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How to Get Backlinks From Comparison Articles

BacklinkScan Teamon Dec 24, 2025
29 min read

Getting backlinks from comparison articles is one of the strongest ways to rank for high-intent keywords like “X vs Y” and “best tools for…” while driving ready-to-buy visitors. When you understand how comparison content, listicles, and “vs alternatives” pages earn links, you can systematically pitch your product, replace weaker resources, and claim missed opportunities.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify comparison pages already linking to your competitors, evaluate which ones are worth pursuing, and craft outreach that gets you added as another option (or even replaces an outdated recommendation). You’ll also see how to create your own high-converting comparison pages that naturally attract links—so getting backlinks from comparison articles becomes a repeatable, reliable part of your link-building strategy.

What counts as a comparison article in SEO

In SEO, a comparison article is any page that helps a searcher choose between options. It usually targets queries like “Tool A vs Tool B,” “Best X for Y,” or “X alternatives.” These pages line up products, tools, or services and show how they differ on features, pricing, use cases, and pros and cons.

A comparison article is not just a generic review. It is built around decision intent. The reader already knows the category and is trying to narrow down choices. Good comparison content reflects that by:

  • Naming specific brands or models
  • Showing side‑by‑side differences
  • Addressing who each option is best for

Alternative pages are a close cousin. They focus on “X alternatives” or “X competitors,” but still compare multiple options in one place and help users switch from one solution to another.

Why writers love linking to comparison and “vs” content

Writers, bloggers, and journalists link to comparison articles because they solve a problem they do not want to solve from scratch: explaining choices. When they mention a product category, it is easier to point readers to a neutral “best tools” or “X vs Y” guide than to write a full breakdown themselves.

Comparison content also feels safer to cite. It looks less like a sales page and more like a resource that:

  • Covers multiple brands, not just one
  • Shows evidence like pricing, screenshots, or reviews
  • Helps readers make an informed decision

From an SEO angle, these pages often rank for high‑intent queries, so they already have traffic and authority. Linking to them improves the citing article’s usefulness and user experience, which modern ranking systems reward.

Because of this, strong comparison pages naturally attract editorial backlinks over time, especially from roundup posts, buying guides, and niche blogs that want a trustworthy reference.

Not all comparison pages earn backlinks at the same rate. In practice, three formats tend to attract the most links and mentions:

  1. “Best X for Y” pages These are classic list posts like “Best email marketing tools for small businesses.” They rank for broad, high‑volume keywords and are easy for other writers to reference when they need a quick resource for readers who are still choosing a solution. Their broad scope makes them linkable from many different angles and industries.

  2. Head‑to‑head “A vs B” pages These target very specific comparison searches such as “Notion vs Trello” or “Shopify vs WooCommerce.” Searchers here are close to a decision, and content creators often link to these pages when discussing one of the brands or the broader category. Because they answer a very focused question, they tend to win featured snippets and get cited in forums, newsletters, and blog posts.

  3. “X alternatives” and “competitors to X” pages These pages capture users who are unhappy with a current tool and actively looking to switch. They often compare several competing products and highlight unique features or gaps in the market. In SaaS and software especially, “alternatives” pages are considered a high‑ROI asset for both conversions and organic visibility, which makes them a frequent target for links from reviews, migration guides, and industry blogs.

Across all three types, the pages that earn the most backlinks share a few traits: clear structure, honest pros and cons, up‑to‑date pricing or feature data, and obvious value for readers who are about to buy. When those elements are in place, comparison articles become natural link magnets.

Make sure you actually fit into the comparison (product, tool, service)

Before you chase comparison backlinks, check that your offer genuinely belongs in the lineup. Editors want to protect their readers, so they look for products and tools that clearly solve the same problem as the items they already mention.

Start by defining the primary job your product does. If a page compares “email marketing platforms,” but you are mainly a CRM with a tiny email add‑on, you will feel like a stretch. On the other hand, if your feature set, pricing tier and target audience match what is already on the page, you are a natural fit.

