You’ve built a solid backlink profile—great work. But what’s the next move to truly dominate the rankings?

The secret many top SEOs use is tier 2 link acquisition. It’s the powerful, and often overlooked, strategy of building links to your existing backlinks to supercharge their power and push your rankings higher, all while keeping your site safe.

Ready to master it? Here is your trusted Postspack guide to conquering SEO and leaving your competitors behind.

Stop Leaving SEO Power on the Table: Use Tier 2 Links

Think of your best backlinks (your “Tier 1” links) as your star players on a sports team. They’re already doing a great job for you. Tier 2 link acquisition is simply the strategy of giving those star players a strong supporting team.

In simple terms, you’re building backlinks to your backlinks.

Let’s break it down:

• Tier 1 Links: Your primary backlinks (e.g., a guest post on a major blog) that point directly to your website.
• Tier 2 Links: New backlinks you build that point to that guest post on the major blog.

In fact, data from Backlinko shows that sites using this layered approach can see up to 24% faster ranking growth.

Why Your Best Backlinks Aren’t Enough

Google values not only the number of backlinks you have but also the strength of those links. When your tier 1 backlinks gain more authority through tier 2 links, your site indirectly benefits from that flow of link juice.

Here’s why they’re crucial:

• Amplify authority: They strengthen the credibility of your best backlinks.
• Faster indexing: Helps search engines crawl and index tier 1 links quickly.
• Boost rankings: Improved link equity trickles down to your pages.
• Reduce risk: You’re not linking directly to your site, keeping it safer from penalties.

From Zero to Authority: The Tier 2 Link Process

Let’s break down how a professional SEO handles tier 2 link acquisition effectively.

1. Identify your strongest tier 1 links
   Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to spot the backlinks that bring the most authority.
   
2. Choose relevant sources for tier 2 links
   Blogs, Web 2.0 sites, niche edits, and guest posts are common options. Always focus on contextual relevance.
   
3. Create value-driven content
   Publish articles or posts that naturally include your tier 1 link URLs.
   
4. Diversify your anchor text
   Use variations like “learn more,” “check the full guide,” or branded anchors to maintain a natural profile.
   
5. Index your tier 2 links
   Use indexing tools or social signals to ensure Google crawls them.
   

Best Types of Tier 2 Links

Not all links are created equal. Some work better than others when strengthening tier 1 backlinks.

Learn how Tier 2 links fit into the broader types of backlinks every SEO should know.

Tier 2 Link Acquisition Techniques That Actually Work

Here’s where tier 2 link acquisition shines — you can mix and match methods to create a powerful network of authority signals.

Top techniques include:

• Guest Posting on Medium-Authority Blogs
  These blogs may not be tier 1 quality but still carry real SEO value.
  
• Niche Edits on Aged Articles
  Adding your tier 1 link to old, indexed content helps strengthen its authority.
  
• Social Bookmarking Sites
  Sites like Mix, Flipboard, or Reddit can push link discovery faster.
  
• Video or Slide Submissions
  Uploading short informational videos or slideshows with tier 1 URLs in the description helps generate social proof.
  

Smart Linking: Weave a Semantic Web for Tier 2

Don’t just build links—build context. Semantic connections mean your Tier 2 links support your main topic by discussing ideas that are related to it, not just repeating the same keywords. This creates a natural-looking and more powerful topical authority signal.

Here’s how to do it with your Tier 2 strategy:

Target Related Concepts: If your Tier 1 link is about “Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet,” your Tier 2 content could cover:

• “How to Improve Running Form” (The how of running)

• “Essential Pre-Run Stretches” (The preparation)

• “Understanding Arch Support in Footwear” (The core mechanic)

Use Natural Anchor Text: Instead of forcing the exact keyword, use phrases that make sense in context, like:

1. “As this guide to proper running form explains…”
2. “For runners with specific needs, this resource on arch support is vital…”

Build a Topical Hub: This approach tells search engines that your Tier 1 link is a central, authoritative resource within a broader topic cluster, making its endorsement of your site much stronger.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned SEO experts make errors when it comes to tiered link building. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Overusing automated tools – Low-quality spam links can hurt more than help.
• Ignoring anchor diversity – Repeated keywords trigger red flags.
• Skipping indexing – Unindexed links don’t pass value.
• No tracking system – Always monitor performance through analytics and link maps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Level Up? Put Tier 2 Links to Work

Think of tier 2 link acquisition as the final piece that locks your SEO strategy into place. It’s what transforms good rankings into lasting, dominant ones.

Stop hoping your backlinks are strong enough—start making them stronger. Pick your best-performing link and build a few quality Tier 2 links pointing to it. That’s all it takes to start the chain reaction.

When you’re ready to systemize this and scale your results, our team at Postspack is here to help. We build powerful, natural-tiered link strategies designed for long-term growth.