Backlinking is essential for SEO, but many professionals hit a wall when their Tier 1 links fail to deliver the expected results. If your backlinks aren’t moving the needle, it might be time to go deeper into your link-building strategy.
Tier 2 backlinks can enhance the power of your existing links, improve your website’s authority, and drive better search rankings. This guide explains everything you need to know about Tier 2 backlinks—what they are, why they matter, and how to use them effectively.
Take back your time spent finding backlinks. Authority Exchange simplifies growing your online authority. Apply to Get In.
Key Takeaways
- Tier 2 backlinks amplify the power of your Tier 1 links by passing link equity and boosting authority.
- Not all Tier 2 links are equal; strategic placement on the right platforms is essential for maximum impact.
- Tier 2 linking is a long-term strategy that requires careful execution to avoid spammy practices.
What is Tier 2 Backlinking?
Tier 2 backlinking refers to the practice of building backlinks to your existing backlinks (Tier 1 links). Instead of linking directly to your website, these secondary links point to the pages that already link to you. The goal is to strengthen those Tier 1 links so they pass more link equity and authority to your site.
For example, if your site gets a backlink from a high-quality guest post, you can build additional links to that guest post to improve its SEO performance. As a result, your original link gets more authority, benefiting your website. Link building services can help you with this, or you can handle outreach and placement manually.
Why is Tier 2 Backlinking Important?
Tier 2 link building plays a crucial role in maximizing the effectiveness of your SEO strategy. Here’s why:
- Strengthens Tier 1 links: Adding backlinks to your primary links increases their authority, making them more impactful.
- Accelerates indexation: Some Tier 1 backlinks take time to get indexed by Google. Tier 2 links help search engines discover and value them faster.
- Enhances link equity flow: By reinforcing Tier 1 links, you ensure a stronger link equity transfer to your site.
- Diversifies your link profile: A well-structured white-hat backlink strategy prevents over-reliance on a single set of backlinks.
What Is Link Equity?
Link equity, also known as “link juice,” is the value or authority passed from one page to another through hyperlinks. It is one of the core factors search engines use to determine rankings. Not all links pass the same amount of equity—factors like domain authority, relevance, and placement influence the strength of a link.
In Tier 2 link building, the goal is to increase the link equity of your Tier 1 backlinks so that more value flows to your website.
Best Tier 2 Backlinks: 10 Examples
When it comes to strengthening your backlinking strategy, Tier 2 links should be built on platforms that can amplify the authority of your Tier 1 backlinks while remaining as natural and organic as possible. Below are the best places to build Tier 2 links to see the best link building benefits, along with detailed explanations and examples of each one.
1. Web 2.0 Blogs
Web 2.0 blogging platforms allow you to create content with embedded links to your Tier 1 sources. These platforms are easy to use, index well in search engines, and provide additional content layers that reinforce your backlink strategy. The key here is to create valuable, informative, and well-written content that naturally includes links to your Tier 1 backlinks. Avoid thin, low-quality content, as search engines may devalue spammy or low-effort posts.
Examples of Web 2.0 Platforms:
- Medium – Great for high-authority content syndication.
- WordPress.com – Free blog hosting with strong indexing potential.
- Blogger – Google-owned platform that integrates well with SEO.
- Tumblr – Works well for short-form posts that include backlinking.
- Ghost – Simple but effective blogging with good link visibility.
2. Social Media Shares
Social media platforms provide a way to amplify Tier 1 backlinks by increasing their visibility, driving engagement, and encouraging organic sharing. While most social media links are nofollow, they still contribute to brand authority, referral traffic, and indirect SEO benefits. When sharing Tier 1 links, optimize posts with compelling descriptions, relevant hashtags, and strategic placements in niche communities or groups.
Examples of Social Media Platforms for Tier 2 Links:
- Twitter – Shares from authoritative profiles help with discovery.
- Facebook Groups – Niche-focused groups allow link discussions.
- LinkedIn Posts – Professional credibility and industry discussions.
- Reddit – Subreddits like r/SEO or r/DigitalMarketing can be effective.
- Pinterest – Pins can drive traffic and indirect authority to Tier 1 links.
3. Niche Forum Posts
Forums remain a valuable place to build contextual Tier 2 links. The key is engagement—dropping links randomly will get them removed or flagged as spam. Instead, actively participate in discussions, provide value, and introduce your Tier 1 link naturally in relevant threads. Make sure to follow forum guidelines and avoid blatant self-promotion. The goal is to position your Tier 1 links as a helpful resource rather than a sales pitch.
Examples of Niche Forum Platforms:
- Warrior Forum – SEO and marketing discussions.
