Link Authority in SaaS SEO: Build Better Backlinks
Eliza Forgacs
If you’re reading this article, chances are you are fairly interested in SEO and link building. Probably terms like Domain Authority (DA), Domain Rating (DR), or high authority links ring a bell for you. These are not just buzzwords, they’re clear signs to search engines how much trust your website has earned across the web.
And when it comes to SaaS SEO, that trust can make or break your visibility.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- what link authority actually means,
- why it’s essential for SaaS growth,
- and how to build high-authority backlinks that move the needle.
Let’s decode Google’s algorithm, and learn how to gain its trust.
What Is Link Authority and Why Does It Matter?
Before we dive deep into the practical side of building backlinks and chasing DA scores, it’s worth pausing to understand what link authority actually is.
Authoritative backlinks are like your site’s digital reputation score. These are the links that help you rank higher, gain visibility, and add to your DA or DR. They come from credible, reputable sites, therefore their trustworthiness starts to affect your site and raise yours to their level in Google’s eyes.
How Does the Algorithm Work?
Search engines like Google are meticulous critics—always checking with an eagle eye, which sites deserve the spotlight of the first page of the SERP. Link authority is one of the strongest signals they look for. And when a well-established, trustworthy site links to your content, it’s essentially telling Google: “This one’s worth paying attention to.”
But not all links carry the same weight. A single link from a top-tier industry publication can do more than dozens of mentions from small, topically irrelevant blogs. So it’s not really about the number of backlinks, it’s more about earning the right ones for your business. Recent changes show that search engines care less and less about how many sites mention you—what really matters is who is vouching for you.
So, what exactly makes a link authoritative, and why does it carry so much weight in the SEO world?
Building Authority Backlinks = Building Your Reputation
You can think of link authority as the online credibility your website earns through trusted connections. Every time a credible site links to you, it strengthens your reputation in the eyes of Google (and even in your audience’s).
Especially for SaaS companies, where competition is fierce (and sometimes cruel) and keywords come with premium price tags—a few well-chosen authoritative backlinks can act like reputation accelerators. They tell Google and your users that your brand belongs in the top tier of your niche. They help your business:
- Climb search rankings faster
- Build brand trust in crowded markets
- Earn credibility that supports long-term growth
It’s just like networking at a SaaS conference: when an industry leader gives you a public shoutout, people notice and will remember. When a random attendee (no offense) does, not so much. That’s the essence behind authority links—quality over quantity, every single time.
Domain Authority vs. Domain Rating
You’re probably already familiar with these terms—DA and DR. They pop up in almost every SEO conversation and the general rule applies: the higher the number, the better. But numbers don’t share the whole story… Let's see what they are hiding.
What is Domain Authority (DA)?
Domain Authority comes from the SEO tool, Moz. It basically predicts how likely a site is to rank in Google search results. The number is based on multiple factors, such as backlink profile quality and overall SEO strength, including content and technical aspects.
What is Domain Rating (DR)?
In contrast to DA, Domain Rating feeds solely from one source—your website’s backlink profile. It comes from another highly useful SEO tool, Ahrefs, and it reflects on the quantity and authority of your referring domains.
Should I Focus on DA or DR?
DA and DR are very similar metrics, both rate on a 0-100 scale and both can tell tales about a site’s strengths (or weaknesses). The key differences are that they come and are used by different tools, and they measure slightly distinct things.
So which one should you care about? Well, both are helpful, but the truth is, neither one of them is gospel. Google doesn’t really use them, they’re third-party estimates that can indicate what Google will value.
I’d advise you to focus on earning links from trusted, high-authority domains that are relevant to your niche. That’s the golden rule and if you act on it, your DA and DR numbers will naturally follow.
Why Link Authority Matters for SaaS SEO
As I’ve mentioned earlier, in the case of a SaaS business link authority carries even more weight. A SaaS product lives and dies by its visibility. If no one can find you on Google, your brand is basically non-existent. It’s a cutthroat market where authoritative links can tip the balance in your favor.
Each quality backlink you earn for your website helps you gain that mysterious online visibility by acting as a vote of confidence for your product. Google interprets the links coming from high authority domains like signals that your software is trustworthy, helpful, and overall worth recommending. So it follows the lead and starts recommending it too—in the SERPs.
