What is link building and is it worth studying in 2025?

A website can be perfect — fast, beautiful, filled with expert content. But until it is linked to by others, in the eyes of search engines, it is nothing more than a novice. This is where the link builder comes in, the one who knows how to turn an unknown page into an authoritative source. Who is a link builder? A specialist in building trust on the internet — a person who helps a website grow in search results through external URL addresses. And in 2025, their work becomes even more crucial.

Who is a link builder and why are they key in SEO?

An external optimization manager is responsible for building a link profile — placing external links on thematic, high-quality websites. But this is not a random process: it requires analysis, strategy, and constant interaction with platforms, editors, and webmasters. In 2025, their work directly impacts search engine optimization, visibility, and organic traffic for a website.

What does a link builder do: daily tasks and processes

Understanding who a link builder is is easiest by imagining the internet as a giant web. The work of a link specialist is not just sending emails requesting links. Every day, they analyze competitors, study the link profile, search for new resources, assess their quality and thematic relevance. Special attention is paid to the types of URL addresses — anchor, non-anchor, nofollow, dofollow — and their placement in a natural context.

They also maintain tables, work with SEO services, compile reports, and monitor changes in ranking algorithms.

What are the relevant link acquisition methods in 2025?

If in the past everything was solved by buying URL addresses on dubious forums, today the approach has become much more refined. A modern link profile analyst acts flexibly: they can offer a guest post, publish a column on a media platform, arrange content exchanges, insert hyperlinks through press releases or special projects.

Link acquisition methods have become creative and essentially marketing-oriented. Many links come thanks to thoughtful content, mentions in rankings, interviews, and professional comments.

How to become a link builder without experience or a related education?

Good news: to enter the profession, you don’t need an IT diploma. It’s enough to have an interest in SEO, perseverance, and the ability to analyze. Those wondering how to become a link builder start by studying the principles of search engine optimization and the metrics used to assess the quality of a website and its hyperlinks.

Then comes practice. You can practice on your own website, offer your services to small businesses, participate in internships, or assist SEO specialists. To understand who a link builder is, it’s important to learn how to identify quality platforms, maintain reporting, and develop systematic thinking — all of which are fundamental to the profession.

What skills will help in the profession and career growth?

The path of an external SEO promotion expert does not end with the first placement. To become a truly sought-after specialist, you need to develop flexibility, strategic thinking, confident use of tools, report management skills, without which it’s impossible to track the effectiveness of your work.

Communication skills help in finding partners, negotiating, and building long-term relationships with editors. Analytics is needed to distinguish valuable URL addresses from trash. Knowledge of tools like Ahrefs, Serpstat, Netpeak Checker makes your work efficient, and proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets is a prerequisite for a systematic approach.

And, of course, it’s important to be aware of Google’s algorithms and follow trends — link building today requires regular updating of approaches and deep adaptation to changing search engine rules.

How much does a link builder earn in 2025?

A link builder’s salary depends on many factors: experience, task complexity, work format, and the client’s country. Novice freelancers can expect to earn 30,000–60,000 rubles per month. More experienced specialists, especially those working with the Western market, earn 2–3 times more.

If a link specialist works in a team and manages projects independently, their income can exceed 150,000–200,000 rubles. Advancement to a team lead or senior SEO specialist is also possible. Career growth directly depends on who a link builder is in essence — not just an executor, but an analyst, strategist, and negotiator. The better the results and the broader the thinking, the faster the specialist develops.

Profession Advantages: Why study link building in 2025?

To understand whether it’s worth developing in the niche, it’s enough to look at its key advantages:

• format flexibility: most external optimization managers work remotely;
• high demand in the internet marketing and SEO market;
• easy entry — you can start without a technical education;
• quick results — progress is visible within a month or two;
• the opportunity to work with clients worldwide.

These characteristics make the profession attractive to those seeking remote work related to analytics, systematic thinking, and soft skills.

Where to find work for a link builder: useful platforms and channels

If you are a beginner and want to understand who a link builder is and how to start, the path is simpler than it seems. You just need to know where to find your first tasks:

• Telegram chats with SEO orders;
• freelance exchanges: Kwork, FL.ru, Upwork, Freelancer;
• job postings on hh.ru, vc.ru, Habr Career;
• closed communities on website promotion and digital marketing;
• specialized agencies that hire assistants without experience.

The first order may be small, but even it will pave the way for those looking to establish a stable income online, build a portfolio, receive reviews, and start attracting regular clients.

Conclusion

If you are interested in who a link builder is, know that they are not just someone placing links, but a specialist on whom a website’s online reputation, search positions, and organic traffic depend. Their work combines elements of analytics, marketing, negotiations, and strategy.

How to become a link building specialist? Gradually, but consistently: from theory to practice, from trial placements to systematic work with clients. In 2025, external optimization remains an integral part of search promotion, and those who delve deep into link profile development have the opportunity to build a career, earn remotely, and grow in the digital environment.

