I do not believe in a universal magic formula in 2020.
Don't have any specific general strategy. Just have a clear vision, what works, and whatnot.
It depends on the case, and from sources and niche. Sometimes it's much easier and cheaper to buy guest posts/ editorial backlinks or even "sponsored" posts that create and maintain PBN Network. In Gambling, Essay niche it's almost all about PBN's.
I make research on competitors to find ideas on how to repeat the best links. So will be good to say, I create my strategy after researching and understanding my sources and scope.
1.PBN's - if that is your PBN. Links from side Networks that are selling usually are:
- Bullshit
- Will become bullshit soon.
2. Approved Niche Related or huge Directories
3**. Crowd links but if there will be niche related communities where you can put do-follow backlinks, and will be made manually and generally that's not about SEO it's should engage consumers/invite or encourages them to participate or try your service/product.
4. Guest Posts/Editorial Posts and even sponsored posts sometimes.
*Also a good idea (if you have resources and TIME) researching popular trends, topics, and already well-received pieces of existing content across the topic areas your business typically covers. And just directly negotiate with the owner what
Super time-consuming. But works.
But that list also means nothing. Matters how that was executed. How good your PBN's are, how good are referrals, a page with content is indexed? Domain Quality, Relevancy, Authority, Page Role on the site... all this shit matters. And also important to track your backlinks. Because if they will be deleted and you spent on it money or time. It's smart to know why that happened. Maybe you can fix it?