How Reddit Is A Local SEO Backlink Source

A few months back I wrote about how Meetup.com can be a great way to get local backlinks. Today I wanted to let you know of another great local SEO backlink source, Reddit.

For the longest time I avoided Reddit. The main reason is the design of the website. I’m a design snob in some ways and viewing Reddit feels like it’s 1999.

But I’m always looking for local online discussion groups to engage with and to find backlink opportunities. Surely enough I found a subreddit for Victoria BC. A subreddit is a fancy name for a group. In that subreddit I found that there were a lot of on-going discussions about everything local.

What I also found is that many people use the Victoria subreddit for business recommendations. And this is your chance to use Reddit as a means to get local SEO backlinks for your website.

Before I explain how, DO NOT spam your local subreddit with a bunch of backlinks to your site. Engage in other discussions and add value to the community. You’ll get kicked out fairly quick by moderators if they notice you only post backlinks.

With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s help you find a local subreddit.

Search For A Subreddit

The first step is to search for a subreddit. By far the easiest way is to do a Google site search. If I was going to search for a Victoria BC subreddit, I would Google:

“site:reddit.com Victoria BC”

You can also use Reddit search bar located at the top right on the front page.

Now that you have found your subreddit, go ahead and search some terms that people use to describe your business. Use the same search bar within Reddit, but make sure you are in the subreddit before you do your search.

Otherwise, feel free to do a Google site search again. If I was looking for mentions of SEO, I would Google this:

“site:reddit.com/r/VictoriaBC/ seo”.

In a way this is a lot like using Twitter’s search function to find local leads.

What happens when you do find a thread where someone is looking for your service or business?

How To Link & Two Benefits Of Reddit Backlinks

When you happen to find a thread where someone asks for a recommendation or is looking for your business, be sure to state you are the business owner and give your elevator pitch. Don’t oversell yourself.

When you do comment, make sure to link back to your website. Follow the formatting for links in the image below.

If I was to link back to this site, I would format the link like this:

[//outcareyourcompetition.com/](Meaningful Marketing)

By engaging with your local subreddit, you are in a way networking. The more active you become, the more trust and credibility you build. This is the first benefit.

The second benefit is that you get a high quality dofollow backlink. Backlinks aren’t the top factor when it comes to local SEO and better rankings. But it’s still important.

I’m sure hardcore Redditors might get annoyed about me posting this. But again, be sure to engage with your local subreddit. Heck, even keep an eye out for opportunities to recommend friends. Just DON’T spam!