Look at how competitors are positioned: are they sold as enterprise tools, SMB solutions, or solo‑founder friendly? If your pricing or use cases are wildly different, you may be better suited to a different angle, such as “best free alternatives” or “best for beginners,” instead of the main “best overall” list.

Being honest here saves time. When you only pitch comparisons where you clearly belong, your outreach feels relevant, your acceptance rate climbs, and you avoid burning relationships with editors.

A comparison backlink is only as good as the page it points to. Editors want to send readers to landing pages that are clear, trustworthy and conversion‑ready. If your product page looks thin, confusing or outdated, they will hesitate to add you, even if your tool is great.

Create a focused landing page for the product or plan you want featured. Include:

  • A concise value proposition above the fold
  • Screenshots or short demos that show how it works
  • Transparent pricing or at least a clear “from” price
  • Social proof such as reviews, logos or short testimonials
  • A simple call to action that matches the comparison intent (free trial, demo, or “see pricing”)

Make sure the page loads fast, works well on mobile and uses language that matches the keywords people search for in comparisons, like “email marketing software” or “SEO reporting tool.” When your landing page looks like the obvious place to send readers, editors are far more comfortable linking to it.

Create your own comparison, alternatives and vs pages first

Before you ask others to include you in their comparison content, build your own comparison, alternatives and “vs” pages. These pages do three important jobs.

First, they help you rank for high‑intent searches like “tool A vs tool B” and “best X alternatives,” which can drive qualified traffic and conversions on their own. Second, they show editors that you understand the comparison space and are willing to treat competitors fairly. A balanced, honest comparison builds trust much faster than a one‑sided sales page.

Third, your own comparison content becomes a linkable asset. Other writers researching the same topic may reference your tables, definitions or data, earning you passive backlinks over time.

When you create these pages, keep them neutral in tone, clearly explain who each option is best for, and avoid trashing competitors. If your brand is already hosting useful comparison content, your outreach to be added to someone else’s “best” or “vs” article feels like a natural extension, not a cold ask.

Start by running a competitor backlink analysis on the domains that already outrank you for key terms. Any modern backlink tool will let you plug in a competitor’s domain or a specific URL and export its backlinks.

Once you have that list, focus on the linking pages, not just the referring domains. Sort or filter by:

  • Page URL
  • Page title
  • Anchor text

You are looking for URLs and titles that clearly signal comparison intent, such as “best”, “vs”, “alternatives”, “compare”, “review”, or “top tools”. Many tools also let you search within the backlink report, so you can quickly surface only those comparison-style pages instead of wading through every link.

If your tool has a “top pages” or “most linked pages” report, run it for each competitor. This often reveals which of their comparison guides, “best X” lists, and “X vs Y” posts attract the most backlinks, which is exactly where you want to be mentioned.

Export these filtered results into a spreadsheet so you can tag each opportunity, note the type of comparison page, and plan outreach.

Filtering for “best”, “vs”, and “alternatives” pages

To find comparison articles at scale, combine backlink data with smart filtering. After you export competitor backlinks, run simple text filters on:

  • Page title: look for “best”, “top”, “vs”, “versus”, “compare”, “comparison”, “alternatives”, “similar tools”, “instead of”, “like [competitor]”.
  • URL: scan for /best-, /vs-, /compare-, /alternatives-, /review/, /roundup/.
  • Anchor text: phrases like “best [category] tools”, “[competitor] alternatives”, or “[tool A] vs [tool B]”.

This quickly strips out random mentions and leaves you with high-intent comparison pages that already link to at least one competitor. Those sites have proven they are willing to evaluate options and add outbound links, which makes them ideal prospects.

You can also run keyword-based backlink searches in some tools: enter phrases like “best project management tools” or “[competitor] alternatives” and see which pages rank and who they link to. Add any relevant pages you find to your outreach list.

