Getting your new WordPress blog noticed in 2026 isn’t just about writing killer content. Maria, a food blogger I know, spent weeks crafting her recipes and stories, only to find her blog buried on page five of Google. Why? She had zero backlinks. The truth is, without strong dofollow backlinks pointing to your site, you’re shouting into the void.
Here’s the kicker: paying for backlinks is risky (and often against search engine rules). But there’s good news—you can build high-quality, free dofollow backlinks if you know where to look and how to act strategically.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Smart ways to get backlinks without spending a dime.
- Real examples of strategies that work in 2026.
- What not to waste time on—and why most new bloggers fail at this.
Let’s fix your backlink problem once and for all.
1. Steal Competitors’ Backlink Sources
Here’s a little secret: your competitors have already done half the work for you. Why start from scratch when you can piggyback off their success?
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush (both offer free trials) to analyze the backlink profiles of top-ranking blogs in your niche. Look at who is linking to them and ask yourself: Why wouldn’t these sites link back to me too?
How It Works
1. Plug a competitor’s domain into Ahrefs’ Site Explorer or SEMrush’s Backlink Analytics tool.
2. Export their backlink list.
3. Focus on links from blogs, forums, or resources directly related to your topic.
4. Reach out with an email explaining why linking to your blog adds value.
Key takeaway: This method works because it targets websites already open to external links—no cold pitching random URLs needed.
2. Write Guest Posts That Don’t Suck
Guest posting has been around forever, but here’s what most people miss: generic fluff doesn’t work anymore in 2026. Editors want personalized content that fits their audience perfectly.
Also worth reading: Comparativa
How You Can Stand Out
- Research the site thoroughly before pitching—read recent articles, understand their style.
- Pitch one specific idea they’ll care about instead of recycling old topics.
- Include one natural link back to your site within the post (usually by providing additional context or resources).
For example, when I pitched a guest article about “5 Surprising Spice Pairings” for Maria’s cooking blog, I included a subtle link back to her recipe collection on Indian spices—it felt natural and became one of her first high-authority links!
Key takeaway: Guest posting requires effort upfront but pays off with authoritative links that search engines love.
3. Leverage HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
HARO connects journalists looking for expert opinions with sources like you—yes, even if you’re new! Submitting great responses can land you mentions (with dofollow links) on major publications.
Step-by-Step
1. Sign up for HARO’s free plan at helpareporter.com.
2. Choose topics relevant to your niche; ignore irrelevant ones—it’s not worth spamming.
3. Write concise responses with data or unique insights they can use immediately.
When I responded as an SEO strategist last year about “top blogging trends,” it landed me a mention in Forbes. Imagine what that kind of link could do for your WordPress blog!
Key takeaway: HARO is unpredictable but worth it—one quality backlink from a big site justifies any time spent responding.
4. Create “Skyscraper” Content That Earns Links Naturally
Most bloggers try creating decent content; few aim for the best resource online about any given topic. That’s where Brian Dean’s Skyscraper Technique comes into play—and yes, it still works like magic in 2026.
Here’s What You Do:
1. Find content ranking well for terms you’d like traffic from using Ahrefs or Google searches.
2. Analyze what they’ve missed—outdated stats? Poor visuals? Lack of real-world examples?
3. Create something better (more detailed steps/examples/charts).
4. Email everyone currently linking to that content and show them why yours is better.
This takes time and energy—but when done right, the results are stellar! For example, check out Maria’s revamped “Ultimate Guide To Sourdough Baking”—her outreach got eight solid dofollow backlinks in three weeks after launch!
Key takeaway: Skyscraper posts are long-term assets—they keep generating traffic and links over time if done correctly.
Related guide: 10 Herramientas Clave para Crear Contenido
5. Get Listed on Niche Resource Pages
Resource pages are goldmines for new blogs because they actively curate helpful links for their readers—and those are often dofollow! Think “Best Vegan Recipe Blogs” or “Top WordPress SEO Tools.”
Action Plan:
1. Search Google with queries like:
- “intitle:resources [your topic]”
- “best [your niche] blogs”
2. Identify which pages allow user submissions or seem open enough for outreach.
3. Send a short email introducing your blog and explain how it complements their list.
A travel blogger friend recently got featured as one of the “Top Budget Travel Blogs” by doing exactly this—and saw her referral traffic jump by over 40% overnight!
Key takeaway: Resource pages aren’t just easy wins—they bring targeted traffic too.
Before We Move On…
You might be thinking: “This sounds like so much work!” And yeah—it takes effort upfront! But skipping these steps means staying invisible online while others pass you by easily snagging those juicy first-page rankings.
Let’s keep going—there are easier tricks ahead too!
6–10 Coming Up Next…
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