Every website owner wants content that not only ranks for target keywords but also earns backlinks from trusted sources.
This is where linkable assets come in. These are valuable, well-crafted pieces of content that naturally attract links from other websites, boosting your credibility and helping your site climb higher in search results.
But what exactly are linkable assets, why do they matter so much, and how can you create them the right way?
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes linkable assets so effective, explore seven proven types you can create, and share practical tips to make yours stand out.
By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building content that gets noticed, earns links, and strengthens your online presence. Let’s get started.
What are linkable assets?
Linkable assets are valuable pieces of content designed to earn backlinks naturally.
These are resources that other website owners, bloggers, journalists, or content creators find helpful, insightful, or worth referencing, so much so that they link to them within their content.
Every link earned this way helps boost your website’s credibility, search visibility, and authority.
These assets take many forms detailed blog posts, original studies, infographics (often used for infographic link building), whitepapers, free tools, calculators, or even expert roundups. They also play a key role in resource page link building, where curated lists and guides feature high-quality, relevant resources.
The key is that they offer something unique, useful, or highly relevant that others can’t easily recreate.
📊 Did you know? According to research, long-form content gets an average of 77.2% more backlinks than short articles.
These linkable assets don’t just help with SEO; they also build brand authority, drive referral traffic, and position you as a trusted source in your niche.
Want to turn your content into backlink magnets? Our professional link building services can help you create, promote, and earn high-quality links that boost your rankings and authority.
Types of linkable assets
Linkable assets come in various formats, each to attract backlinks from different audiences and industries. From visual content to in-depth research, the right asset type can drive both traffic and authority.
1. Infographics
Infographics are visual tools that combine data, facts, and short text with eye-catching design to communicate information quickly and clearly.
They’re ideal for simplifying complex topics and making content easier to digest at a glance.
🧠 Fact: Demandsage found that blog posts with infographics generate 12% more traffic.
Visual content works our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, and nearly 90% of all information transmitted to the brain is visual.
No wonder people prefer content they can see and scan over long blocks of text.
So, what makes infographics such powerful linkable assets?
Visually engaging
People are naturally drawn to visuals. A well-designed infographic not only grabs attention but also makes the content more memorable.
This makes it more likely to be referenced in blog posts, shared on social media, or embedded in other articles, earning valuable backlinks in the process.
Easy to share
Infographics are portable. They work well on blogs, websites, LinkedIn posts, Pinterest boards, and even email newsletters.
Their shareable nature increases the chances of them being picked up by others in your industry or niche.
Simplifies the complex
A strong infographic distills difficult ideas, statistics, or multi-step processes into bite-sized visuals.
This makes it easier for readers to grasp key points and easier for other creators to cite your content as a trusted source.
Stat to note: According to Venngage, 40% of marketers say original graphics like infographics perform best for helping them reach their marketing goals.
Here’s an example: WordStream created a simple on-page seo checklist. It’s been widely shared and referenced in SEO blogs and guides, showing just how effective the format can be for earning organic links.
2. Case studies
Case studies are detailed examinations of how a specific product, service, or strategy worked in a real-world situation.
They focus on actual results over time, highlighting challenges, actions taken, and the outcomes achieved. These stories are more than just reports; they’re proof.
So, why are case studies considered strong linkable assets? Here are four key reasons:
Real results
Unlike generic advice or claims, case studies offer concrete outcomes. They demonstrate how something worked in practice, not theory.
When others look for credible sources to reference, this kind of evidence stands out and earns links.
Storytelling that connects
Every case study follows a clear journey: a problem, a process, and a solution. This storytelling format makes them naturally engaging. When readers relate to the scenario, they’re more likely to share it, and other websites are more likely to reference it.
In-depth and unique
A well-written case study dives deep. It includes data, decisions made, tools used, and lessons learned.
This kind of original, high-value content is exactly what writers and researchers look for when linking out to trusted sources.
Built-in social proof
Case studies build trust by showing how others succeeded using your approach or service.
They act as real-life testimonials, making your content more persuasive and credible in the eyes of both readers and site owners.
Did you know? According to Orange Owl, 73% of B2B marketers use case studies as part of their content strategy because of how effective they are at driving interest and engagement.
3. Online tools
Online tools are interactive features on a website that help people solve specific problems, perform tasks, or get quick answers.
Whether it’s calculating costs, analyzing performance, or generating ideas, these tools offer real, hands-on value.
