Instead of chasing DA or gray links, create something so specifically useful, a tool, a comparison chart, a niche guide, even a list of resources, that people in your niche can’t help but reference. It doesn’t need to go viral. Just be bookmark-worthy.
Also;
Internal linking—massively underrated. Keeps juice flowing.
HARO or Qwoted—takes time, but even one good pickup can outperform 20 spammy links.
Updating old content—can revive rankings without a single new backlink.
If you’re doing gray hat, fine. But mix in genuine assets too. That’s what tends to survive every Google tantrum.