Link building claims are cheap. Measurements are not.

We run small, controlled link experiments and publish what happened: which links moved rankings, which did nothing, and what it cost. No packages sold here, just the data.

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Controlled experiments

One variable at a time: a single guest post, one niche edit, one directory link. Rank tracked for 90 days before we write a word.

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Anchor text datasets

Aggregated anchor distributions from ranking pages in competitive niches, updated as we collect them.

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Failure reports

The links that did nothing get published too. Negative results are the cheapest education in SEO.

From the notebook

Dofollow vs Nofollow vs Sponsored vs UGC Links: What Actually Moves Rankings in 2026

Every link carries a rel attribute tag most people never look at. We line up what dofollow, nofollow, sponsored and UGC actually do to rankings in 2026, per Google's own documentation and named practitioner tests.

Guest Posts vs Niche Edits vs Digital PR: Real Cost Per Link in 2026

Sticker prices lie. We break down what guest posts, niche edits and digital PR really cost per surviving link in 2026, using published pricing data and our own tracking notes.

The Loft Brief

Twice a month: one experiment result, one dataset, one thing to stop paying for.

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FAQ

Do you sell links or link-building packages?

No. Backlink Loft Research is an editorial project. We measure and publish; we do not sell placements, packages, or outreach services.

Where does the data come from?

From small experiments we run on test properties and from public SERP data we collect and aggregate. Methods are described in each brief.

Is this affiliated with other SEO brands?

The site is independently operated. When we reference a tool or vendor in a brief, the relationship, if any, is disclosed inline.

How often do you publish?

Twice a month by email. The site archives selected briefs later.