If you’ve spent any time trying to get your website noticed on Google, you’ve probably heard about SEO. Most people focus on on-page SEO — things like keywords, headings, and internal links. That stuff definitely matters, but it’s only part of the story.
There’s a whole other side to SEO that happens outside your website. It’s called off-page SEO, and if you want your site to rank higher and attract more visitors, you can’t afford to ignore it.
This guide breaks it down in plain English: what off-page SEO is, why it’s important, and how to start using it to your advantage — even if you’re not a marketing pro.
Table of Contents
What is Off-Page SEO?
Off-page SEO is everything you do beyond your website to show search engines that your site is trustworthy, valuable, and worth ranking. It’s about building a solid reputation across the internet.
When other websites mention or link to yours, or when people talk about your brand online, search engines take notice. These off-site signals help Google decide how credible your site is and whether it deserves a top spot in search results.
In short, off-page SEO is about earning trust — not just from people, but from search engines too.
Why is Off-Page SEO Important?
You can have the best-written blog post in the world, but if no one knows about it or links to it, it’s probably not going to rank.
Here’s why off-page SEO is a big deal:
- It boosts your domain authority (aka how trustworthy your site appears)
- It sends referral traffic from other websites straight to yours
- It improves your visibility on Google
- It helps build your brand’s reputation and trust with real people
On-page SEO gets your site in shape. Off-page SEO helps the world notice.
Key Off-Page SEO Tactics You Should Know
Let’s get into the good stuff — the actual tactics that make up off-page SEO.
1. Backlinks (aka Getting Other Sites to Link to You)
Backlinks are the backbone of off-page SEO. They’re links from other websites that point to your site — like digital recommendations.
But not all backlinks are created equal. A link from a trusted source (think Forbes or a major industry site) carries way more weight than one from a random blog.
Great backlinks usually come from:
- Authoritative and relevant websites
- Natural mentions (not paid or spammy)
- Content that’s genuinely useful and worth sharing
How to earn them:
- Create content people want to share
- Guest post on reputable blogs
- Submit to industry directories
- Reach out to bloggers, journalists, and site owners
2. Social Media Signals
While Google doesn’t directly rank your site based on social likes or shares, social media still matters. Why? Because it increases your content’s visibility — which can lead to more links and traffic.
What to do:
- Share your content consistently
- Engage with your audience (not just broadcast)
- Partner with influencers in your space
- Use relevant hashtags to reach more people
The more buzz your content generates, the more likely people are to link to it.
3. Brand Mentions
Even if someone doesn’t link to your site, just mentioning your brand online still counts. Google is smart enough to pick up on those signals.
Types of mentions:
- Linked mentions (where your brand name links back to your site)
- Unlinked mentions (just your name mentioned without a link)
Ways to get more mentions:
- Be active in industry forums or communities
- Get featured on podcasts or in interviews
- Sponsor events, webinars, or causes
- Use PR tools like HARO to connect with journalists
4. Online Reviews and Reputation
Your online reputation matters — a lot. Especially for local businesses, reviews play a big role in search rankings and whether people trust you.
Places to focus on:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Niche platforms like TripAdvisor, G2, or Trustpilot
Tips:
- Ask happy customers to leave reviews
- Respond to all reviews, good or bad, with professionalism
- Keep your business profiles accurate and up to date
Good reviews help you stand out and send positive signals to search engines.
5. Content Marketing (Beyond Your Website)
Not all content has to live on your site. In fact, sharing valuable content on other platforms can help build your brand and earn traffic.
Examples:
- Guest blog posts
- Infographics shared on other websites
- YouTube videos
- Podcasts
- eBooks or whitepapers hosted externally
Make sure these pieces link back to your site and offer real value to the audience.
Common Off-Page SEO Myths (That Just Aren’t True)
Let’s bust a few common myths:
Myth: “Backlinks are all that matter.”
Truth: Backlinks are huge, but things like social signals, brand mentions, and reviews also influence rankings.
Myth: “Any backlink is a good backlink.”
Truth: Quality matters way more than quantity. A few good links beat dozens of spammy ones.
Myth: “I can’t control off-page SEO.”
Truth: You can absolutely influence it through smart content, networking, and outreach.
How to Build a Strong Off-Page SEO Strategy
Here’s a simple plan to get started:
1. Create Content Worth Linking To
If your content isn’t helpful or interesting, no one will link to it. Focus on creating articles, videos, or resources that solve real problems or answer real questions.
2. Find Link Opportunities
Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to see who’s linking to your competitors, what kind of content gets the most backlinks, or where broken links exist that you could replace.
3. Start Reaching Out
Don’t be afraid to email site owners or influencers. Just keep it personal and clear. Offer value, like a guest post, expert quote, or a helpful resource.
4. Stay Active on Social Media
You don’t need to be on every platform — just show up consistently where your audience hangs out. Be human, share useful stuff, and engage with others.
5. Monitor Your Results
Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track what’s working. Look at referral traffic, backlink growth, and which content gets shared or mentioned the most.
Helpful Tools for Off-Page SEO
Here are a few helpful off-page SEO tools:
- Ahrefs – backlink analysis and competitor research
- BuzzSumo – track popular content and influencers
- HARO – connect with journalists for PR opportunities
- Google Alerts – monitor your brand mentions
- Moz Link Explorer – check link quality and domain authority
Wrapping Up: Off-Page SEO is About Earning Trust
At the end of the day, off-page SEO is about building trust, not gaming the system. When people are talking about your brand, linking to your content, and sharing your stuff online, it tells search engines you’re doing something right.
So don’t just stay focused on what’s on your website. Look outward. Connect with people, get your name out there, and build a reputation that earns you the visibility you deserve.
SEO isn’t just about search engines. It’s about people. Serve them well, and the rankings will follow.
