Ultimate Guide to Ecommerce Link Building for 2025

If you’re running an ecommerce site in 2025, here’s one thing you can’t afford to ignore: ecommerce link building. With more online stores entering the game and Google tightening the screws on link spam and site reputation abuse, standing out in search engines is no walk in the park. Whether you’re a startup or an established brand, getting seen today means playing smarter—and that starts with your link-building strategy.

Let’s be real—earning links to your product pages or category pages is a whole different beast compared to linking to a catchy blog post. Those money pages don’t always scream “link-worthy content,” which makes it even more important to get creative and strategic.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about ecommerce link building—what works now, what to avoid, and where to find golden opportunities in 2025. From strategy breakdowns to quality checks and new link sources, this is your go-to resource to help your ecommerce website rise through the search results, without the guesswork.

What Is Ecommerce Link Building?

Alright, let’s clear the air—ecommerce link building isn’t just your regular link building with a fancier name. It’s a specialized approach tailored for online stores, and trust me, it comes with its own set of challenges.

At its core, link building is the process of getting other websites to link back to your content. These backlinks act like little votes of confidence, telling search engines like Google, “Hey, this page is worth showing in the top search results.” But when you’re running an ecommerce site, it’s not as simple as dropping a great blog and hoping for the best.

Why? Because your product pages and category pages don’t usually have in-depth content or viral appeal. They’re designed to convert, not educate or entertain. That makes it harder to attract natural links or spark interest from other websites.

Still, here’s why it matters: strong backlinks boost your site’s visibility, help you show up in Shopping results, and build trust with buyers and Google. That means more clicks, sales, and a better shot at competing with big-name ecommerce brands.

Strategy Framework: Page Types × Link Tactics × SEO Value

Let’s break down ecommerce link-building strategies into something you can actually use—no fluff, just a smart game plan. Think of this like your cheat sheet for deciding which link-building techniques to use, where to apply them, and how much effort to expect in return.

We will match up page types (like your product pages, category pages, and blog) with proven link-building tactics and show you the kind of SEO value they bring to the table. Whether you’re aiming to increase organic traffic, boost site visibility, or just get more eyes on your ecommerce website, this is the roadmap.

Each tactic comes with trade-offs, so it really depends on your ecommerce business goals. If you’re looking for high-quality links that’ll seriously move the needle in search engines, then digital PR and creating linkable assets are worth the hustle. For quick wins, niche edits or building affiliate partnerships can fill in the gaps, especially for those hard-to-link product pages.

And if you’ve never tried broken link building, don’t worry—we’ll talk more about that soon. Spoiler: it’s one of the most underrated tactics out there for scoring relevant links from other websites.

Homepage Link Building Strategies

Your homepage is the front door of your ecommerce website, and one of the best places to focus your ecommerce link-building efforts. It usually has the highest domain authority, so earning backlinks here can give your entire link profile a boost.

Use Digital PR and Brand Storytelling

One of the most powerful ways to build high-quality backlinks to your homepage is through digital PR campaigns. Got a cool founder origin story or a unique spin on your product? Pitch it to journalists, bloggers, or even podcasts. These kinds of personal narratives help position your ecommerce brand as newsworthy.

Don’t sleep on HARO (Help A Reporter Out) either—just one quote can land you a link from an authoritative site.

Turn Brand Mentions Into Backlinks

People might already be talking about your ecommerce store—they’re just not linking to it. That’s where brand mentions come in. Use tools like Google Alerts to spot unlinked mentions of your brand name across other websites. Then, reach out and politely ask for a backlink. This tactic is low effort and perfect for building natural links.

Leverage Reactive News for Fast Wins

Timing is everything. When news breaks that’s even remotely tied to your niche, jump on it. Contribute a fresh perspective or share expert advice—especially if you’re in a fast-moving space like fashion, beauty, or tech. This strategy helps you score external links quickly and positions your ecommerce business as timely and relevant.