Spotting list posts, head‑to‑head vs pages and roundup reviews

Not all comparison content looks the same, and how you pitch depends on the format. As you review competitor backlinks, classify each linking page into a simple type:

  1. List posts / “best X” roundups These are “10 best email marketing tools” style posts. They usually feature many products, short blurbs, and comparison tables. Your goal here is to be added as another option with a clear angle like “best for small teams” or “best budget choice”.

  2. Head‑to‑head “vs” pages These compare two or three products in depth, often with sections like features, pricing, pros and cons, and a verdict. If a site already has “Tool A vs Tool B”, you might pitch a new vs page that includes you, or suggest a follow‑up like “Tool A vs Tool B vs Your Tool” if your product genuinely fits the same use case.

  3. Roundup reviews and buying guides These look more like editorial reviews or seasonal guides: “Top CRM tools for 2025”, “Best laptops for students”, “Holiday gift guide for photographers”. They often mix reviews, affiliate links, and comparison tables. Treat these as editorial opportunities and tailor your pitch to how your product fills a gap in their coverage.

By tagging each backlink opportunity as list post, vs page, or roundup review, you can prioritize the ones that match your strengths and craft outreach that feels relevant instead of generic.

Discover new comparison topics people are already searching for

Keyword research for “best X for Y” and “tool A vs tool B” phrases

Start by treating comparison keywords as their own research bucket. You are looking for phrases that clearly signal commercial investigation intent: “best,” “top,” “vs,” “compare,” “alternatives,” “review,” and “for [use case].” These modifiers usually mean the searcher is weighing options and is close to buying.

A simple workflow:

  1. Plug your core product or category into a keyword tool and filter for terms containing “best,” “vs,” and “alternatives.”
  2. Expand with “best X for Y” patterns, like “best CRM for real estate agents” or “best project management tool for agencies.” These long‑tail phrases often have lower competition but very high intent.
  3. For “tool A vs tool B” ideas, type your brand and main competitors into Google with “vs” and collect autosuggest and “People also ask” variations. Many of these head‑to‑head comparisons have strong CPCs, which is a good proxy for commercial value.

Aim to build a list that mixes:

  • Broad “best X” category pages.
  • Specific “best X for Y” use‑case pages.
  • Direct “A vs B” and “A alternatives” pages.

This gives you plenty of angles for both content creation and outreach.

Validating search intent so your outreach targets the right pages

Once you have candidate keywords, you need to confirm that Google sees them as comparison queries. Do not rely only on the wording. Open the SERP and scan the top results: if you see list posts, “best” roundups, “X vs Y” breakdowns, and review‑style content, you are looking at clear commercial investigation intent.

If instead you see mostly product pages or store listings, the keyword is drifting into transactional territory. That can still be valuable for sales, but it is less ideal for earning editorial backlinks from comparison articles.

For each keyword, ask:

  • What format dominates? Listicle, single review, ecommerce page, documentation?
  • How “salesy” are the top pages? Are they neutral guides or brand‑owned landing pages?
  • Are there obvious gaps, like missing use cases or outdated options?

Prioritize keywords where the SERP is full of editorial “best,” “vs,” and “alternatives” content. Those are the pages whose authors are most likely to add you as another option when you reach out.

Prioritizing niches and angles where you can realistically rank

Not every comparison topic is worth chasing. You want comparison keywords where you can both rank and win links. To prioritize, combine three checks:

  1. Competition level Look at domain authority and content quality of the top 5 results. If they are all huge, entrenched brands with deep comparison libraries, that niche may be hard to crack. Instead, look for SERPs where smaller blogs, niche sites, or forums appear on page one.

  2. Search volume vs. specificity A massive “best project management software” keyword might be too broad. “Best project management software for construction teams” or “agency project management tools comparison” will usually have lower volume but higher intent and less competition. These focused angles are often better targets for both rankings and outreach.