Just like search engines, SaaS buyers are also cautious. Long sales cycles are not uncommon in this field, you have to work hard for that trust before a buyer decides to go for it and subscribes. As a SaaS brand what you need is ongoing credibility.
That’s why authority links are especially powerful. They provide a clear indication that your product or content is backed by credible sources in your industry. And unlike e-commerce or local businesses, SaaS companies often compete globally. Authority links from a SEO point of view help you break out of the noise, climb over better-funded competitors, and earn the credibility that users (and Google) expect from top-tier tech brands.
How to Build High Authority Backlinks?
Now we’ve reached the most exciting part of the article: how to actually make it work? I’m going to be honest, building high authority backlinks isn't easy. It’s time-consuming, sometimes even frustrating and you won’t do any magic without strategy.
The key is earning links that make sense, add value, and come from trusted domains in your niche. Here’s a little checklist you could use for your link building journey:
1. Create content worth linking to.
If you want high-authority backlinks, start by creating something worth linking to. Data-driven reports, original research, in-depth industry insights, or unique case studies are evergreen backlink attractors. (if updated regularly)
Ask yourself: “Would I link to this if I were writing about the topic?” If the answer’s yes, you’re on the right track.
2. Guest post like a pro.
Share your expertise on reputable industry blogs and SaaS platforms. High-quality guest posts not only earn backlinks but also boost your brand visibility and credibility.
But remember, focus on teaching, not selling. If you provide real insights, editors (and readers) will trust you even more, and so will Google.
3. Get listed where it matters
Submit your product to relevant SaaS directories and review sites like G2, Capterra, or Product Hunt. These listings can send targeted traffic and pass powerful backlinks from high-authority domains.
Think of it as digital shelf space for your software—the right placement pays off.
4. Turn PR into high authority backlinks
Press mentions also build authority. Collaborate with journalists, media outlets, or industry partners to turn company milestones, funding rounds, and product launches into share-worthy stories.
A well-placed PR feature on a DA 70+ site can do more for your domain than months of cold outreach.
5. Engage in communities that count
Many backlinks come from genuine relationships and via the power of collaboration. Join SaaS communities, Slack groups, LinkedIn circles or niche forums. Help others, share useful insights and see what happens—maybe you end up with a few extra backlinks.
You can try Ranking Raccoon, which is a networking platform where marketers, site owners, and SaaS brands can collaborate and exchange links in a safe, transparent way.
How to Find High Domain Authority Sites for Backlinks?
So, for your business to scale, you’ll need highly authoritative backlinks from high authority domains. But where to find these trustworthy sites? Well, you don’t need to dig through the digital jungle and play the guessing game with cold email outreach… Because there’s a smarter way to do it:
The Ranking Raccoon Approach
Ranking Raccoon is a networking community built specifically for link builders, SaaS businesses, marketers, and website owners who want to exchange backlinks in a safe, transparent, and frustration-free way. No spam. No paid links. No ghosting. Just real people collaborating for mutual growth.
Every website in the community is manually vetted, so members only connect with trustworthy, relevant domains, and not random sites pulled from a database. This alone cuts out hours of manual checking and guessing.
The platform’s AI-assisted prospecting makes finding link opportunities incredibly efficient. The system automatically filters websites by topic and relevance, but you can search by DR range or check the recently added websites. For targeted outreach, the Pages feature lets members search content by keyword to find perfect contextual matches.
And because everything happens inside the platform, link builders can communicate directly via a built-in chat, agree on placements, share anchor text, and finalize links—all without cold emails or waiting forever for a reply.
The result? Prospecting becomes faster, cleaner, and far more efficient. What used to take days can now be done in minutes; leaving more time to focus on strategy instead of chasing inboxes.
Where Else to Find High Authority Backlink Opportunities?
Of course, Ranking Raccoon isn’t the only way to find strong link opportunities. If you prefer to combine community-driven networking with traditional prospecting, here are a few quick methods to uncover reliable, high-authority domains on your own.
1. Analyze competitors
Check your competitor’s backlink profiles. They could hide gems. See which sites link to them—maybe they will link to you too.
2. Find target sites with the help of Google
You can use Google’s advanced search operators to find topically relevant content to your niche.
3. Leverage SaaS directories
Platforms like G2, Capterra, or Product Hunt offer strong backlinks and drive qualified traffic when you list your product.