Master Internal Linking from the Homepage

While external ecommerce links are key, don’t forget about your internal structure. Use your homepage to link to your top category pages, product pages, blog content, and FAQs. Not only does this support navigation, but it also helps search engines crawl your ecommerce site more effectively and pass on valuable link equity.

Category & Product Listing Pages (PLPs)

Let’s be honest—category pages and product pages aren’t exactly the internet’s most exciting destinations. They’re built to sell, not to entertain or educate, which makes earning relevant links to them a serious challenge. But don’t worry—some smart workarounds can bring big SEO wins.

Use Guest Posts to Deep Link Strategically

One underrated link-building technique? Writing a guest post that includes a deep link to a category page or a high-value product listing. If you’re contributing to a blog in your niche, weave your link naturally into the content—maybe as part of a product roundup or a helpful buyer’s guide. It’s a solid way to build links where they matter most.

Pro tip: Focus on relevant websites that already discuss products or shopping guides. If the context makes sense, these are more likely to accept links to commercial pages.

Pitch Resource Roundups or Expert Commentary

Another way to earn links to “unsexy” pages? Get creative. Pitch yourself as an expert for category-specific commentary, especially in curated resource roundups. If your ecommerce site sells eco-friendly pet products, for example, offer tips for sustainable pet care and include a link to your category page for eco-pet toys.

You can also contact website owners who post roundup-style content and suggest your category or product listing as a helpful resource.

Tie in Evergreen Content to Support PLPs

If you’re struggling to get backlinks to a product page directly, create a supporting blog post that naturally links to it. This tactic gives you more flexibility to reach out for links, since blog posts are easier to pitch than product pages.

Think of these as linkable assets—pieces of content that add real value while funneling authority to your sales pages.

Niche Outreach Can Still Work

Sometimes, a simple email goes a long way. Reach out to relevant sites in your niche and suggest why your product listings or category pages might be helpful to their readers. This approach requires personalization and a little hustle, but it can lead to solid link placements.

Product Detail Pages (PDPs)

Let’s be real: product pages are the hardest to earn backlinks. They’re designed to sell, not to inform or entertain. But that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to promote in your ecommerce link-building strategy. You must approach them differently—with smart angles and high-impact tactics.

Here’s how to make those PDPs link-worthy:

Get Featured in Affiliate Editorial Reviews

These are your bread and butter. Think product listicles, buyer guides, and gift roundups. Editors love these because they drive conversions, and you benefit from affiliate partnerships and juicy backlinks.

• Target blogs or media sites that publish “Best of” lists
• Pitch your product with a unique value angle.
• Focus on securing high-quality links directly to PDPs

Monitor HARO & #journorequest for Easy Wins

Journalists are constantly looking for product recommendations. Use services like HARO or monitor hashtags like #journorequest to jump on relevant opportunities.

• Respond quickly with product info and images.
• Highlight seasonal relevance or trending angles.
• Great for building natural links and referral traffic

Use Seasonality in Digital PR Campaigns

Tie your products into timely campaigns—holidays, awareness months, or shopping events. Seasonal angles are more appealing to both journalists and audiences.

• Pitch Valentine’s Day gifts, summer must-haves, etc.
• Launch digital PR campaigns around limited-edition drops.
• Perfect for getting ecommerce links from press outlets

Collaborate with Influencers for Social Proof

Even if their influencer/affiliate links are nofollow, the buzz they generate helps. Plus, other bloggers might discover your product through them and include it in their content.

• Choose influencers with niche audiences.
• Offer affiliate commissions to sweeten the deal.
• Builds long-term visibility for ecommerce brands

Your product detail pages may not go viral, but they don’t need to. With the right tactics, they can still attract relevant links, boost visibility, and drive conversions.

Blog Link Building (Content Hub for Link Equity)

Struggling to get links to your product pages? You’re not alone—and that’s exactly why your blog needs to be the MVP of your ecommerce link-building strategy. Here’s how to turn your blog into a link magnet and a powerful support hub for your entire ecommerce site.

