Link Reclamation: A Beginner's Guide

Table of Contents

How to Execute a Successful Link Reclamation Strategy

Why Choose Hike SEO for Your Link Reclamation Needs?

In the ever-evolving world of search engine optimization (SEO), link building is one of the most discussed strategies. But while most SEO professionals are busy chasing new backlinks, a significant amount of "link equity" is often left on the table due to broken or lost links. This is where link reclamation steps in—a strategic approach to recovering lost SEO value.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what link reclamation is, delve into its benefits, explore how to implement it step-by-step (with examples), and answer commonly asked questions. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to make link reclamation an integral part of your SEO strategy.

What Is Link Reclamation?

Link reclamation is the process of identifying and fixing broken, removed, or unlinked mentions of your site to regain lost link equity. Backlinks are like votes of confidence from other websites, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. When these links break or disappear, it’s like losing votes—and your website’s authority and rankings can take a hit.

Link reclamation typically addresses four main scenarios:

Broken Backlinks: Links pointing to 404 error pages on your site due to changes in your URL structure, content deletion, or misspellings in the link.
Lost Backlinks: Backlinks that have been removed by the linking website or replaced with links to other content.
Unlinked Mentions: Brand mentions on other websites that don’t link back to your site.
Redirected Links: Links that point to an old URL but are not redirected to the correct page on your site.

Why Is Link Reclamation Important?

Restores Lost Link Equity

Backlinks transfer “link equity” (SEO value) to your site. If a high-authority website links to your content, search engines use that as a signal to rank your page higher. When a link breaks or is lost, you lose this equity. Reclaiming the link helps you recover that lost value.

Example:
Imagine a high-authority site like Forbes linked to an article on your site about sustainable fashion. If that link breaks due to a URL change, the equity from that link is lost. By reclaiming it—perhaps by setting up a 301 redirect—you can restore the value and maintain your rankings.

Boosts SEO Without Extra Costs

Link reclamation leverages existing backlinks rather than building new ones from scratch, making it one of the most cost-effective SEO strategies.

Example:
Instead of spending time and money reaching out to new sites for backlinks, you could use tools like Hike SEO to identify broken backlinks and fix them in a fraction of the time.

Improves User Experience (UX)

Broken links create a poor user experience. Reclaiming links ensures users can navigate your site without encountering frustrating 404 errors.

Example:
A blog post on another site may link to a now-deleted page on your site. If a visitor clicks on that link, they’ll land on an error page, potentially damaging your reputation. By redirecting the link to a relevant, live page, you not only improve UX but also retain potential leads.

Strengthens Relationships with Webmasters

Reaching out to fix broken links or unlinked mentions builds relationships with other site owners, which could lead to future collaborations.

How to Execute a Successful Link Reclamation Strategy

Step 1: Audit Your Backlink Profile

Use tools like Hike SEO, or Google Search Console to analyze your backlink profile. These tools can help you identify:

Backlinks that point to broken pages.
Backlinks that have been removed.
Unlinked brand mentions.

Step 2: Identify Broken or Missing Pages

Use a crawler tool like Hike SEO or Screaming Frog to scan your website for pages that return 404 errors or other issues. Cross-reference these results with your backlink audit to identify pages that need attention.

Example:
If a blog post titled "10 Tips for Home Gardening" was deleted but had 15 backlinks, Hike SEO or Screaming Frog would flag the deleted page, and you can decide whether to restore it or redirect those links to another relevant page.

Step 3: Set Up 301 Redirects

For broken backlinks, set up 301 redirects from the broken URL to a relevant live page. This ensures users and link equity are directed to the correct destination.

Example:
If you deleted a product page but still have backlinks pointing to it, redirect those links to a new product page or category page with similar content.

Step 4: Reach Out to Webmasters

For links broken due to issues on the linking site (e.g., misspelled URLs), contact the webmaster and politely request an update. Be sure to:

Provide the correct URL.
Explain the value of linking to the updated page.

Example Email Template:

Subject: Quick Fix for a Link to [Website Name]
Hi [Name],
I noticed that one of your articles ([insert article title]) links to a page on my site that no longer exists ([insert broken URL]). The correct URL is [insert new URL].
Updating the link will ensure your readers have a seamless experience and access to the right information. Thanks so much for considering this fix!
Best regards,
[Your Name]

Step 5: Monitor Brand Mentions

Use tools like BuzzSumo or Mention to track brand mentions online. When you find unlinked mentions, contact the site owner and request a link.

Example:
If a news article mentions your brand but doesn’t link to your homepage, reach out and request a link to improve your SEO and referral traffic.

Step 6: Keep URLs Stable

Avoid future link losses by implementing URL best practices, such as:

Using consistent naming conventions.
Setting up proper redirects during site migrations.
Regularly auditing your site for broken links.

Advanced Tips for Link Reclamation

Use Anchor Text Reports: Look for backlinks with incorrect or suboptimal anchor text and request updates to align them with your target keywords.
Focus on High-Authority Sites: Prioritize reclaiming links from domains with high Domain Authority (DA), as they have the most significant impact on rankings.
Combine Reclamation with Link Building: When reaching out to webmasters, suggest additional opportunities for linking to other relevant content on your site.

Real-World Example of Link Reclamation

Scenario:
A SaaS company noticed a drop in organic traffic to their blog post about project management tools. Upon investigation, they discovered several high-authority backlinks were pointing to a now-deleted URL.

Solution:
The SEO team:

1
Restored the blog post with updated content.
2
Used Hike SEO to identify all broken backlinks.
3
Reached out to webmasters with the updated link.

Outcome:
Traffic to the blog post recovered within weeks, and the page climbed back to the top of the SERPs.

FAQs About Link Reclamation

What’s the difference between link reclamation and link building?

Link reclamation involves fixing or reclaiming lost links, while link building focuses on acquiring new backlinks.

Can I automate link reclamation?

While tools like Hike SEO or Screaming Frog can automate audits, outreach requires a personal touch for best results.

What if the linking site refuses to update the link?

If a webmaster refuses to fix a broken link, consider setting up a redirect to ensure you still capture some value.

Should I reclaim low-quality backlinks?

Focus on high-quality backlinks first. If low-quality links point to a broken page, assess whether they’re worth reclaiming.

Does link reclamation work for small websites?

Yes! Small websites with even a handful of backlinks can benefit from reclaiming lost link equity.

Why Choose Hike SEO for Your Link Reclamation Needs?

Hike SEO simplifies link reclamation and overall SEO management. With our platform, you can conduct in-depth backlink audits. Let Hike SEO handle the heavy lifting while you focus on growing your business.

Ready to reclaim your SEO potential? Sign up for Hike SEO today and watch your rankings soar!