  3. Commercial value and fit Check whether the keyword clearly matches what you sell. If your product is built for freelancers, “enterprise CRM vs Salesforce” is a poor fit, even if it has volume. Favor topics where:

  • Your product is a natural contender.
  • The audience matches your ideal customers.
  • Advertisers are bidding (high CPC), which signals strong commercial value.

By filtering your “best X for Y” and “tool A vs tool B” ideas through intent, competition, and commercial fit, you end up with a focused set of comparison topics that people are already searching for and where you have a real chance to rank, attract links, and convert visitors.

Structuring a clear, honest comparison that doesn’t feel like a sales page

Editors link to comparison content when it helps their readers make a decision, not when it reads like a brochure. Start with a neutral intro that explains who the comparison is for and what problems it solves. Make it clear you will cover strengths, weaknesses and alternatives, not just why your product is “the best”.

Use a consistent structure for each option: short overview, key features, pricing, ideal users, and limitations. Keep your brand in the same format as every other product so the page feels fair. Avoid hype words and vague claims; instead, back statements with specifics like feature limits, support hours or usage caps.

Finally, be transparent about any affiliations or sponsorships. A short note about partnerships builds trust and makes editors more comfortable linking to your comparison.

Using tables, feature checklists and pricing breakdowns

Editors love comparison pages that do the hard work of synthesis. Tables and checklists make that happen. A simple table that lines up core features, limits and pricing tiers lets readers scan differences in seconds and gives other writers something concrete to reference.

Use columns for each product and rows for the factors people actually compare: price range, free trial, key features, integrations, support, and standout strengths. Keep it readable on mobile by limiting the number of columns or splitting tables by category.

Pricing breakdowns should be clear and current, but not cluttered. Summarize typical monthly ranges, who each plan suits, and any gotchas like required add‑ons or usage fees. When your comparison page becomes the easiest place to grab accurate pricing context, it naturally attracts backlinks.

Adding use cases, pros and cons, and who each option is best for

The best comparison content goes beyond specs and answers “Which one is right for me?”. For each product, add short use case snapshots such as “best for solo creators”, “best for agencies managing multiple clients”, or “best for enterprise security needs”.

List pros and cons in plain language. Pros should highlight real advantages like speed, support quality or unique features. Cons should mention trade‑offs such as steep learning curves, missing integrations or higher pricing. Honest negatives make the whole page more credible and more link‑worthy.

Close each section with a “best for” sentence that ties everything together. Editors often quote or paraphrase these lines when they mention tools in their own “best X for Y” posts, which is exactly how you earn comparison backlinks.

Showcasing unique data, stats or visuals that other sites will cite

If you want editors to link to your comparison instead of a competitor’s, give them something they cannot get elsewhere. That usually means original data, clear visuals, or both.

You might run a small benchmark test, survey users, or manually review features across tools, then turn the findings into charts, bar graphs or simple visual scorecards. Highlight metrics that matter to buyers, such as uptime, response times, average onboarding time, or real user satisfaction scores.

Label visuals clearly and explain how you gathered the data so other writers feel safe citing it. When your comparison page becomes the source of a useful chart or stat, it gets referenced in “best”, “vs” and “alternatives” articles without you having to ask, steadily building high‑quality backlinks over time.

Outreach strategies to get added to existing comparison posts

How to find the right person to contact for each article

Start with the comparison page itself. Many “best X for Y” and “tool A vs tool B” posts show the author name near the title or at the bottom. Click through to the author bio to see if they are a freelance writer, in‑house content marketer, or editor. If the post is part of a larger site, look for a masthead, “team” page, or “editorial” page to identify who owns that section.

Once you know the likely decision‑maker, use an email finder or LinkedIn search to get a direct address instead of a generic contact form. Aim for roles like content manager, editor, SEO lead, or the specific author. If you cannot find a named person, use the site’s contact page and address your message to the most relevant team (for example, “content team” or “editorial team”) and reference the exact URL and article title so it reaches the right inbox quickly.