Problem: No One Wants to Link to Your Product Listings

Your commercial pages are important for sales, but let’s be honest, they’re not super “linkable.”

Solution: Build a Blog That Attracts Links Naturally
Your blog gives you space to create link-worthy content—think guides, how-tos, thought leadership, or data-driven posts. These can be promoted more easily and act as a stepping stone for internal linking to your key category pages and PDPs.

Problem: You’re Not Sure What to Write About

Most ecommerce blogs publish generic content that gets ignored.

Solution: Reverse Engineer What Works
Use tools like Ahrefs to analyze competitor links—see what blog posts are attracting relevant backlinks. Then, build better versions using the skyscraper technique: longer, deeper, more actionable. You’re not guessing—you’re upgrading.

Problem: No One Sees Your Content

You published a killer blog post… but nobody’s linking to it.

Solution: Do Smart, Targeted Outreach
Don’t wait around—send your blog to content curators, niche bloggers, and relevant publishers. Show them why it’s valuable and how it helps their audience. Bonus points if it fills a gap on their site (like a missing resource).

Problem: Your Blog Doesn’t Help SEO

Great traffic, but your rankings aren’t improving?

Solution: Strengthen Internal Linking
Use your top-performing blog posts to pass link equity to deeper pages, especially your product and category pages. This helps boost their visibility in search results and reinforces your site’s structure for search engines.

When done right, your blog becomes more than just a content hub—it becomes your SEO launchpad, outreach tool, and internal link engine. It’s hands-down one of the most important link-building techniques in your 2025 playbook.

FAQ and Support Content

FAQ pages and support articles are often overlooked in ecommerce link building, but here’s the truth: they’re secret SEO gold. These pages answer real questions from potential buyers and hit long-tail search queries your competitors might ignore.

Let’s break it down.

Why Should I Bother with FAQs for Link Building?

Because people Google everything. From “how long does shipping take?” to “what if my smart lock battery dies?”—these are commercially relevant questions with real traffic potential. When you create support content that answers these, you naturally target long-tail keywords and earn organic traffic.

Plus, well-written support content doubles as linkable assets, especially if it solves problems better than anyone else online.

What Makes Support Content Link-Worthy?

Not every FAQ is created equal. The ones that actually attract relevant backlinks tend to:

• Solve real UX pain points (e.g., returns, delivery delays, sizing confusion)
• Offer unique guidance or visuals (like troubleshooting GIFs or comparison tables)
• Use schema markup to show in search results as featured answers.
• Link internally to your category pages or product pages to pass authority

Support articles that go beyond “shipping takes 5–7 business days” and dive into real concerns build trust, and earn quality links from other websites trying to help their audience.

How Do I Get People to Link to These Pages?

Easy: meet them where they’re asking questions. Look at forums like Reddit, Quora, or niche product groups. If someone’s asking a question your FAQ answers, drop a thoughtful reply and link to your article.

You can also contact industry blogs and pitch your support content as a helpful resource. If your sizing guide solves a common issue across multiple ecommerce brands, bloggers will gladly link to it because it adds value to their readers.

When you treat FAQ and support content as more than an afterthought, you unlock a hidden layer of SEO potential. These pages may not be glamorous, but they can pull in natural links, build trust, and support your entire ecommerce link-building strategy.

Broken Link & Unlinked Brand Mention Strategies

Sometimes the best ecommerce link-building opportunities are the ones already out there—you just have to find them and offer a better alternative. That’s where broken link building and unlinked brand mentions come in. Both strategies are incredibly effective, low-cost, and great for scaling your link-building campaign without constantly creating new content.

Here’s your 4-step playbook:

Step 1: Find Broken Link Opportunities

Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to run a competitor backlink analysis. Filter for pages with 404 errors. These links point to dead pages on competitor sites—and they’re just sitting there, waiting to be replaced.

