
When it comes to improving your local SEO, backlinks from local influencers are incredibly powerful. These links tell Google your business is trusted by authoritative voices in your community—and they can also drive real traffic and local customers to your eCommerce store.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to build backlinks from local influencers, even if you’re on a small budget or just getting started.
Why Local Backlinks from Influencers Matter
Local backlinks help you:
Boost domain authority
Rank higher for geo-specific keywords
Gain targeted traffic from relevant local audiences
Increase brand awareness in your service area
When an influencer based in your city or region links to your product, blog, or homepage, that sends powerful local signals to Google—especially if that influencer already has a strong local following or website.
8 Proven Ways to Get Backlinks from Local Influencers
1.Identify the Right Local Influencers
Start by targeting:
Bloggers in your city or niche
Local YouTubers, TikTokers, or Instagram creators
Local news personalities or podcast hosts
Community leaders or micro-influencers
Use tools like:
BuzzSumo (search by topic + city)
Instagram search (hashtags like #AustinFoodie, #NYCFashion)
Google (search “top bloggers in [your city]” or “influential moms in [city]”)
Pro Tip: Prioritize influencers with both a local audience and a blog or website—social shares are great, but backlinks require a place to link from.
2.Reach Out with a Local Collaboration Offer
Influencers get many requests—so make yours valuable.
Here’s how:
Personalize your message (mention a specific post or video)
Offer free products or early access
Propose cross-promotion (email feature, blog mention, discount code)
Keep it short and professional
Example message:
“Hi [Name], I love your blog and saw your recent piece on sustainable gifts in Denver. I run an eco-friendly eCommerce store based in Colorado, and I’d love to send you a product to try or collaborate on a local shopping guide. Let me know if you’d be interested!”
3.Send Free Products for Honest Reviews
One of the easiest ways to get a backlink is through product reviews.
Steps:
Find influencers who do product features or local shopping roundups
Offer to send them your product for free
Suggest they include a link to your product page or website if they love it
Target gift guides, local “best of” lists, or unboxing posts—especially during seasonal campaigns.
4.Offer to Write a Guest Post for Their Blog
If your target influencer has a blog or community site, offer to write a value-packed guest post relevant to their audience.
Examples:
“Top 5 Local Skincare Brands to Try This Winter”
“Why More New Yorkers Are Choosing Local Eco-Friendly Delivery Services”
Include a link to your site naturally within the content or in the author bio.
5.Collaborate on Local Events or Giveaways
Partner with influencers on:
Instagram giveaways
Local event sponsorships
Online shopping festivals or “Local Love” campaigns
Offer:
Discount codes for their followers
Joint promotions (e.g., “Support Local Businesses in Chicago”)
A feature on their blog in exchange for products or giveaways
This generates both traffic and local backlinks.
6.Get Featured in Local Roundups or Directories
Many influencers write:
“Top Local Brands to Support”
“Where to Shop Small Online in [City]”
“Gift Guides for [Holiday] in [Location]”
Pitch your business with a short bio, link, and high-res image. Make it easy for them to include you.
Example:
“Hey [Name], I saw your post about Dallas gift ideas and wanted to suggest our locally-made candles. We ship throughout Texas and offer same-day delivery in the DFW area. I'd be honored to be included!”
7.Be a Guest on Local Podcasts or Interviews
Influencers often host local lifestyle or niche podcasts. Reach out and offer to speak on:
Your entrepreneurial journey
Local trends in your product category
How you serve the local community
Most podcast hosts include backlinks in their episode show notes or blog recaps.
8.Track Results and Build Relationships
Use tools like:
Ahrefs or SEMrush to track your new backlinks
Google Analytics to measure traffic from influencer referrals
Google Search Console to see if your local rankings improve
Stay in touch with influencers who deliver results—send them early access to new products or exclusive deals to keep the relationship going.
Bonus: What Makes a Good Local Backlink?
When choosing local influencers to pitch, prioritize links that:
Come from a domain with local relevance (based in your city/region)
Appear on trusted sites or blogs
Link to your homepage, category, or product page
Are surrounded by relevant content (not hidden in a footer)
Final Thoughts
Getting backlinks from local influencers doesn’t require a huge budget—it just takes a smart outreach strategy, a valuable offer, and consistency. With a few solid partnerships, you can boost your local SEO rankings, increase brand trust, and attract more nearby shoppers.