Ecommerce backlink remain one of the most influential ranking signals in Google’s algorithm. For ecommerce businesses, earning high-quality backlinks isn’t just about boosting domain authority—it directly impacts product visibility, organic traffic, and ultimately, sales.
Unlike SaaS or B2B brands, ecommerce stores face unique backlink challenges. With thousands of product pages, fast-changing inventories, and a competitive landscape, you need a structured backlink strategy that goes beyond chasing random links.
This guide covers everything you need to know about e-commerce backlink building: from why it matters, to proven strategies, to tracking ROI with the right metrics.
Why Backlinks Matter for Ecommerce SEO
When other websites link to your store, Google views it as a trust signal. The more authoritative and relevant those links are, the more likely your site will rank for competitive keywords like “best wireless earbuds” or “buy sustainable shoes online.”
For e-commerce stores, backlinks influence:
Product Page Rankings: High-quality backlinks can help individual product pages compete with category giants like Amazon.
Brand Visibility: Getting featured in online publications and review blogs boosts trust and customer awareness.
Revenue Growth: More organic visibility translates into consistent sales without relying only on ads.
If you want to see how backlinks tie into your content strategy, check out The Ultimate E-Commerce Content Creation Guide.
Statistics on Backlinks
In a 13-month Semrush study, nearly all (92.3%) of the 100 top-ranking domains had at least one backlink (Semrush, 2023)
Pages with more backlinks rank higher in Google SERPs –Backlinko
HubSpot, a leading marketing platform, has consistently emphasized the importance of content marketing and link building for B2C success, often citing data on the positive impact of these strategies.
Common Backlink Challenges in Ecommerce
Ecommerce brands don’t operate like blogs or SaaS businesses. Here are the main hurdles:
Duplicate content issues across product descriptions.
Low content depth on product pages, which makes them harder to attract links.
High competition against marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, or niche aggregators.
Ever-changing product URLs, leading to broken backlinks if not managed properly.
To overcome these, you need link-worthy assets and long-term partnerships rather than short-lived link swaps.
Proven Strategies for Ecommerce Backlink Building
Here are in-depth strategies that go beyond generic link-building tips:
1. Create Linkable Content Assets
E-commerce sites often rely only on product pages. But if you want backlinks, you need content people want to cite:
Buying Guides & Comparisons: Example—“Best Wireless Earbuds Under $100 in 2025.”
Data-Driven Content: Industry insights, pricing trends, or consumer behavior reports.
Interactive Content: Quizzes like “Find Your Perfect Running Shoes” encourage shares and backlinks.
Learn how to build these with our article on interactive content for e-commerce.
2. Leverage Digital PR
Digital PR is a powerful way to earn backlinks at scale. Pitching stories to journalists, getting featured in “top product” roundups, and using press releases can drive links from high-authority domains.
For instance, if you run a sustainable clothing store, you can pitch a story about eco-friendly fashion trends to lifestyle magazines.
3. Influencer & Blogger Collaborations
Instead of traditional sponsorships, offer review opportunities for niche influencers. For example:
Tech bloggers reviewing gadgets.
Beauty bloggers testing skincare products.
Fitness coaches linking to your supplement store.
Authentic reviews not only drive backlinks but also conversions.
4. Optimize for Affiliate Partnerships
Affiliate partnerships create a steady stream of backlinks from bloggers and publishers who earn a commission. Unlike one-off outreach, affiliates have a vested interest in driving consistent traffic to your store.
This works especially well for niche categories like subscription boxes, fashion, and fitness gear.
5. Build Ecommerce Backlink Through Community Contributions
Being active in your niche communities can yield natural backlinks:
Contributing expert quotes on HARO (Help a Reporter Out).
Participating in niche forums like Reddit or Quora.
Partnering with local businesses for collaborations.
For more outreach strategies, see our guide on writing high-converting product descriptions—a skill that helps you pitch product reviews better.
Tracking Ecommerce Backlink Performance
Building links is only half the job. You need to measure their SEO and revenue impact.
Here are the core metrics to track:
| Metric | Why It Matters | Tool Suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Referring Domains | Indicates diversity of backlink sources | Ahrefs, SEMrush |
| Domain Authority (DA/DR) | Shows the authority of sites linking to you | Moz, Ahrefs |
| Anchor Text Distribution | Helps avoid over-optimization penalties | Ahrefs |
| Traffic from Backlinks | Identifies referral sources driving actual buyers | Google Analytics |
| Revenue Impact | Shows if backlinks influence sales | GA4, Shopify Analytics |
For a deeper view of how these metrics tie into search visibility, explore our guide on implementing AEO strategies for e-commerce.
FAQs on E-Commerce Backlink Building
1. How many backlinks does an e-commerce site need to rank?
There’s no magic number. What matters is quality and relevance. For competitive categories, aim for links from industry publications, not just random directories.
2. Should I buy backlinks for my store?
No. Paid link schemes can get your site penalized. Focus on organic PR, influencer outreach, and content partnerships instead.
3. Do product pages really need backlinks, or just blog content?
Both. Blog posts and guides attract links more easily, but product pages also benefit when linked from reviews, gift guides, and affiliate roundups.
4. How long does it take to see results from backlink building?
Typically 3–6 months, depending on competition and consistency.
5. Can I build backlinks without blogging?
Yes—through PR, influencer reviews, and partnerships. But having blog content dramatically increases your linkability.
Final Thoughts
E-commerce backlink building isn’t about spamming links—it’s about creating value-driven connections that amplify your products, build trust, and drive real revenue.
By combining content marketing, PR, influencer outreach, and smart affiliate partnerships, you can build a sustainable backlink profile that helps you rank alongside (or even above) giants like Amazon.
For a complete foundation on aligning backlinks with your content strategy, explore The Ultimate E-Commerce Content Creation Guid
Bonus Resources: Backlink Outreach Templates & Tracking Sheet
Use these ready-made templates and tools to streamline your backlink outreach process. You can copy, customize, and send them directly, and use the tracking sheet to monitor responses and link placements.
1. Initial Outreach Email Template
Subject: Quick question about [Website Name]
Hi [First Name],
I was reading your article on [Topic/URL] and found it incredibly helpful — especially the part about [specific detail].
I recently published a resource on [briefly describe your content] that I believe your readers would find valuable. You can check it out here: [Your URL].
If you think it’s a good fit, perhaps you could consider linking to it from your post.
Either way, thanks for creating such useful content.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Website]
2. Follow-Up Email #1 (After 3–5 Days)
Subject: Just following up on my previous email
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to follow up on my previous message about my [topic] resource.
I completely understand you might be busy, but I think it could add value to your readers.
Here’s the link again: [Your URL]
Thanks for your time,
[Your Name]
3. Follow-Up Email #2 (After 7–10 Days)
Subject: Final follow-up on [topic] suggestion
Hi [First Name],
This is my final follow-up — I know your time is valuable.
If you’re interested, here’s the link again: [Your URL]
If not, no worries at all. I appreciate your work regardless.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
4. Backlink Tracking Sheet
You can copy this Google Sheet template to track your backlink outreach progress.
- Website Name
- Contact Person
- Email Address
- Outreach Date
- Follow-Up Dates
- Status
- Live Link
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