Email templates to ask for inclusion as another option

Your outreach email should be short, specific, and clearly tied to the comparison post. A simple structure works well:

  1. Personal opening that proves you read the article.
  2. Clear request to be considered as another option.
  3. One or two reasons your product fits the comparison.
  4. A low‑friction next step.

For example:

Subject: Quick suggestion for your [best X for Y] guide

Hi [Name], I was reading your article on [title] and liked how you compared [competitor A] and [competitor B] for [audience/use case].

I work with [your product], which helps [specific type of user] with [main benefit]. It covers [key feature] that your readers look for when choosing between these tools.

If you ever update that guide, would you consider adding [your product] as another option? I can share a short blurb, screenshots, and current pricing to make the update easy.

Either way, thanks for putting together such a clear comparison.

Keep follow‑ups polite and spaced out. One or two gentle reminders are usually enough.

What to offer editors so your pitch doesn’t feel one‑sided

Editors are busy and protective of their comparison posts. To avoid sounding like “please give me a free link,” show what they gain by including you. You can offer:

  • A concise, ready‑to‑paste description that matches their formatting.
  • Fresh data, benchmarks, or unique features that make their comparison more complete.
  • Temporary access to your product so they can test it and improve their review.
  • Exclusive discounts or bonuses for their readers, if appropriate.

Frame your offer around improving their article: more accurate, more up to date, and more useful for their audience. When you make the update easy and clearly beneficial, your outreach feels like collaboration instead of a favor request.

You will hear “we don’t update old posts” or “we don’t add more tools” quite often. When that happens, thank them, then gently explore if there is any flexibility: for example, asking whether they ever refresh the guide annually, or if they would consider swapping out a clearly outdated option for a more current one. Sometimes the door is closed for now, but open when they next revise the content.

If a site asks for payment to add your product, decide based on your policy and the site’s quality. For many brands, paying for inclusion in a comparison post is not worth the risk or cost. In that case, decline politely, keep the relationship warm, and move on to editors who are open to merit‑based updates. Over time, focus your energy on comparison pages where your product genuinely improves the content and the publisher is comfortable with organic, editorial links.

Pitching your product for new comparison and roundup content

Finding journalists and bloggers who regularly write comparison pieces

Start by building a focused list of people who already publish comparison and roundup content in your niche. Search for queries like “best [your product type]”, “[tool] alternatives”, and “[competitor] vs” and note which bylines keep showing up. When you see the same journalist or blogger attached to multiple comparison pieces, add them to a dedicated outreach list.

Check their author pages to see what they cover, how often they write buying guides, and whether they lean toward consumer, SMB, or enterprise audiences. This helps you pitch angles that match their beat instead of sending a generic “please include us” email.

Social platforms are also useful. Many writers share new “best tools” or “top products” articles as they publish them. Follow them, engage with their posts, and pay attention to the language they use when asking for recommendations or feedback. Over time, you will know exactly who to approach for each type of comparison article.

Using HARO and similar platforms for “best tools” and “top products” mentions

Journalist–source platforms are a direct line into new comparison and roundup content. Modern versions of HARO and similar services send daily or real‑time requests from writers who are actively looking for tools, products, and expert quotes for upcoming “best” and “top” lists.

Set up alerts around your category, core features, and competitor names. When a request matches, respond quickly with a short, on‑topic pitch: who you are, what your product does, why it is different, and a concise quote or data point they can drop straight into the article. Include a one‑sentence positioning line that makes it easy to slot you into a comparison, such as “a lightweight alternative to [well‑known tool] for solo founders.”

Do not limit yourself to a single platform. Many journalists now use multiple request services plus social hashtags for source calls. Treat these channels as an ongoing prospecting stream for comparison and roundup opportunities, not a one‑off campaign.

