Look for links that have a reason to be there.

Review what is already in place

We begin with the website, its content, existing mentions and publication history. Available data helps identify pages that attract references, lost links and changes worth investigating.

Tool scores can help sort a list. They are not, on their own, proof of a website’s quality or a reason to remove a link.

Assess a publication in context

• The subject and audience of the publishing website.
• The usefulness of the linked resource in the surrounding content.
• Whether the relationship is editorial, a partnership or advertising.
• Publication terms, costs and stated commitments.
• How the link and later changes will be recorded.

A well-explained technical guide may answer a specialist publication’s question. The work is to make that resource useful and bring it to a relevant editor; the editor still decides whether to publish it.

Quote for work that can be defined

The proposal may cover analysis, publication research, resource preparation, outreach and follow-up. It distinguishes the professional work from any publication fees.

There is no universal anchor-text ratio or domain count that defines a good plan for every business. Independent editorial decisions and search rankings are not guaranteed deliverables.

Keep editorial and paid relationships clear

Paid placements and affiliate relationships must be recognised in the project and handled according to the rules applying to the publication. They should not be presented as unsolicited, independent recommendations.

Existing links and their commitments are inventoried before work begins. No removal, anchor change or attribute change is carried out automatically.

Keep a useful record

Reporting records the work done, responses received, publications obtained and items requiring follow-up. It separates an action completed from a claimed effect on search visibility.

For a review focused on the existing portfolio, see backlink analysis and monitoring.