In 2025, off-page SEO is about earning trust signals across the web instead of earning backlinks. Search engines evaluate the ways in which other sites, people, and publishers discuss your brand. If you want to have solid off-page authority, then you'll want to get good at these distinct rights:
1. Earn quality backlinks rather than focusing on the quantity. Target niche-focused websites that already have authoritative standing and are already ranked well. Instead of relying on link exchanges, establish connections with other like-minded professionals that could lead to a relationship—collaborate on guest posts, partner on insights, or simply provide expert commentary that gets you a natural mention.
2. Build brand mentions all over the web. Don't forget about unlinked mentions. When your brand shows up on forums, reviews, and any industry discussions, Google counts it as a credibility signal. Take part in Q&A communities, contribute on LinkedIn, and encourage customer reviews.
3. Use content as an outreach technique. With over 20 years working in content marketing, I've learned that the data-rich assets—like reports, infographics, or case studies—are the most shareable, and they are the ones people earn mentions from journalists, bloggers, and businesses they share their content with. When distributed and shared in relevant online communities, it makes sense that those efforts attract citations from journalists, bloggers, and businesses that they mention.
4. Leverage trusted marketplaces. When you list your business on a marketplace like Pepagora, you are not only findable, but you’re also creating a credible link source on your backlink profile that search engines already deem authoritative.
Off-page SEO is the opposite of manipulation in 2025 and it's all about building.