Look for content you already have (or can create quickly) that covers the same topic. If you sell eco-friendly travel gear and a blog links to a dead “eco-travel checklist,” offer your version as the fix.

Step 2: Reach Out with a Helpful Pitch

Once you’ve found the broken links, contact the website owners or editors. Be polite, helpful, and direct.

Here’s a simple email script:

Subject: Quick heads-up—broken link on your [Article Title]

Hi [Name],
I was reading your awesome article on [Topic], and I noticed one of the links is no longer working ([insert broken link]).

I actually have a similar resource on [related topic] that might be a great replacement. Feel free to use it if it helps your readers.

Thanks and keep up the great content!
– [Your Name]

If you don’t hear back after a few days, follow up once. People are busy, but many appreciate the heads-up.

Step 3: Track Unlinked Brand Mentions

Set up Google Alerts or use a tool like Brand24 to monitor when someone mentions your ecommerce brand but forgets to link. It happens all the time.

This is a low-effort win. A quick email saying “Hey, thanks for the mention—would you mind adding a link to our site for context?” usually does the trick. These are some of the easiest ecommerce links you’ll ever earn.

Step 4: Build a Follow-Up Workflow

To scale these tactics, systemize your outreach. Create a weekly routine to:

• Check for new broken links
• Review unlinked brand mentions.
• Use templates for quick, personalized follow-ups.
• Track responses and link placements in a spreadsheet

When done consistently, broken link building and brand mention outreach can help you build dozens of high-quality links over time, all without creating new linkable assets from scratch.

Digital PR Campaigns

If you’re tired of chasing backlinks individually, let’s talk about digital PR campaigns—the big-league tactic for earning high-quality links at scale. Done right, a single campaign can land you coverage in top publications, mentions in viral social posts, and backlinks from reputable sites that your competitors dream about.

So, how do you stand out in 2025? Hint: You don’t need gimmicks. Just a solid story.

Launch Something That’s Worth Talking About

People love sharing what’s new, especially if it’s clever, bold, or solves a real-world problem. If your ecommerce brand is launching a unique product or service, that’s your moment. Pitch the story, not the SKU.

Example: A sustainable bedding brand launching a compostable pillowcase. That’s not just a product—it’s a story. And editors eat that up.

This kind of content can earn you quality links from news sites, eco-focused blogs, and other websites covering innovation and sustainability.

Lean Into Socially Responsible Campaigns

One of the strongest ways to gain earned media is to do something that matters. Whether it’s a donation match program, an ethical sourcing initiative, or a community giveback, people love to share stories that reflect their values.

For example, consider REI’s #OptOutside or brands that close their shops on Black Friday to support mental health. These campaigns earn natural links, go viral on social, and position your brand as a leader, not just a seller.

It’s not just good press. It’s good ecommerce link building.

Form Partnerships That Elevate Both Brands

Collabs are another secret weapon in your PR arsenal. When done authentically, they can amplify your reach, double your audience, and open the door to affiliate partnerships and influencer coverage.

Example: Our Place x Selena Gomez—two powerhouse audiences, one beautiful collection, and a flurry of roundups and press mentions. The editorial coverage alone made it worth the effort.

Make Editors’ Jobs Easier with Roundup-Ready Pitches

Media outlets constantly curate editorial roundups—from “Top Kitchen Gifts Under $50” to “Sustainable Brands to Watch.” The easier you make their job, the better your chance of getting featured.

To earn those ecommerce links, create a pitch that’s:

• Clear and concise
• Includes lifestyle images and specs
• Ties into a seasonal or trending angle

No fluff, no gimmicks—just newsworthy, timely stories that get people (and publishers) talking.

The beauty of digital PR campaigns? They build quality links, elevate your brand, and work long after the headlines fade. That’s a win in every direction.

