Link Building Case Study
Driving Strategic Link Growth for a Leading University
53 → 62
Domain authority
20% (435K → 534K)
Organic traffic
65%
Top 3 keyword rankings
Challenge: Improving Link Quality While Driving Results
The client needed a link building strategy that prioritized quality over volume, ensuring content would attract natural backlinks while improving search rankings. They also wanted transparency, clear reporting for leadership, and a reliable way to track the impact of link building efforts across multiple programs and degree pages.
CUSTOM LINK BUILDING
Solution: Strategic, Data-Driven Link Building
We implemented a comprehensive approach combining quarterly Strategy Reviews, Looker reporting, and collaborative discussions to prioritize pages and link opportunities. Pre-approval for target domains gave stakeholders confidence, while data-driven planning allowed us to double link acquisition over the year. The process ensured every link contributed meaningfully to SEO growth, ranking improvements, and increased organic traffic. The result? Domain Authority up 9 points, organic traffic +20%, top-ranking keywords +65%, with target pages seeing triple-digit growth.
01Quarterly Strategy Reviews
We analyze link performance and progress every three months, allowing stakeholders to understand impact and adjust priorities accordingly.
02Targeted Page Discussions
Collaborative sessions identify priority pages and allocate link building resources to maximize ROI.
03Pre-Approval Domains
Clients approve domains before publishing, ensuring all links align with brand standards and strategic goals.
04Measurable Link Growth
From Sept 2025, link acquisition nearly doubled—from 32 to 62—directly contributing to stronger search visibility and rankings.
Target Page Results
Psychology (Masters):
Traffic 117 → 493 (+124%), Keywords 29 → 178, 38 links built
Online Degrees (Doctoral):
Traffic 0 → 2,257, Keywords 0 → 219, 28 links built
And more....
Healthcare (Masters): Traffic 18 → 185 (+164%), Keywords 10 → 86, 21 links built
Online Degrees (Masters): Traffic 125 → 646 (+191%), Keywords 3 → 75, 7 links built
Counseling (Bachelors): Traffic 22 → 98 (+127%), Keywords 23 → 42, 6 links built
Teaching (Masters): Traffic 414 → 596 (+36%), Keywords 119 → 231, 31 links built
ABSN Accelerated BSN: Keywords 925 → 1,107, top 10 keywords +118, 8 links built
Thanks to this campaign, the client is now:
- Achieving consistent organic growth across priority degree programs, with sitewide traffic up 20% year-over-year.
- Ranking for 65% more top 3 keywords, boosting visibility for highly competitive academic searches.
- Leveraging data-driven insights from quarterly strategy reviews to refine priorities and demonstrate measurable ROI to leadership.
- Building long-term domain authority, rising from DA 53 to 62 through sustainable, high-quality link acquisition.
- Turning key degree pages into top organic performers, driving qualified traffic and inquiries from prospective students nationwide.
/ Testimonials
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