Timing outreach around launches, updates or seasonal buying guides

Pitching your product for comparison content works best when there is a clear reason to talk about you right now. Use your roadmap and the editorial calendar of your niche to time outreach.

Plan proactive pitches around:

  • Major feature launches or redesigns that change how you stack up against competitors.
  • Pricing changes or new plans that open you up to a different segment.
  • Seasonal buying cycles, such as tax season for finance tools, Black Friday for ecommerce software, or back‑to‑school for education products.

When you contact journalists and bloggers, reference the timing explicitly: “We just released [feature] that puts us in direct competition with [category leaders]” or “We are seeing a spike in [use case] ahead of [season], here is fresh data your readers can use.” This gives them a hook for a new “best tools for [year/season]” guide or an updated comparison.

If you know a site refreshes its “best [category] tools” list every year or quarter, reach out a few weeks before their usual update window. Offer a quick briefing, a test account, or exclusive data so it is easier for them to justify adding your product to their next comparison or roundup.

Creating reusable comparison charts other blogs can embed

Reusable comparison charts turn your research into a link magnet. Instead of every writer building their own table from scratch, they can simply embed yours and credit you with a backlink.

Start by designing clean, scannable charts that compare the main options in your niche on the factors people actually care about: price, key features, limits, support, and ideal use cases. Keep the layout simple, mobile friendly, and easy to understand at a glance.

To make comparison charts truly reusable, give each one a stable URL and an embed option. Even a basic HTML snippet that includes a small “source” credit back to your site is enough. Update the data on a regular schedule so editors can trust that your comparison stays accurate over time. When you pitch these charts, highlight that they save writers time and reduce the risk of outdated information in their own posts.

Building small free tools or calculators that fit into comparison posts

Small, focused tools and calculators are perfect companions for comparison content. A “cost over 3 years” calculator, a “feature fit” quiz, or a “plan picker” tool helps readers move from reading a comparison to making a decision. That extra utility gives bloggers a strong reason to link to you.

Keep these tools narrow and fast. They should load quickly, work well on mobile, and require no login. Add a short explanation of what the tool does, how to use it, and where its assumptions come from. Then create a simple embed or “use this calculator in your article” link so comparison writers can drop it into their own pages.

When you reach out, position your tool as something that makes their comparison more interactive and useful, not as a promotion for your brand. The more neutral and broadly helpful it feels, the more likely it is to earn organic backlinks over time.

Offering white‑label graphics writers can drop into their articles

White‑label graphics are pre‑made visuals that other sites can use without heavy editing. For comparison backlinks, think of assets like:

  • Neutral feature comparison diagrams
  • Flowcharts that help readers choose between options
  • Simple “good fit vs bad fit” visuals for different tools or services

Design these graphics so they are brand‑light: minimal logos, no aggressive calls to action, and colors that will not clash with most sites. Offer them in common formats and sizes, and include a short usage note that encourages, but does not force, attribution with a link.

Create a dedicated page that showcases all your comparison graphics, explains how writers can use them, and provides download or embed options. When you pitch editors, you can point them to this library and suggest one or two specific visuals that match their comparison article. Over time, this library can attract passive backlinks from writers who discover and reuse your graphics on their own.

Comparison pages often attract strong backlinks, but the real value comes when you channel that authority and traffic into your product and feature pages. Treat each comparison page as a hub that routes visitors to the next logical step.

Start by mapping every major product or feature page to at least one comparison page. Inside the comparison content, add clear internal links with descriptive anchor text such as “advanced reporting features” or “pricing for small teams,” not just “click here.” Place these links where intent is highest: near verdict sections, feature breakdowns, and “who this is for” summaries.

Use contextual links rather than giant banners. A short paragraph that explains why someone might choose your product, followed by a text link to the relevant feature or pricing page, usually feels more trustworthy and converts better.

Finally, make sure your internal links are crawlable and consistent. Avoid orphaned product pages and keep your main contenders no more than a couple of clicks away from your strongest comparison content.

