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ARTICLE #39
How to use ChatGPT for link building? The ultimate guide
Link Building
ChatGPT
Backlinking
Guest Posting
SEO Tools
Link Building
ChatGPT
Backlinking
Guest Posting
SEO Tools
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: July 2nd, 2024
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Toni Hukkanen
Head of Design
Creative Direction, Brand Direction
Most site owners love the idea of higher rankings, more traffic, and stronger profits—but actually achieving those goals can feel like herding cats. And that’s precisely why people are talking about ChatGPT. Its ability to tackle tedious SEO tasks quickly has created plenty of buzz in the link-building world. So if you are aiming to reclaim your precious hours, buckle up. Below, we’ll explore how to use ChatGPT for link building, plus a few benefits (and caveats) to keep in mind.
Most site owners love the idea of higher rankings, more traffic, and stronger profits—but actually achieving those goals can feel like herding cats. And that’s precisely why people are talking about ChatGPT. Its ability to tackle tedious SEO tasks quickly has created plenty of buzz in the link-building world. So if you are aiming to reclaim your precious hours, buckle up. Below, we’ll explore how to use ChatGPT for link building, plus a few benefits (and caveats) to keep in mind.
What is ChatGPT and how does it work?
What is ChatGPT and how does it work?
ChatGPT is an AI language model created by OpenAI. Simply put, it processes your prompts and produces human-like text responses. Under the hood, it uses a deep learning framework called GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer). This framework helps ChatGPT handle everything from short email blurbs to full-on articles in a matter of seconds.
Keyword research: Quickly propose new long-tail terms, figure out search intent, or spot trending topics.
Content ideas: Generate outlines for blogs, product descriptions, or social media captions.
Content optimisation: Suggest relevant keywords and tweak readability.
Translation: Draft or translate posts for different languages.
Competitor analysis: Offer insights into rival strategies and potential weaknesses.
To get started, you just type a prompt into the chat. ChatGPT then crafts a written answer, drawing on patterns it’s learned from large training data sets. GPT-4 (accessible via ChatGPT Plus) even handles lengthy text or interprets images. However, like any AI tool, it works best when you provide clear instructions and double-check its outputs.
ChatGPT is an AI language model created by OpenAI. Simply put, it processes your prompts and produces human-like text responses. Under the hood, it uses a deep learning framework called GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer). This framework helps ChatGPT handle everything from short email blurbs to full-on articles in a matter of seconds.
Keyword research: Quickly propose new long-tail terms, figure out search intent, or spot trending topics.
Content ideas: Generate outlines for blogs, product descriptions, or social media captions.
Content optimisation: Suggest relevant keywords and tweak readability.
Translation: Draft or translate posts for different languages.
Competitor analysis: Offer insights into rival strategies and potential weaknesses.
To get started, you just type a prompt into the chat. ChatGPT then crafts a written answer, drawing on patterns it’s learned from large training data sets. GPT-4 (accessible via ChatGPT Plus) even handles lengthy text or interprets images. However, like any AI tool, it works best when you provide clear instructions and double-check its outputs.
How to use ChatGPT for link building?
We have experimented with ChatGPT and discovered some effective and interesting strategies to use for link building.
We have experimented with ChatGPT and discovered some effective and interesting strategies to use for link building.
1. Pinpoint potential link-building websites
Link building usually starts with finding relevant sites. If you are an agency specialising in branding and design, try this prompt:
Create a step-by-step link-building strategy for a branding agency.
ChatGPT can then propose a plan, including suggestions for websites or directories in your niche. You’ll still need to verify those sites manually because ChatGPT can produce occasional duds. Think of it as your brainstorming partner rather than an infallible oracle.
2. Conduct keyword research
One of ChatGPT’s strong suits is generating keyword ideas in no time. You could say:
List 20 long-tail keywords related to sustainable packaging designs.
This gives you a decent starting point. Of course, always confirm search volumes and competition levels with actual SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. ChatGPT won’t know how popular each keyword is, and it might not reflect the latest search trends.
3. Uncover link-building opportunities
ChatGPT can propose all sorts of approaches—guest blogging, local directories, influencer outreach—based on your sector. For instance:
Guest blogging
Give me 50 sites related to [Your Industry] that accept guest posts.
You’ll get a quick list to sort through, cutting out hours of dull web searching.
Local business directories
Give me 20 local directories for [Keyword] in [Location].
This is helpful if you are targeting a specific city or region. High-quality local directories can lead you straight to potential leads.
Influencer collaboration
Give me a list of influencer experts in [Industry].
Just remember to confirm an influencer’s real-world following and engagement—ChatGPT might spit out some random names.
YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, with over 2.70 billion active users. Almost 52% of all internet users visit YouTube at least once a month, making it a powerful tool for digital marketing.
Research also shows that 96% of online users watch videos to learn about companies, services, and products. Almost 86% of businesses use videos for marketing.
Local events and sponsorships
Provide me with local events and sponsorship opportunities for [Topic] in [Location].
Partnering with well-chosen events can bolster brand visibility and help you bag high-quality backlinks.
Competitor analysis
You could upload your competitor’s backlink profile (if you’ve exported it from a tool) and ask ChatGPT for analysis:
Analyse these competitor backlinks; highlight the best link-building options with a DR above 25 and a UR above 10.
This approach can reveal new angles you hadn’t considered.
4. Write outreach emails
Drafting outreach letters by hand can be time-consuming. ChatGPT speeds this up:
Generate a list of blogs for guest posting
Provide me with a list of top-ranked personal blogs in [Topic] and format it in a table.
Create outreach email templates
Write 3 variants of a guest post outreach email for websites with a DA of 40+.
You can then refine these templates so they feel genuinely personal. Add specifics about each blog, mention an article you loved, and keep your pitch polite but enthusiastic. If the blog owner sees a cookie-cutter email, it might go straight to the recycling bin.
5. Find forums and Q&A sites
Posting helpful answers on forums or Q&A platforms can also build inbound links—and ChatGPT is happy to track down places to do it:
Give me a list of popular forums for [Topic]. Provide direct links, if possible.
Again, check these leads before investing time in writing content there.
We have experimented with ChatGPT and discovered some effective and interesting strategies to use for link building.
We have experimented with ChatGPT and discovered some effective and interesting strategies to use for link building.
1. Pinpoint potential link-building websites
Link building usually starts with finding relevant sites. If you are an agency specialising in branding and design, try this prompt:
Create a step-by-step link-building strategy for a branding agency.
ChatGPT can then propose a plan, including suggestions for websites or directories in your niche. You’ll still need to verify those sites manually because ChatGPT can produce occasional duds. Think of it as your brainstorming partner rather than an infallible oracle.
2. Conduct keyword research
One of ChatGPT’s strong suits is generating keyword ideas in no time. You could say:
List 20 long-tail keywords related to sustainable packaging designs.
This gives you a decent starting point. Of course, always confirm search volumes and competition levels with actual SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. ChatGPT won’t know how popular each keyword is, and it might not reflect the latest search trends.
3. Uncover link-building opportunities
ChatGPT can propose all sorts of approaches—guest blogging, local directories, influencer outreach—based on your sector. For instance:
Guest blogging
Give me 50 sites related to [Your Industry] that accept guest posts.
You’ll get a quick list to sort through, cutting out hours of dull web searching.
Local business directories
Give me 20 local directories for [Keyword] in [Location].
This is helpful if you are targeting a specific city or region. High-quality local directories can lead you straight to potential leads.
Influencer collaboration
Give me a list of influencer experts in [Industry].
Just remember to confirm an influencer’s real-world following and engagement—ChatGPT might spit out some random names.
YouTube is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, with over 2.70 billion active users. Almost 52% of all internet users visit YouTube at least once a month, making it a powerful tool for digital marketing.
Research also shows that 96% of online users watch videos to learn about companies, services, and products. Almost 86% of businesses use videos for marketing.
Local events and sponsorships
Provide me with local events and sponsorship opportunities for [Topic] in [Location].
Partnering with well-chosen events can bolster brand visibility and help you bag high-quality backlinks.
Competitor analysis
You could upload your competitor’s backlink profile (if you’ve exported it from a tool) and ask ChatGPT for analysis:
Analyse these competitor backlinks; highlight the best link-building options with a DR above 25 and a UR above 10.
This approach can reveal new angles you hadn’t considered.
4. Write outreach emails
Drafting outreach letters by hand can be time-consuming. ChatGPT speeds this up:
Generate a list of blogs for guest posting
Provide me with a list of top-ranked personal blogs in [Topic] and format it in a table.
Create outreach email templates
Write 3 variants of a guest post outreach email for websites with a DA of 40+.
You can then refine these templates so they feel genuinely personal. Add specifics about each blog, mention an article you loved, and keep your pitch polite but enthusiastic. If the blog owner sees a cookie-cutter email, it might go straight to the recycling bin.
5. Find forums and Q&A sites
Posting helpful answers on forums or Q&A platforms can also build inbound links—and ChatGPT is happy to track down places to do it:
Give me a list of popular forums for [Topic]. Provide direct links, if possible.
Again, check these leads before investing time in writing content there.
What are the benefits of using ChatGPT for link building?