- BlackHatWorld – Discussion-heavy with a focus on link-building tactics.
- Moz Community – SEO-focused forum with high engagement.
- SEOClerk Forum – Marketplace and discussions for link-building.
- SitePoint Forums – Great for digital marketing and web development SEO.
4. Q&A Sites
Q&A platforms like Quora and Stack Exchange are excellent for adding contextual Tier 2 backlinks. Answering industry-related questions and including relevant links to your Tier 1 sources can establish credibility and drive organic traffic. The key is to write genuinely helpful answers that provide value. Avoid stuffing links into responses, as many Q&A platforms monitor for spammy behavior.
Examples of Q&A Platforms:
- Quora – Best for detailed, topic-rich answers.
- Stack Exchange – Great for technical and IT-related discussions.
- Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) – Engaging with communities in real-time.
- Yahoo! Answers (now defunct, but similar platforms exist) – Alternatives include Answerbag and The AnswerBank.
- JustAnswer – More specialized, expert-level Q&A platform.
5. Press Releases
Press releases help build Tier 2 links by distributing backlinks to news sites, aggregators, and industry publications. A well-written press release that includes links to your Tier 1 backlinks can provide credibility and wider exposure. To maximize the impact, focus on distributing press releases through authoritative platforms that have strong SEO value.
Examples of Press Release Distribution Platforms:
- PR Newswire – One of the most recognized press release services.
- Business Wire – Syndicates releases to media and news agencies.
- GlobeNewswire – Great for corporate and industry news.
- PRWeb – A budget-friendly option with solid distribution.
- eReleases – SEO-friendly press release distribution.
6. PBNs (Private Blog Networks) – With Caution
Private Blog Networks (PBNs) can be a powerful Tier 2 tool if used correctly. However, they come with significant risks if Google detects unnatural link-building patterns. If you choose to use PBNs, ensure that they:
- Have unique, high-quality content.
- Are not obviously linked to each other.
- Have a legitimate audience and engagement.
When properly set up, PBNs can provide authority to your Tier 1 links, but they should be used sparingly and strategically.
Examples of PBN Hosting and Setup Services:
- Easy Blog Networks – Automated hosting for PBNs.
- LaunchCDN – Diverse CDN hosting for PBN safety.
- BulkBuyHosting – Custom PBN hosting solutions.
- SeekaHost – Hosting designed for SEO professionals.
- Niche Website Builders – Services that provide PBN setup and management.
7. Directory Listings and Aggregators
Adding Tier 1 links to business directories and content aggregators helps with credibility, indexation, and referral traffic. These platforms often have high domain authority and can pass indirect SEO value to your backlinking structure. Ensure that the directories you use are reputable and relevant to your industry. Spammy or low-quality directories can do more harm than good.
Examples of Directory and Aggregator Platforms:
- Yelp: Business directory with strong domain authority.
- Yellow Pages: Local business listings for credibility.
- Better Business Bureau (BBB): Enhances trust signals.
- Clutch.co: Great for tech and service-based businesses.
- Manta: Business networking and directory services.
8. PDF Submissions
PDF submissions are a hidden gem for Tier 2 linking. What I do is repurpose my Tier 1 content—turn it into a simple PDF (nothing fancy), embed the link in the text, and upload it to document-sharing sites like Scribd, SlideShare, or Issuu. These platforms have strong domain authority, and Google tends to crawl them fast. It’s a great way to give your Tier 1 links extra exposure, encourage indexing, and pass authority through trusted platforms. Plus, these PDFs can sometimes even rank on their own for long-tail terms.
Examples of PDF Submissions Platforms:
- Scribd: Popular reader-focused document sharing.
- YSlideShare: Business-centric slide and document hosting.
- Issuu: Visual-first platform for publication.
9. Blog Comments
Blog comments are one of the easiest and most natural ways to build Tier 2 links. I’m not talking about spammy blasts—I’m talking about manual, niche-relevant comments on real blogs. When I leave a thoughtful comment and include my name or website, sometimes I get a link (usually nofollow), and I’ll drop my Tier 1 link in the website field or contextually if it fits the discussion.
These help diversify my backlink profile, support indexing, and keep things looking natural. They also show Google that the Tier 1 content is being talked about or shared in the community.
I can’t really give you any examples here because that will depend on 1) your topic niche, 2) what sites have comments enabled, 3) being wary of your own “spammy-ness” as you post. Try Google searching: “[keyword] blogs” and seeing what comes up!