Developing a business online requires constant website optimization, increasing visibility in search engine results, and attracting organic traffic. These tasks are handled by an SEO specialist. Companies compete for traffic, which means that high-quality specialists are always in demand. This profession is accessible even to those who have no experience in digital marketing.

The average salary of an SEO specialist in Russia starts at 80,000 rubles, and abroad it can exceed $3000 per month. The income level depends on experience, specialization, and region of work. To achieve such indicators, one needs to go from a beginner to an expert. How to become an SEO specialist from scratch, where to start, and what knowledge is required — this article will answer these questions.

Main Responsibilities and Skills of an SEO Specialist

Professional activity in the field of SEO includes a wide range of tasks that require analytical, technical, and marketing competencies. To work successfully, one must understand search engine algorithms, be able to work with data, and apply a strategic approach to website promotion.

Main responsibilities:

• Analysis and audit — studying competitors, evaluating website visibility, identifying technical errors and weaknesses;
• On-page optimization — adjusting the structure of web pages, writing SEO texts, improving user experience;
• Off-page optimization — working with link building, crowd marketing, improving behavioral factors;
• Analytics and strategy — setting up data tracking, forecasting position and conversion growth.

Each of these points requires a deep understanding of search engine algorithms, skills in working with SEO tools, and a comprehensive approach to promotion.

Skills Required for an SEO Specialist

To successfully master the profession, one needs to possess a wide range of skills. Some skills are necessary for technical work, while others are for systematic planning and content management.

How to become an SEO specialist from scratch? You need to master:

1. Working with tools: ability to analyze data in Google Analytics, Yandex.Metrica, conduct technical audits in Screaming Frog, work with backlink profile analyzers like Ahrefs and SEMrush;
2. Ranking principles: understanding how Google and Yandex algorithms work. Knowledge of ranking factors: behavioral signals, content quality, page loading speed;
3. Basic programming: basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for meta tag adjustments, understanding how JavaScript and Python work for automating SEO tasks;
4. Content marketing and copywriting: skillful creation of a semantic core, keyword selection, writing SEO-optimized texts, and analyzing their effectiveness;
5. Analytical thinking is also important: ability to evaluate traffic metrics, make forecasts based on analytics, adapt promotion strategies.

These competencies allow for creating effective SEO strategies, improving website positions in search results, and achieving sustainable organic traffic growth.

How to Become an SEO Specialist from Scratch: Step-by-Step Learning Plan

When mastering SEO optimization, learning starts with studying theory and applying knowledge in practice. Skill development happens gradually, from understanding the basics of search engine optimization to deep diving into technical aspects and analytics. For beginners, we recommend:

1. Take free courses and study materials. Among the most useful resources are:
   • Google Digital Garage — a course from Google on the basics of SEO.
   • HubSpot Academy — materials on digital marketing, including search engine optimization.
   • Ahrefs Blog — a source of up-to-date information on SEO trends, link building, and content marketing.
2. Follow leading blogs and YouTube channels. Among them are:
   • Backlinko — one of the best SEO blogs with detailed guides.
   • MOZ — a platform with analytical articles and practical recommendations.
   • Netpeak — a Russian-language blog about SEO and digital marketing.
3. Launch a test project. Creating a website or blog on your own allows you to apply learned optimization methods in practice, from keyword selection to on-page and off-page optimization.
4. Master Google tools. Key services necessary for SEO analysis:
   • Google Search Console — helps track website visibility in the Google search engine, identify errors, and manage indexing.
   • Google Analytics — a platform for traffic analysis, conversion tracking, and user behavior.

These steps build fundamental knowledge and allow for delving into professional activities. For a deep understanding of search engine algorithms, we recommend regularly analyzing successful cases, participating in SEO forums, and testing various promotion methods on your own projects.

Working as an SEO Specialist: How to Find the First Project and Achieve Stable Income

Searching for initial projects is an important stage in a career. Beginners can consider several options for finding their first job:

• Freelance platforms: Upwork, FL.ru, Kwork — an opportunity to complete initial projects and build a portfolio;
• Internship positions: agencies and digital companies are looking for young specialists with the prospect of further growth;
• Creating a personal blog: publishing case studies and expert materials helps attract the attention of employers.

Developing a professional portfolio and actively participating in the SEO community accelerate the process of achieving stable earnings.

How to Increase an SEO Specialist’s Income

Income growth depends on the level of competencies and a correctly chosen strategy. To increase income, consider:

• Mastering a niche specialization: e-commerce SEO, local promotion, working with SaaS projects;
• Developing a personal brand: speaking at conferences, publishing in professional publications;
• Scaling activities: transitioning from freelancing to running your own agency.

Systematic skill development and building your own work strategy help achieve a high income in the SEO field.

Conclusion

How to become an SEO specialist from scratch is a relevant question for many, as this profession is in demand. Mastery begins with learning the basics, working on personal projects, and taking on initial freelance projects. The key to success is a systematic approach to learning and regular practice. Studying search engine algorithms, testing strategies, and working with analytical tools help achieve high results. Being prepared for continuous development is crucial, as continuous learning defines success in the SEO field.