What is Skyscraper Content?

Skyscraper content is a link building strategy where you find popular content in your niche, create something significantly better, then promote it to people who linked to the original. The name comes from building taller than the existing "skyscrapers."

The technique works because people would rather link to the best resource available. If you create a superior version of content that already has backlinks, those linking sites have reason to link to yours instead.

Why It Works

Finding content worth creating from scratch is hard. The skyscraper technique starts with proven winners - content that already attracts links and ranks well. You're not guessing what might work; you're improving what already does.

Sites linking to outdated or inferior content often welcome better alternatives. They want to provide value to their readers by linking to the best resources, and you're giving them something better to link to.

How to Execute It

Find top-ranking content on your target keyword that you can improve. Look for posts with significant backlinks using tools like Ahrefs or examining the SERP directly.

Identify what makes the existing content successful, then make yours substantially better. More comprehensive, more current, better examples, clearer explanations, better visuals, or a more useful format.

Don't just make it 10% better. Make it noticeably superior. If the existing post is 2,000 words, yours should be 3,500+ words with better structure, more depth, and added value the original lacks.

Outreach Strategy

Find sites linking to the original content. Use backlink analysis tools to see who links to competing posts on your topic.

Reach out with genuine value. Don't say "link to me instead." Point out how your content is more comprehensive, current, or useful. Give them a specific reason why their readers would benefit from your version.

Make it easy for them. If you're updating outdated content, explicitly note what's changed in your industry. If you're expanding on something, show what you added that the original missed.

When It Works Best

This strategy works best for evergreen content that naturally becomes outdated. "Ultimate guides" and comprehensive resources are ideal candidates for the skyscraper approach.

It's less effective for highly opinionated content or when the original article's value is the author's unique perspective rather than comprehensive information.