10. YouTube Video Descriptions
YouTube is owned by Google, so it makes total sense to use it as part of my Tier 2 strategy. I’ll create a short video—maybe summarizing the blog post or highlighting the topic—and then I drop my Tier 1 link right in the video description. It’s simple, legit, and highly effective. Since YouTube gets crawled constantly, those links get picked up quickly, which helps with indexing. On top of that, if the video gains traction, it can send referral traffic to the Tier 1 content. It’s an extra layer of visibility and trust from a platform Google already favors.
This is a “heavy lift” strategy because you will need to start a YouTube channel and create content for it before you can start linking. If you have the resources, there are plenty of great YouTube video editors on sites like Upwork and Fiverr.
Final Thoughts
Building Tier 2 backlinks strategically helps strengthen your Tier 1 links and improves overall site authority. However, quality over quantity is key—focus on platforms that provide real value rather than spammy link drops. When executed correctly, a well-structured Tier 2 backlink strategy can significantly enhance your website’s SEO and ranking potential.
When to Build Tier 2 Links
Timing is crucial for effective Tier 2 backlinking. Here are some strategic insights:
- After securing high-quality Tier 1 links – Focus on strengthening strong backlinks, not weak ones.
- When a Tier 1 link isn’t indexed yet – If Google hasn’t indexed your primary link, Tier 2 links can speed up the process.
- If a Tier 1 link isn’t ranking well – Additional link equity from Tier 2 links can improve rankings.
- To reinforce a high-performing page – If a Tier 1 link is performing well, boosting it further can drive more authority to your website.
How to Find Tiered Link Building Opportunities
Identifying the right opportunities for Tier 2 backlinks is key to making this strategy work. Here are three methods:
- Analyze Your Existing Tier 1 Links
Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to analyze which Tier 1 backlinks have strong potential but need reinforcement. Focus on high-authority links that can benefit from added link equity. - Leverage Competitor Research
Look at what your competitors are doing by analyzing their backlink profiles. If they have strong Tier 1 links, examine whether they are using Tier 2 strategies and replicate their success. - Find High-Engagement Communities
Identify forums, niche blogs, and social platforms where your Tier 1 content is relevant. Engaging in meaningful discussions and sharing your Tier 1 content can generate high-quality Tier 2 links organically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions people also ask me when talking about tiered link building strategies and backlinking more generally.
What is a tiered link building strategy, and how does it help SEO?
A tiered link building strategy involves structuring backlinks in multiple layers to strengthen search engine rankings while keeping the link profile natural.
First tier links point directly to your website, while second-tier backlinks and second-tier links amplify the power of those primary backlinks by passing authority through high-quality backlinks, quality links, and tier backlinks.
This approach enhances credibility while reducing the risk of search engine penalties, making it a valuable part of any link building campaign or link building technique.
How do search engine rankings work, and what factors influence them?
Search engine rankings are determined by complex algorithms that analyze multiple factors like page authority, domain rating, and overall optimization of a website.
Search engines evaluate metrics such as backlinks, content quality, and keyword relevance to determine a site’s position in the SERPs. A well-optimized site with high-quality content and strong backlinks can improve its visibility and credibility in search engine rankings.
What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow links, and how do they affect SEO?
Dofollow links pass link equity to the target page, directly influencing search engine rankings, whereas nofollow links do not transfer SEO value but still provide traffic and visibility.
Proper use of anchor text ensures that search engines understand the relevance of a link, improving its effectiveness. While outbound links are necessary for credibility, excessive low-quality links or engagement in a link scheme can harm a site’s reputation and trigger penalties.
What are the best methods for acquiring high-quality directory links?
Submitting your website to directory links and listings is a strategic way to boost authority and improve search engine rankings. Avoid spammy black hat techniques and focus on reputable directories.
Outreach campaigns can help secure placements in industry-specific directories, and using bookmarking sites can further distribute your content. Regular edits to directory listings ensure that your information remains accurate and effective for local and organic search visibility.
How does website structure impact SEO and backlinking efforts?
The way web pages are structured plays a crucial role in search engine rankings and the effectiveness of a tiered link building strategy.
A well-organized main site makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index content, improving the impact of first tier links and primary backlinks. Additionally, website owners should focus on content relevance, internal linking, and optimized metadata to maximize link equity and SEO benefits.
What Next?
Tier 2 backlinking is an advanced strategy that can significantly enhance your overall SEO efforts. By understanding how link equity works and strategically placing Tier 2 links, you can amplify your Tier 1 backlinks and push your website higher in search rankings. Just remember—quality and relevance matter more than sheer volume. Execute your strategy carefully, and your Tier 2 backlinks will work in your favor for long-term success.
Relevant, contextual: the type of backlinks you actually want. Get them with Authority Exchange. Apply Now.