Affiliate Editorial Reviews (New & Powerful Strategy)

If you’re only thinking about backlinks in the form of guest posts or mentions in blog comments, it’s time for a mindset shift. Let’s talk about one of the hottest trends in ecommerce link building right now: affiliate editorial reviews.

These aren’t your average product mentions. We’re talking about long-form, expert-written content placed on high-traffic, high-trust websites—strategically designed to drive organic traffic, boost conversions, and generate quality links all at once.

What Are Affiliate Editorial Reviews?

Think of them as the love child between SEO and influencer marketing. Except instead of a sponsored Instagram post, it’s a deeply researched article on a third-party site with real editorial weight.

You’ll often see them on trusted lifestyle, shopping, or tech platforms, and they fall into a few different formats:

Types of Affiliate Editorials

• Brand Editorials – Help build awareness and trust for new or niche ecommerce brands
• Product Reviews – Dive deep into a specific product page to help convert shoppers
• Evergreen Guides – Attract steady organic traffic through SEO-friendly how-to content.
• Best-Of Listicles – Capture comparison shoppers in the “almost ready to buy” phase
• Gift Guides – Win seasonal traffic from high-intent audiences during holidays

Why These Reviews Work

The marketing benefits go beyond just backlinks:

• Earn high-authority backlinks from domains with DR 70+
• Bring in long-term organic traffic without spending on ads.
• Add instant credibility and editorial trust during the buying journey.
• Improve conversion rates with third-party validation.
• Reduce dependence on paid media by ranking organically.

This is more than just ecommerce link building—it’s full-funnel marketing.

Real Results from Real Brands

Let’s look at what happens when this strategy is executed well:

• A wine subscription company saw 125,000+ impressions in 30 days from one editorial
• A fashion brand earned 40+ backlinks through an evergreen editorial guide.
• Several ecommerce clients reported higher domain authority and better conversion rates post-placement

These aren’t vanity metrics—these are tangible results tied directly to revenue.

Pro Tip for Execution

Not all editorial placements are created equal. To ensure you’re investing in content that ranks, converts, and builds long-term value, consider partnering with platforms like LeadAdvisors. You’ll get editorial control, data-backed placements, and guaranteed ROI.

Bottom line? Affiliate editorial reviews are the next evolution in link-building techniques—and they’re especially powerful for product pages that usually struggle to attract natural links.

Influencer and Partnership-Based Links

Not all ecommerce link building has to start with cold outreach or technical audits. Sometimes, it’s about relationships. Influencers, bloggers, and cross-brand partnerships offer a powerful way to earn quality links, boost visibility, and reach audiences that already trust the messenger.

Here’s how to do it right—and ethically.

Collaborate with Bloggers Who Have SEO Value

Influencer marketing is often focused on reach, but when it comes to link building, you want bloggers with real domain authority. A sponsored blog post or product review on a site with DR 40+ will help you earn both referral traffic and SEO power.

Look for bloggers who:

• Regularly publish in your niche
• Have a history of ranking content.
• Are open to do-follow sponsored reviews with proper disclosures

A well-placed influencer/affiliate link can do more than boost awareness—it can pass link equity from other websites you usually wouldn’t get access to.

Form Strategic Ecommerce Brand Alliances

Teaming up with other ecommerce brands—even outside your vertical—is a smart way to earn natural links through collaboration.

For example:

• A skincare brand teams up with a wellness tea company for a co-branded bundle
• Both brands publish blogs, send newsletters, and earn external links from industry news outlets.

This cross-promotion strategy creates organic buzz and doubles your chances of being featured in roundups or gift guides.

Use Affiliates for More Than Just SEO

Affiliate partnerships are great for sales, but they also boost your link profile—even if some links are tagged “nofollow.” Over time, these relationships can turn into editorial coverage, podcast features, or organic backlinks from partners who genuinely love your product.

Bonus: Affiliates who are content creators often write blog posts, listicles, and comparisons that drive both conversion and search visibility.

