With over 2 million podcasts available worldwide, it’s likely that no matter your industry, there are countless podcasts where you could become a guest. Not only is podcast guesting an excellent way to build your brand, but it also offers substantial link building opportunities.
By leveraging podcast appearances, you can earn high-quality backlinks to your website, boost your domain authority, and introduce your brand to a completely new audience.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how podcast link building works and how you can effectively use it to drive more traffic and improve your search engine ranking.
Podcast link building is the process of pitching yourself to be a guest on industry-relevant podcasts. As a guest, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss a topic you’re passionate about or one that aligns with your brand’s values, and in return, you’ll earn a backlink to your website from the podcast episode page.
For example, a Mastermind.fm podcast, and the episode page included a direct link back. These types of backlinks are powerful because they come from high-authority sites and podcasts that already have an engaged audience.
When you target the right podcasts, you’re virtually guaranteed to receive a link back, making podcast guesting an effective link-building strategy.
Podcast link building has numerous advantages, both in terms of improving SEO and raising awareness about your brand. Here are three of the primary benefits:
Most podcast episodes are about 60 minutes long, which makes this a time-efficient method for obtaining backlinks. Compared to other content marketing strategies, the time investment is relatively low, especially when you factor in the long-term SEO benefits of high-quality backlinks.
By earning links from podcasts that have strong domain authority, you can significantly boost your own website’s authority. Podcast backlinks tend to pass more link equity than many other types of backlinks, especially if the podcast is hosted on a high-authority platform like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Appearing on a podcast is also an excellent way to showcase your expertise to a new audience. Podcasts often attract listeners who are deeply engaged in specific niches, meaning you can reach a highly targeted group. This exposure can lead to new customers, followers, or even further collaboration opportunities.
Building links through podcasts involves four clear steps: finding industry podcasts, vetting the shows, pitching them, and recording your episode. Let’s break down each of these steps.
The first step in podcast link building is identifying the right podcasts to target. A list of the best podcasts in your industry is crucial to maximize the chances of success. Here are some proven ways to discover relevant podcasts:
Search Google: Google is your best friend when it comes to finding podcasts in your niche. A simple search like “best [industry] podcasts” will lead you to plenty of lists that highlight top industry shows. You can also find podcast carousels in the search results, which give direct links to some of the most popular podcasts in your field.
Use Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts is one of the largest platforms for podcasts. Use the app to search for your topic and select the “See All” option to browse through all related shows. Record the podcast names and their URLs in a spreadsheet for easy tracking.
Reverse Engineer Prolific Podcasters: If you know influential podcasters in your industry, try reverse-engineering their podcast guest appearances. Tools like Ahrefs Site Explorer allow you to search for the websites of prolific guests. From there, you can filter results to identify episode pages and podcast URLs that are worth adding to your list.
Not all podcasts are created equal. Some may have large audiences but lack strong backlink profiles, while others may be less popular but offer valuable links. To make sure you’re targeting the right shows, you’ll need to vet them carefully. Here’s a quick vetting process:
Use Ahrefs for Link Data: You can run the podcast URLs through Ahrefs’ Batch Analysis tool to check their Domain Rating (DR). The DR metric shows how strong a site’s backlink profile is. Podcasts with a high DR will pass more authority to your site.
Check for Backlink Potential: Before pitching, ensure that the podcasts you’ve selected link to their guests. Some podcasts don’t provide backlinks, so focus on those that do.
Active Podcasts: Double-check that the podcasts are still active. Look for signs of recent episodes and engagement. If the podcast hasn’t released an episode in months or has stopped releasing new content, it may be time to remove it from your list.
Once you’ve found and vetted the best podcasts, it’s time to pitch. Crafting an effective pitch is essential to increase your chances of getting accepted as a guest. Here’s how to do it:
Follow the Application Process: If the podcast has a specific process for submitting guest pitches, follow it to the letter. Many podcasts have submission forms, and failing to use them could harm your chances.
Craft Your Pitch: Your pitch should be clear, concise, and professional. Include the three key elements:
Pro Tip: Personalize your pitch. If you’ve already discussed similar topics or have written content on the subject, provide examples that demonstrate your expertise.
The recording process itself is relatively simple. Once your pitch is accepted, you’ll schedule your recording session. Here’s how to make sure your recording goes smoothly:
Invest in Equipment: A good microphone is a must to ensure clear audio quality. Cheap microphones can make you sound unprofessional and may reduce your credibility.
Find a Quiet Place: Avoid noisy environments like coffee shops. A quiet, well-lit room will make a huge difference in the recording quality.
Be Prepared: Most podcast hosts will guide the conversation, but it helps to have notes or key points ready. Familiarize yourself with the show’s format, its typical guests, and any topics previously discussed.
Once you’ve recorded your episode, the host will typically notify you when it goes live. It may take a few weeks, so be patient.
Yes, hosting your own podcast can also attract backlinks, especially if you feature guests who have their own audiences. When people mention your podcast or reference it in their content, it can drive valuable links back to your site.
However, hosting a podcast solely for link-building purposes can be time-consuming and demanding. It requires planning, content creation, and ongoing promotion. Therefore, it’s recommended to see hosting a podcast as an additional avenue for exposure rather than the primary method of link building.
Podcasts are a fantastic, underutilized tool for gaining backlinks and increasing your brand’s visibility. Not only do you get to position yourself as an expert in your field, but you also introduce your brand to fresh audiences. Remember, podcasting is not only about gaining links—it’s about building connections, engaging with listeners, and sharing valuable insights.
By following these steps, you can harness the power of podcasts to boost your website’s SEO, attract new audiences, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
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