Take a mortgage repayment calculator, for example. With just a few inputs, users can estimate their monthly payments and make smarter financial decisions.
It’s simple, practical, and highly useful, making it an excellent linkable asset.
Real example: Ramsey solutions’ mortgage calculator
This single tool has earned good backlinks, thanks to its usefulness and ease of use. While that kind of success takes time, it shows what’s possible when you build something genuinely helpful.
But mortgage tools are just the beginning. Here are other types of online tools that often attract links from blogs, forums, and resource pages:
SEO tools
SEO checkers, keyword generators, and link analyzers help users understand and improve their website performance.
Budget planners
These help users track income and expenses, offering a clear view of their finances.
Tools like monthly budget worksheets or savings goal calculators are especially popular with finance bloggers and resource curators.
Fitness trackers
Workout loggers and progress trackers allow users to set goals, record routines, and monitor improvements.
These tools are widely used in health blogs and often linked to as part of fitness guides.
Content idea generators
When creativity hits a wall, idea generators help writers brainstorm fresh topics in seconds.
They’re popular among bloggers, marketers, and copywriters and are frequently shared on forums and writing platforms.
The value of online tools lies in their ability to make things easier.
When a tool genuinely helps people, whether by saving time, solving a problem, or providing useful data, it earns attention. And with attention comes shares, citations, and links.
Did you know? Tools and calculators are among the most linked-to assets on the web, often outperforming blog posts and landing pages in terms of backlink volume.
The bottom line? If your tool solves a real need, others will share it. That’s what makes online tools one of the most effective and scalable linkable assets available today.
4. Studies and statistics
If you’re looking to attract quality backlinks, studies and statistics are one of the most effective content types you can use.
Why? Because they offer something most content doesn’t: data-backed credibility and original insights.
Here’s why they work so well:
They add credibility
Citing statistics strengthens your content. Numbers offer proof. They support your arguments with facts, making your content more trustworthy and easier to reference.
They offer something unique
Original studies and fresh data provide information that can’t be found elsewhere. This exclusivity increases the likelihood that other websites will link to your content as a source.
They’re easy to share
Statistics can be turned into charts, infographics, or short social posts. Whether you’re creating blog content or pitching a story to a journalist, data is one of the most shareable and reusable formats available.
Original research
Conducting your survey or study in your niche can lead to highly linkable content.
For example, if you’re in e-commerce, you could study online shopping behavior during holiday sales.
The insights you gather will likely be picked up by blogs, industry publications, and even media outlets, earning you links and visibility.
Industry reports
Compiling data into a full report, such as yearly trends or market breakdowns, is another great way to build backlinks. These reports often become go-to resources in the industry.
Example: HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report is widely known and heavily referenced. It covers current marketing trends, benchmarks, and challenges faced by businesses.
These links weren’t bought or requested; they were earned simply because the report provided real value that others wanted to reference.
Pro tip: Use simple data visualizations and break up stats into clear, digestible parts to boost readability and sharing.
5. Ebooks and downloadable PDFs
Ebooks and downloadable PDFs are among the most effective linkable assets you can create.
They offer in-depth content in a format that’s easy to access, share, and reference, making them a powerful tool for both link building and lead generation.
In-depth value
Unlike short blog posts, ebooks often go deep into a subject. They provide well-researched, structured content that readers find genuinely useful. This depth makes them more likely to be linked to as a trusted resource.
Evergreen content
Most ebooks are designed to stay relevant over time. Whether it’s a how-to guide, strategy playbook, or industry breakdown, this kind of content continues to attract links months or even years after it’s published.
Easy to share
Ebooks and PDFs can be downloaded, forwarded to peers, and shared on websites, newsletters, or social media. This natural shareability opens the door to multiple linking opportunities.
Popular ebook formats that earn links
Step-by-step guides
Create a full guide that helps users solve a problem or learn a process.
For example, a gardening brand might publish an ebook like “How to Grow Succulents Indoors” and share it with their audience, bloggers, and forums. Guides like these often get linked to as go-to resources.
Industry reports
Summarize your research or compile industry trends into a well-organized report.
These often attract links from journalists, bloggers, and professionals writing about the topic.
Whitepapers
Whitepapers are more formal documents offering detailed analysis or insights.
They’re commonly linked to in B2B spaces, especially in finance, tech, and consulting industries, because they help back up key arguments or ideas.