Disclose Sponsored Reviews—But Make Them Count

Transparency matters. If you’re paying for a mention or review, ensure the blogger includes a disclosure. That doesn’t mean the link can’t carry value—it just means you’re building trust the right way.

Even nofollow links can drive referral traffic, spark other websites to link organically, or get picked up in larger editorial coverage.

At the end of the day, relationship-based linking is less about scale and more about strategy. Build partnerships with intent, and your ecommerce link-building strategy will benefit long after the post goes live.

Link Quality, Anchor Text & Risk Management

When it comes to ecommerce link building, one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing only on quantity. But Google doesn’t just care about how many links you have—it cares about the quality, the context, and how “natural” your link profile looks over time.

Let’s bust some common myths and set the record straight.

Myth #1: “A Link Is a Link. Just Get As Many As Possible.”

Reality: Not all links are created equal.
A link from a reputable site with high domain authority is infinitely more valuable than ten spammy links from low-quality blogs. Focus on earning quality links from relevant sites in your niche. Too many junky links can actually drag down your rankings—or worse, earn you a penalty.

Myth #2: “Use Exact-Match Anchors to Rank for Your Keyword.”

Reality: That’s a fast track to getting flagged.
If your anchor text says “best budget earbuds” every single time, Google will notice. A strong anchor mix includes branded anchors (“Sony Audio”), generic anchors (“click here”), and partial-match phrases (“top earbuds under $50”) to build a natural link profile.

Myth #3: “Private Blog Networks (PBNs) Still Work If You’re Discreet.”

Reality: No, they don’t.
PBNs are risky, outdated, and easy to spot. Even if they work in the short term, they often leave a toxic backlink footprint that can get your entire ecommerce website penalized. Same goes for shady homepage redirects and link swaps—just don’t do it.

Myth #4: “Nofollow and Sponsored Links Are Useless.”

Reality: They still have value.
While nofollow and sponsored attributes may not pass traditional PageRank, they can still drive referral traffic, support brand awareness, and diversify your link profile. Google even considers them a signal in some cases, especially when tied to trusted content.

Myth #5: “The More Links I Get at Once, the Faster I’ll Rank.”

Reality: That’s how you trip Google’s alarms.
Sudden surges in links (aka unnatural link velocity) look suspicious unless they’re tied to something explainable, like a viral campaign or media coverage. The goal should always be sustainable, long-term growth through consistent link-building efforts.

In short: build smart, not sketchy. A clean, balanced approach to ecommerce link building will protect your rankings and strengthen your brand’s authority for years to come.

In-House vs. Agency Execution

Once your ecommerce link-building strategy is ready to go, the big question is: Who’s executing it? Whether you choose to keep your link-building efforts in-house or outsource to an agency, each path comes with pros and cons.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help you choose what works best for your brand:

Some ecommerce brands opt for a hybrid model—keeping strategy and brand voice internal while working with an agency for scalable execution. Whether you go solo or bring in help, what matters most is consistency, quality, and alignment with your bigger SEO strategy.

Link Building That Moves the Needle in Ecommerce SEO

If there’s one big takeaway from this guide, it’s this: ecommerce link building isn’t about chasing as many links as possible—it’s about earning the right ones.

In 2025 and beyond, the brands winning at ecommerce SEO are those that play the long game. They don’t rely on hacks or low-effort tactics. Instead, they focus on building quality links through trust, value, and relevance.

• Invest in evergreen linkable assets that continue to attract attention over time.
• Secure editorial placements on high-authority sites where your audience actually reads.
• Balance quick wins like fixing broken links and grabbing brand mentions with more strategic digital PR campaigns and affiliate partnerships.
• Never underestimate the power of internal linking—your content can (and should) support your product and category pages.

Most importantly, keep evolving. As Google continues to reward authenticity and relevance, your link-building efforts should reflect your brand’s value, not just your SEO goals.

Thanks for sticking with us through the ultimate guide. Ready to start building smarter links? You’ve got everything you need to begin.