Impact Scores and Hybrid Strategies: The future of link building

This deck was presented as a 30-minute lecture at the Zagreb SEO Summit 2025, and talks about redefining link value by focusing on UX metrics instead of vanity metrics only.

The slides also show practical examples of what to look for in a good backlink, how to measure and implement impact scores, as well as ideas on hybrid off-page content for link strategies and what kind of value they give.

Transcript

1. Tamara Novitović THE FUTURE OF LINK BUILDING: IMPACT SCORES AND HYBRID STRATEGIES SEO · Link building · Content
2. What went wrong Agenda User-first backlinks How to measure Impact Scores Linkable, hybrid content
7. DR boosting happened
8. Google devalues manipulative links.
9. Algorithm updates target unnatural link schemes.
11. AI GUEST POSTS DR BOOSTING HARO OVERUSE PBN LINKS
12. 86% of SEOs have integrated AI into their strategy. 44.2% of SEOs use AI in their link building efforts
15. Your link-building safety kit 1 2 3
30. Redefining link value
33. 😵‍💫
37. ✅ High engagement ✅ Real traffic ✅ Editorial placement
41. ❌ High DR ❌ Low/zero traffic ❌ Irrelevant placement
56. Metric Score (1–5) Notes
58. Ahrefs ChatGPT Strength Context, intent & topical fit Behaviour Clicks GSC/GA
60. Redefining link value
63. but also…
65. Tactic Approach Implementation
72. SEO AUTHORITY MEDIA KEYWORD INTENT STORIES/TOOLS CONTENT PR HYBRID STRATEGY
80. Tamara Novitovic Bazoom Group tn@bazoom.com bazoom.com