Features in listicles and tool roundups are especially beneficial for SaaS brands. You earn authoritative backlinks and brand exposure. These articles usually attract high-intent audiences.
Keep reading and learn how you can get your SaaS solution featured in these resources!
Why Listicle Mentions Are a Goldmine for SaaS
Listicles are a powerful discovery and acquisition channel for SaaS companies. These articles present and rank different products or tools.
Many experienced SaaS link-building services work on getting mentions in a credible listicle to ensure sustained value for your brand.
Here are some benefits these mentions can offer you.
Link + Brand + Qualified Traffic in One
You’re not just earning a backlink if your SaaS appears in a quality listicle.
These articles usually rank well in search engines for high-intent keywords. So, the backlink you gain comes with strong domain authority and relevance.
Also, these mentions help you promote your brand name. They build trust and familiarity even if the users don’t click through right away. Later, this repeated exposure can influence purchasing decisions.
Listicles attract visitors who are actively comparing solutions. They’re already in the consideration phase. So, there’s a higher chance they’ll convert into trial sign-ups or demos.
People Discover Tools This Way
Most buyers rely on curation to narrow down their choice. So, listicles are usually their first stop when looking for a new tool or solution.
These articles compile top options in one place, offering
- Summaries
- Pros and cons
- Pricing
- Screenshots
It saves readers hours of research.
Getting a feature on these posts validates you as a legitimate option worth considering.
How to Find Relevant Listicles in Your Niche
Listicles are a proven method to get your SaaS product discovered. They generate qualified traffic and contribute valuable backlinks that build trust with your target audience.
However, finding listicles that fit your niche is not that easy. Here are some of the tactics most SaaS link-building services use for that purpose.
Search Operators, Tools, and Reverse Engineering
The first option is to use Google search operators. They let you filter results with precision. For instance, you can use targeted queries, like
- intitle:”best [your keyword] tools”
- inurl:blog “top [your keyword] software”
- “[your keyword] alternatives”
Combine these with time filters and date modifiers to get the most relevant results.
Next, you can try searching through Ahrefs or SemRush. They let you look for content by keyword and filter it by traffic and backlinks. You can see which listicles are attracting engagement and export data to create a prioritized outreach list.
Another method we want to highlight is reverse engineering. It allows you to research the mentions of your competitors. You can check their domains through the tools we mentioned above.
Filter for referring pages with titles including words
- Best
- Top
- Recommended
- Alternatives
Pinpoint the authors or sites that consistently cover your niche. These contacts are more likely to consider your product.
Tracking New Mentions with Alerts
After cataloging existing opportunities, you have to catch all the new mentions that appear online. Listicle outreach will work better if you engage early.
You can set up free Google Alerts for specific keywords. You’ll receive email notifications whenever new content matches your criteria.
Also, try working with more advanced monitoring solutions, like
- Mention
- Brand24
- BuzzSumo Content Alerts
They will help you discover opportunities faster than competitors.
We want to highlight that timing is extremely important. Reach out immediately after you spot a new listicle. Most publishers are open to updating their content to include additional tools.
Tactics to Get Your SaaS Listed
You already know how effective features in relevant listicles and roundups are for your SaaS. They help you increase visibility and build trust with potential customers.
The question is — “How to get your solution listed?”
Here are the top three tactics for you to try.
Manual Outreach (with Incentives or Collaboration)
Manual outreach is a hard process that requires research and persistence. Yet, it’s the most personalized and high-converting tactic.
The main goal of this method is to identify relevant content creators who routinely publish lists or tool recommendations related to your product category.
Start your outreach activity with thorough research. Next, reference the exact article you’re interested in and highlight what you appreciate about it. Clearly explain why your SaaS is a logical addition.
Here are some points you can offer:
- Complimentary access to the tool;
- Exclusive data or expert quotes;
- Affiliate partnership;
- Co-marketing opportunities.
Make sure to follow up consistently. You can send a polite message if you haven’t received a reply after 5-7 business days.
Using a Link Building Agency
Partnership with a professional SaaS link-building agency is another smart alternative.
These specialists have an established network of site owners and editors. They know how to create pitches that editors take seriously. Plus, they can offer you a quality assurance process and documentation on all their actions.
Evaluate these aspects to pick the best SaaS link building agency for your needs:
- Prior experience with SaaS companies;
- Contextual and editorial placements;
- Clear deliverables;
- Realistic expectations about timelines and outcomes;
- Transparent pricing.
You can combine this partnership with your in-house efforts for maximum results.
Creating Content That Makes You List-Worthy
You can create content that naturally attracts attention and citations. It helps you position your brand as an authority people want to reference.
Here are some examples of resources you can create:
- Original research and data studies,
- Guides and tutorials,
- Checklists,
- Downloadable templates,
- Customer case studies.
Try to post this content regularly to maintain a strong brand presence. It will help you earn organic mentions and shorten the outreach cycle.
Final Tip: Track Mentions, Not Just Links
A lot of SaaS owners and marketers focus just on backlinks. Yet, mentions of your brand in valuable sources can bring more value. People often trust the features in listicles or tool roundups.
So, we strongly recommend you use specialized tools to track these unlinked mentions. Next, partner with SaaS link-building services or handle outreach on your own to get a backlink.
