6 Steps to Get AI to Recommend Your Brand

Link building isn’t dead — but what success looks like has changed.

Backlinks still play a major role in traditional rankings. But today, authority is built through visibility.

Search engines and AI systems look at how your brand appears across credible publications, and what topics you’re consistently associated with online.

That’s why today’s wins come from PR-grade content that earns both backlinks and brand mentions.

In this guide, you’ll get a step-by-step system for building links and mentions with data-driven content and targeted pitching. I’ve also included templates, prompts, and real examples you can copy.

By the end, you’ll know how to create content journalists will quote, improve your reply rates, and grow your online authority.

What Is Link Building?

Link building is the process of getting other websites to link back to your site to improve its authority and search engine rankings.

The most valuable backlinks come from trusted, relevant sources.

They work like votes of confidence, helping search engines understand your site’s reputation while making it easier for people to discover your content.

At Backlinko, we’ve earned over 4.5 million backlinks from reputable industry sites like Moz, HubSpot, Mangools, Shopify, and Search Engine Watch.

Why Links Still Matter

Google may be leaning less on backlinks than it used to, but they’re far from irrelevant.

They still help search engines and people alike determine which content is worth paying attention to.

Backlinks are:

• Still a ranking factor: Google still uses links to help it determine the quality of your site’s content.
• A discovery path: Links help Google find new pages and understand how they fit into the web’s information graph.
• An authority indicator: When credible, relevant sites link to you, they’re vouching for your expertise.
• E-E-A-T-enhancers: High-quality links reinforce experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness by showing that others in your field value your content.

But it’s not all about chasing links anymore.

Unlinked brand mentions and co-citations are incredibly valuable.

A co-citation is when your brand appears alongside recognized authorities in your niche.

Whether linked or unlinked, they’re a major component of establishing your brand’s authority.

Ultimately, link building in 2026 remains essential for improving your rankings in traditional search. But if you want visibility in AI search, you need to think beyond backlinks.

1. Create Linkable Content

Certain types of content work best for link building and co-citations. We call this “linkable content” or link bait.

Visual Assets

Visual assets — charts, diagrams, infographics — can earn links when people want to share a visual representation, not just a snippet of text.

Original Research

Original research, like industry surveys, studies, or data analysis, is another great linkable format.

Here’s how you can use original research to get backlinks and brand mentions:

• Pick a sharp question: Choose one timely, specific question your audience actually cares about.
• Design a credible method: Spell out the basics in a “Methods” box — who you asked, how many people you asked, how you collected answers.
• Lead with the angle: Write the headline and first sentence you want a reporter to use.

Free Tools

Another great way to build links, mentions, and co-citations is to create free tools.

Ultimate Guides

Ultimate guides are comprehensive, multi-chapter resources that cover a topic from every angle.

2. Find High-Quality Websites to Pitch

Not every site is worth your time.

Identify Authoritative, Topically Relevant Sites

Search your target topic and subtopics in Google and Google News.

Build on this further by pulling competitor backlink reports using Semrush’s Backlink Analytics Tool.

Check Authority and Traffic

Use tools like Semrush to get a quick read on link prospects’ Authority Scores and estimated organic traffic.

Find Journalists and Bloggers That Cite Data

Writers who frequently reference stats, research, or industry quotes are prime prospects for your link-building campaign.

Check for Nofollow Links

While the authority of the site matters most, “dofollow” backlinks are preferable for SEO.

Prioritize Strategic Guest Posts

Strategic guest posts on authoritative, topically relevant sites can build both links and brand visibility.

3. Gather Contact Information

Once you’ve identified high-value prospects, find the right contact information to reach them.

4. Send a Personalized Pitch

Nailing your outreach email is key to building valuable links and brand mentions.

A framework you can use is the classic AIDA copywriting model:

• Attention: Start with a personalized hook.
• Interest: Share why your content is worth a look.
• Desire: Tie your content back to their audience.
• Action: End with one specific task.

5. Track and Monitor Responses

Once your personalized pitches are out, you need a way to track your progress.

This will let you understand:

• Whether you need to improve your email subject lines.
• If your email copy may be holding you back from getting more replies.

Types of Links to Prioritize in 2026

Authority, relevance, and editorial credibility matter most when you’re building links and brand mentions.

• Authoritativeness and relevance: The best links come from trusted sites in your space.
• Organically earned: Aim to create content so genuinely helpful that it naturally attracts links.
• Co-citation-worthy: Work on improving your presence across the web and on getting your name alongside heavy hitters in your niche.

Build Links and Brand Visibility That Lasts

Backlinks are now just one area of focus.

Linked or not, brand mentions and co-citations help you get recognition across every platform.

When you create content worth citing and target authoritative sites, you signal authority to search engines and AI platforms.