Are there any strategies (Moz-specific or other) on how to improve the Total Links metric against competitors?

[buffalonickel]

In competitive link metrics, our client is doing very well in every metric against every competitor except in Total Links against one competitor in particular. Wondering how to improve this metric against this one competitor. Any strategies, whether MOZ-specific or other that can boost this metric? Thanks.

[JustinMurray]

First off, I assume you understand that quantity of links, a.k.a a higher Total Link, is not necessarily a recommended practice in SEO any longer. It is now more importantly about the quality of the links. I outrank competitors who have many more links than my client, but it is due to our quality of link profile, website speed, technical seo, onpage seo, and certainly not the Total Link. If you do want to quickly increase your total links, maybe an infographic, viral social, buy them, or pbn it and create your own, all of which are questionable, except for maybe the infographic.

[MattRoney]

Agreed! Joseph, depending on how well you're already meeting your goals, you may not want to get too hung up on that one metric.

That said, the only way to raise your total link count is to earn some more links. As Justin noted, there are plenty of less-than-legitimate ways to do that, but if you use them you have to expect a penalty sooner or later. It's not worth it. If you haven't, I'd recommend checking out our Beginner's Guide to Link Building, which has a lot of sustainable, legitimate ideas.

[buffalonickel]

Thanks all. I'll check out the guide.