4. Look for resource pages and industry blogs.
Many sites have “Recommended Tools” or “Resources” pages. Reach out and suggest adding your SaaS if it fits the context.
5. Don’t ignore educational or media sites..
edu and .gov domains are gold. If you can offer useful content (like a case study, research data), they may link to you.
Common Mistakes in Authority Link Building
Relentlessly chasing after a goal might end up in tripping over your own tails. Not every backlink helps in the long-run, some might hurt your rankings, even if at first they seem like valid, high authority link options. Here’s what you should avoid:
Buying your backlinks
Paying for your links might seem like an achievable shortcut, but regrets will soon follow the bills. Google is becoming more and more aware of link schemes and unnatural patterns which might result in penalties or de-indexing your page.
Chasing metrics and ignoring relevance
Looking at only high DR or DA numbers when searching for target sites is not enough. Even if you manage to earn a link from a blog with an 80+ DR, if it’s unrelated to your niche, it’s going to go to waste. Topical fit matters more than raw numbers.
Over-optimizing your anchor texts
Try keeping a diverse anchor text profile. If every single one contains your exact keyword, it screams manipulation to search engines and just looks spammy. Pay attention to variety, have branded anchors, naked URLs, generic ones and partial matches to your keyword.
Forgetting about relationships
Tend to your link building partners and maintain your partnerships. You never know when something of value will come out of it. We’re humans after all and without networking we might miss out on fruitful opportunities.
Skipping link maintenance
Sometimes links just break and mentions vanish into the abyss. If you regularly audit your backlink profile, you can act accordingly, reach out and get them back.
Key Takeaways About Link Authority
Link authority is still one of the most powerful ranking signals in SEO, and in the SaaS world, it often determines whether your product gains visibility or gets buried under better-funded competitors. High-authority backlinks boost your rankings, strengthen your brand’s credibility, shorten trust-building cycles, and help you stand out in a brutally competitive market.
The goal isn’t to collect as many links as possible, but to earn the right ones. DA and DR can guide your decisions, but they’re just indicators—the real value lies in trust, contextual relevance, and the reputation of the sites linking to you.
Building that authority takes time, strategic outreach, and high-quality content. And while link building is often slow and frustrating, community-driven platforms like Ranking Raccoon make the process faster, safer, and far more collaborative by connecting SaaS brands, marketers, and site owners who want to build links the right way.
Play the long game, focus on trust, and your SaaS brand will earn the authority (and rankings) it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Authority Links
What is an authority link?
An authority link is a backlink from a reputable, high-quality website that search engines already trust. These sites have strong credibility, solid traffic, and valuable content—and when they link to you, a bit of that trust gets transferred.
Authoritative backlinks help improve your site’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), a key ranking factor for competitive SaaS niches.
Should I focus on DA or DR?
Both Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR) are useful benchmarks for evaluating potential link sources—but don’t obsess over them.
Neither metric is used by Google directly. Instead, try focusing on relevant, reputable domains that actually make sense for your SaaS audience. Your DA and DR will naturally rise as a result.
How long does it take to build link authority?
Link authority doesn’t grow overnight, SEO needs patience. Depending on your content strategy, outreach consistency, and competition, you can start seeing measurable improvements in 3 to 6 months.
What’s better: more backlinks or better backlinks?
Always choose quality over quantity. A handful of high-authority, topically relevant links can outperform hundreds of low-quality ones. Search engines value context, trust, and source credibility far more than raw link numbers.
Can I build link authority without guest posting?
Absolutely. While guest posting is effective, it’s not the only way. You can also:
- Publish original research or case studies and pitch industry leader sites to link you.
- Create data-driven infographics or tools others will reference.
- Participate in podcasts, webinars, or expert roundups for organic mentions.
- Use digital PR to get featured in press coverage or SaaS reviews.
- Exchange backlinks with relevant sites.
Does link authority really impact rankings in 2025?
Yes, I’d say more than ever. Google’s algorithms have evolved to prioritize trust signals and topical authority. Backlinks remain one of the clearest indicators of credibility, especially in competitive spaces like SaaS, fintech, and B2B tech.
How can I check my backlink authority?
Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush. Check your overall DA or DR, the quality and relevance of your referring domains, your link’s anchor text diversity, and look out for lost or broken backlinks.
Eliza Forgacs
Marketing Manager