When NoGenTech started, we were just another small tech blog trying to get noticed, which involved publishing high-quality content, learning SEO, and dreaming of earning backlinks from big news sites. With no budget and zero media connections, it felt almost impossible.
Then one day, everything changed.
While checking our analytics, we saw a traffic spike that didn’t make sense. After digging deeper, we found the source: Forbes had linked to us. Just the right content at the right moment. That single backlink proved something powerful: You don’t need a big budget to get noticed by major news outlets.
In this guide, we’ll share exactly how websites like ours earn high-authority backlinks for free, and how you can do the same.
Why Big News Backlinks Matter So Much
A backlink from a major publication like Forbes, Entrepreneur, Tech Times, DZone, BBC, Business Insider, or TechCrunch is more than just a link, as it’s a signal of authority.
Here’s what you gain:
- Massive SEO credibility (Google trusts what respected outlets trust)
- Higher domain authority
- More organic traffic
- Better ranking for competitive keywords
- Long-term visibility
- Referral traffic from real readers
- Brand trust that money can’t buy
And the best part? You don’t need to pay for it.
Proven Tips to Get Backlinks From News Sites with $0 Spending
As mentioned previously, getting backlinks from big news sites isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. You must be very calculative and careful while approaching them. Otherwise, you will end up with your efforts and plans in dismay.
But these mentioned strategies are proven and experienced by NoGenTech.org writers and SEO specialists:
1. Create Data-Driven, Research-Based Content
Major publications LOVE citing:
- Original data
- Surveys
- Market studies
- Trend breakdowns
- Comparisons
- Yearly reports
When NoGenTech published the “Application of Video Marketing Statistics Report that You Need to Know in 2023,” that’s when Forbes picked us up. Journalists constantly need facts, statistics, graphs, and fresh angles. If you become a source, they’ll reference you naturally.
Ideas you can create for free:
- Industry statistics roundup
- “State of the Industry” yearly report
- Case studies
- Product usage trends
- Data comparisons
- Tech adoption insights
- Cybersecurity threat stats
- Social media growth charts
2. Publish Expert Commentary and Insights
Journalists love quoting experts. If you position yourself as someone who understands tech trends, tools, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, or digital marketing, media outlets will notice.
Write content like:
- “Why X trend matters”
- “Expert predictions for 2025”
- “What small businesses should know about ‘X’ technology”
- “Why Google’s new update is a game-changer”
These are the types of angles journalists pick up when they need quick insights for stories.
3. Use HARO and Qwoted (Free Media Opportunities)
HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and Qwoted are platforms where journalists ask experts for quotes, and you can answer for free. What you get:
- Exposure
- Authority
- Free backlinks from large publications
To increase your chances:
- Answer fast
- Keep responses under 200 words
- Share useful insights
- Include your credentials
- Avoid sales language
- Send stats when possible
A single successful pitch can land you in:
- Forbes
- The Guardian
- Business Insider
- Entrepreneur
These big NEWS sites actively use such platforms to cite new research and authentic data for their users.
4. Lean Into Trending Topics
If you publish on breaking trends early, journalists find you while researching for their own articles.
Examples:
- AI tools are going viral
- TikTok controversies
- New Apple devices
- Social media algorithm updates
- Cybersecurity breaches
- Google SEO guidelines
Publish fast, publish clearly, and publish with useful analysis. You’ll start showing up on Google before many news sites even write their pieces.
5. Create Journalistic-Friendly Content Formats
Write content that looks “media-ready,” such as:
- Listicles with hard facts
- How-to guides with expert tips
- Explainers with diagrams and breakdowns
- Statistics pages
- Annual reports
Journalists heavily rely on these for research. If you want citations from big media, publish content that answers:
- What?
- Why?
- How?
- How much?
- What changed?
- What’s next?
These formats naturally get cited because they help journalists write their own stories.
6. Build a Personal Brand on LinkedIn and X (Twitter)
Journalists follow industry voices and not random websites. If your personal profiles, like LinkedIn and Facebook, become active and insightful, journalists see your posts and sometimes contact you directly.
Post content like:
- Industry hot takes
- Trend explanations
- Short data breakdowns
- AI summaries
- Tech insights
You’re not just building backlinks, but you’re building visibility for your brand.
7. Network With Journalists (But Softly)
You don’t need aggressive outreach. You need to be helpful. Follow the journalists who cover:
Engage with their posts. Share insights. Offer value. When they need a quote, guess who they think of first? The expert who already interacts with them.
8. Publish Unique Opinions (Not Just Rewritten Content)
Big news sites rarely link to blogs that:
- Repeat common information
- Reword existing articles
- Publish generic tips
But they do link to sites that publish:
- Contrarian viewpoints
- Unique takes
- New angles
- Insights that challenge the trend
Think like a journalist: “What would you cite if you were writing a news story?“
9. Create an “Authority Piece” on Your Niche
Have at least one pillar article that is so well-researched, deep, and insightful that any journalist writing about the topic can’t ignore it.
Examples:
- 10 Best Blogging Tools To Grow Your Blog in 2025
- 20 Best Online Business Ideas to Start in 2025
- Top 10 Tech Gadgets for Everyday Life Under $20
These pillar pages will become link magnets for journalists, and they will surely not be able to resist giving you a free backlink.
10. Offer Free Tools or Templates
Big sites love linking to:
- Calculators
- Templates
- Tools
- Checklists
- Generators
Why? These digital assets provide value and make their articles more useful for their regular readers, who ultimately will become your readers, too.
Examples:
- ROI calculators
- Cybersecurity checklists
- AI tool comparison sheets
- Keyword research templates
Even a simple Google Sheets template can earn big links.
Conclusion: Big News Backlinks Don’t Require Big Budgets
If NoGenTech’s journey has taught us anything, it’s this: You don’t need money, connections, or influence to earn backlinks from major news sites. You just need to create something that people want to cite. Our Forbes mention wasn’t luck. It wasn’t a secret hack.
It was simply the result of publishing content that stood out and content that was fresh, insightful, and genuinely useful. And that’s exactly the direction we encourage you to take.
- Don’t chase shortcuts.
- Don’t obsess over link schemes.
- Don’t wait for someone to notice you.
So keep creating. Keep experimenting. Keep pushing. The visibility you want begins with the content you choose to publish today.