Using ChatGPT for link building has many benefits because SEOs have been experimenting with it since it launched. They have found that ChatGPT is an undoubtedly helpful tool for speeding up many tasks related to search engine optimization.
1. Time saver
ChatGPT slashes hours of manual searching—like scouring the web for directories or brainstorming guest post topics. It handles the mundane tasks so you can focus on negotiation, relationship-building, or content quality.
2. Enhanced productivity
Many link-building tasks involve sifting through big piles of data. LLMs are good at quickly parsing text, and providing valuable ideas for anchor text or potential outreach targets. This means you can find more link-building opportunities than you might have on your own.
3. Lower overheads
ChatGPT is free to use at a basic level, and even the Plus subscription tends to be cheaper than hiring a full-time assistant. However, you’ll still need a human manager to interpret results and ensure everything’s on the level.
Using ChatGPT for link building has many benefits because SEOs have been experimenting with it since it launched. They have found that ChatGPT is an undoubtedly helpful tool for speeding up many tasks related to search engine optimization.
1. Time saver
ChatGPT slashes hours of manual searching—like scouring the web for directories or brainstorming guest post topics. It handles the mundane tasks so you can focus on negotiation, relationship-building, or content quality.
2. Enhanced productivity
Many link-building tasks involve sifting through big piles of data. LLMs are good at quickly parsing text, and providing valuable ideas for anchor text or potential outreach targets. This means you can find more link-building opportunities than you might have on your own.
3. Lower overheads
ChatGPT is free to use at a basic level, and even the Plus subscription tends to be cheaper than hiring a full-time assistant. However, you’ll still need a human manager to interpret results and ensure everything’s on the level.
What are the limitations of using ChatGPT for link building?
Limitations to watch out for
Though ChatGPT provides a number of benefits, it still has some limitations you should be aware of when using it for link building.
1. Inaccuracies and hallucinations: ChatGPT can produce convincing nonsense. Always validate its suggestions with your own research.
2. No direct web browsing: ChatGPT can’t actively visit sites or confirm if a domain is truly authoritative. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush remain essential.
3. Lack of recent data: It only has knowledge up to a certain cutoff, so it might not be aware of brand-new websites or changes in Google’s algorithms.
4. Possible duplicate ideas: Because it relies on pre-existing data, ChatGPT might recycle old concepts, risking repetitive content. You should adapt and refine its output.
5. AI content concerns: If you plan to post AI-generated articles verbatim, be warned: Google might penalise purely machine-made content. At FOR®, we believe adding genuine insights and editorial oversight is critical—transforming formulaic AI text into something truly compelling.
Limitations to watch out for
Though ChatGPT provides a number of benefits, it still has some limitations you should be aware of when using it for link building.
1. Inaccuracies and hallucinations: ChatGPT can produce convincing nonsense. Always validate its suggestions with your own research.
2. No direct web browsing: ChatGPT can’t actively visit sites or confirm if a domain is truly authoritative. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush remain essential.
3. Lack of recent data: It only has knowledge up to a certain cutoff, so it might not be aware of brand-new websites or changes in Google’s algorithms.
4. Possible duplicate ideas: Because it relies on pre-existing data, ChatGPT might recycle old concepts, risking repetitive content. You should adapt and refine its output.
5. AI content concerns: If you plan to post AI-generated articles verbatim, be warned: Google might penalise purely machine-made content. At FOR®, we believe adding genuine insights and editorial oversight is critical—transforming formulaic AI text into something truly compelling.
Final Thoughts
ChatGPT has plenty of potential for boosting your link-building process—but think of it as an assistant, not an autopilot. Cross-check those recommended websites, validate suggested keywords with real SEO data and adapt any content to match your brand voice. The tool can save time, spark fresh ideas, and help you scale your efforts. Yet it’s your human strategy, creativity, and judgement that turn those opportunities into real ROI.
ChatGPT has plenty of potential for boosting your link-building process—but think of it as an assistant, not an autopilot. Cross-check those recommended websites, validate suggested keywords with real SEO data and adapt any content to match your brand voice. The tool can save time, spark fresh ideas, and help you scale your efforts. Yet it’s your human strategy, creativity, and judgement that turn those opportunities into real ROI.
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Work with us
Click to copy
work@for.co
FOR® Industries
We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
Click to copy
Helsinki, FIN
hel@for.co
Click to copy
New York, NY
ny@for.co
Click to copy
Miami, FL
mia@for.co
Click to copy
Dubai, UAE
uae@for.co
Click to copy
Kyiv, UA
kyiv@for.co
Click to copy
Lagos, NG
lagos@for.ng
Copyright © 2024 FOR®