The Skyscraper Technique
Improve an existing topic with original evidence, clearer explanations, or better tools.
Published by Iron Front Digital · First published · Updated
Brian Dean’s Skyscraper Technique starts with content that has earned links, builds a more useful resource on the topic, and shares it with relevant publishers. Published case-study results are examples, not a forecast for your site.
What makes a topic worth improving?
Choose a subject you can explain accurately and a gap that matters to readers. Existing links can suggest interest, but there is no universal minimum backlink count that makes a project worthwhile.
- →Outdated instructions you can verify and correct.
- →An unanswered practical question that your audience regularly asks.
- →Original research with a clear method, sample, and limitations.
- →A working tool, diagram, or comparison that makes a difficult task easier.
How do you make the new resource better?
Add something the existing resource does not provide. More words alone do not make an improvement.
- 1List the specific gaps and the evidence needed to resolve them.
- 2Research primary sources and distinguish facts from your recommendations.
- 3Create the resource using original writing and permitted assets.
- 4Ask someone in the intended audience to try the instructions.
- 5Fix unclear steps and publish with accurate dates and sources.
Who should you tell about it?
Contact a publisher only when your resource directly improves something its readers already use. Read the page before writing and explain the particular gap your resource fills.
Hello [name], your [article] discusses [topic]. We published [resource URL], which adds [specific, verifiable improvement]. It may be useful when you next update [section]. The underlying sources are linked on the page. Thank you for considering it.
When should you choose a smaller project?
Choose a smaller project when you lack the expertise, evidence, or time to add something useful. Fixing a service page or publishing one clear answer may help your customers sooner.
Track research time, publication, responses, and actual traffic. Do not assume another publisher’s case study predicts your results or promise a fixed number of backlinks.
Sources and further reading
- Backlinko: the original Skyscraper case study
Explains the method and reports the author’s specific case study, not a universal outcome.
- Google: link spam policies
Explains paid links, excessive exchanges, and how to qualify sponsored links.
Plug-and-play next steps
Free Content Brief Generator
Topic + keyword + audience → primary keyword, word count, recommended headings, key questions, internal-link suggestions.
Free Blog Outline Generator
Topic + audience + word count → 8-12 H2 sections, each with 2-3 H3 subpoints, ready to write into.
Free Outreach Email Generator
Pick HARO / guest post / broken-link / podcast → 3 angle-distinct email options with subjects, ready to send.
Plan your next useful resource
Create an outline, then verify the facts and adapt it to your audience before publishing.
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