More than just backlinks
Besides earning links, ebooks can also support your lead generation efforts.
Add a simple form to download your ebook, and you can collect emails while distributing valuable content, helping you grow both your authority and your contact list at the same time.
💡 Pro tip: Include expert quotes, charts, or contributor insights inside your ebook to increase its perceived authority and to encourage those
6. Ultimate guides
Ultimate Guides, often called pillar posts, are long-form, detailed resources that cover a topic from every angle.
Think of them as the go-to reference for anyone wanting to understand a subject thoroughly.
Because they offer complete, well-organized information in one place, Ultimate Guides are excellent at earning backlinks and establishing authority.
Why ultimate guides work for link building
Build authority
When you publish a comprehensive guide, you’re not just sharing tips; you’re demonstrating expertise.
Readers and industry peers recognize the effort and depth, making them more likely to trust, reference, and link to your work.
SEO-friendly
The length and structure of these guides allow for natural keyword use and strong internal linking.
This helps your site rank better in search results and attracts steady organic traffic.
Link-worthy content
Ultimate Guides often get cited in blog posts, newsletters, and resource roundups. Their thoroughness makes them ideal reference material, which naturally leads to backlinks from other websites.
Evergreen value
Many Ultimate Guides focus on timeless topics like content marketing, project management, or sales funnels.
Because these subjects don’t change overnight, your guide can continue to attract traffic and links long after it’s been published.
📊 Did you know? According to a study by Orbit Media, blog posts over 2000+ words are more than twice as likely to earn strong results in terms of traffic and links.
Whether you’re covering “How to Start a Podcast” or “The Complete Guide to On-Page SEO,” a well-written Ultimate Guide positions your brand as a trusted source and gives others a solid reason to link back.
💡 Pro tip: Add downloadable checklists or templates inside your guide to increase engagement and give people even more reasons to reference and share it.
7. Checklists
Checklists are one of the simplest yet most powerful linkable assets you can create.
They’re clear, actionable, and easy to use, making them a favorite among readers and content creators alike.
Because of their practicality, checklists often get bookmarked, shared, and linked to as quick-reference tools for specific tasks.
Why checklists work so well
Simple and easy to follow
Checklists turn complex tasks into clear, step-by-step actions. Their simplicity makes them user-friendly, helping readers stay organized and focused, especially when tackling detailed projects.
Immediate value
Unlike long-form content that may require more time to digest, a checklist offers instant, hands-on guidance. This makes it useful from the moment someone opens it, boosting its chances of being shared or referenced.
Works across all industries
Whether you’re in digital marketing, healthcare, education, finance, or any other field, checklists can be tailored to your audience. They serve as reliable tools that support planning, execution, and consistency.
Highly shareable
Practical content like checklists often gets passed around in teams, forums, Slack groups, newsletters, and blog posts. Their usefulness makes them ideal for earning backlinks through recommendations and resource mentions.
Popular checklist formats that earn links
Step-by-step guides
Break down a full process into individual steps.
For example, a “Digital Marketing Checklist” from SEOptimer covers everything from technical setup to final testing, helping users avoid costly mistakes before going live.
Best practices lists
Summarize proven methods or standards for a task. Octeth’s “Ultimate Email Marketing Checklist” is a great example. It helps marketers ensure that every campaign is complete, optimized, and ready to send.
Checklists are quick to create, easy to use, and deliver real value. Their clarity and practicality make them highly linkable, especially when paired with strong visuals or offered as downloadable PDFs.
💡 Pro tip: Offer your checklist in multiple formats, PDF, printable, and online, to increase reach and sharing potential.
Whether you’re guiding users through a product launch or listing essentials for a successful event, checklists help others get things done, and that’s exactly the kind of content people link to.
Our niche edits service places your content inside relevant, established articles, boosting your visibility, rankings, and backlink profile faster.
Conclusion
Creating linkable assets is all about offering consistent, long-term value that keeps your audience interested and encourages them to return.
With so much content already out there, the only way to stand out is by ensuring your assets are genuinely useful, well-researched, and worth sharing. Subpar resources don’t get noticed or linked to anymore.
If you want your linkable assets to truly make an impact, invest in creating the highest-quality content possible. This is what earns trust, builds authority, and drives organic backlinks. Explore our professional link-building services and see how we can help your website grow. Contact us today.