Using “best for X” sections to push visitors deeper into your funnel

“Best for X” sections are perfect for guiding visitors from research mode into action. Instead of a single winner, break your comparison into clear segments like “Best for freelancers,” “Best for enterprises,” or “Best budget option.”

Under each label, briefly explain why that option fits the use case, then link to a tailored landing page. For example, “Best for agencies” should point to a page that speaks directly to agency workflows, not a generic homepage. This keeps the journey consistent with the intent that brought them to the comparison in the first place.

You can also use “best for X” blocks to introduce mid‑funnel content. Link to case studies, demo signup pages, or detailed feature explainers that match the segment. The goal is to move people from broad comparison traffic into focused, high‑intent experiences without feeling pushy.

Not every comparison backlink is equally valuable, so you need a simple way to see which ones actually drive revenue. Start by tagging internal links from comparison pages to key conversion pages with analytics tracking. Use goals or events for actions like free trials, demos, and purchases, and segment those by landing page.

In your analytics platform, build reports that show:

  • Sessions and conversions that started on a comparison page
  • Assisted conversions where a comparison page appeared earlier in the journey
  • Revenue or lead value attributed to those sessions

Combine this with backlink data so you can see which external comparison pages are sending traffic to your own comparison content. When you notice a specific comparison page or topic leading to more signups or higher‑value customers, double down: improve that page, add more internal links, and create related “best for X” angles.

Over time, this feedback loop helps you focus on comparison backlinks that do more than boost rankings. They become a measurable driver of signups and sales, not just vanity metrics in a link report.

Start by treating comparison backlinks like a separate “campaign” in your reporting. Tag every link that comes from a best, vs, or alternatives page in your backlink tool or spreadsheet. Note the URL, anchor text, page type, and date first seen.

Check for new comparison backlinks at a regular cadence, such as weekly or monthly, rather than obsessing daily. Compare each new batch against your target list of comparison pages so you can see which outreach efforts are actually working and which topics attract links on their own.

It also helps to connect backlink data with traffic and conversions. Add UTM parameters to links you control, and watch how visitors from comparison pages behave in your analytics platform. Over time, you will see which comparison backlinks send qualified visitors and which are just vanity metrics.

Finally, keep an eye on link decay. Set alerts for lost links and specifically review when comparison pages remove or replace you. Often you can win these back with a quick, polite follow‑up and an updated resource.

Not every comparison backlink is worth celebrating. Look first at relevance: is the page actually comparing products or services in your niche, and does your brand make sense in that context? A link from a tightly focused “best X for Y” guide is usually more valuable than a generic, catch‑all roundup.

Next, assess authority and trust. Check basic metrics like domain strength, organic traffic, and how many keywords the comparison page ranks for. A mid‑authority site with real search visibility often beats a high‑metric domain that gets almost no organic visitors.

Anchor text and placement matter too. Links inside the main comparison table, feature breakdown, or recommendation section usually drive more clicks and send stronger topical signals than a lone mention in a footer. If the page is overloaded with affiliate links, ads, or spun content, treat that backlink as low quality, even if the metrics look good on paper.

Comparison content ages fast. Set a schedule to review your key comparison pages at least every 6 to 12 months, or sooner in fast‑moving niches like software and ecommerce. Refresh when pricing, features, or top competitors have changed, or when you see rankings and traffic slipping.

Expansion makes sense when a comparison page is already earning links but visitors still have unanswered questions. You might add new use cases, more tools, updated screenshots, or a clearer “who this is best for” section. This gives editors a stronger resource to reference and a reason to update their existing links.

Sometimes, retiring or consolidating is the smarter move. If a comparison targets a tiny keyword, no longer matches search intent, or competes with a stronger page on your own site, consider merging it into a more comprehensive guide and redirecting the old URL. That way, any backlinks it has already earned continue to support a fresher, more link‑worthy comparison.