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Brian Dean launched Backlinko in 2012 with one goal: publish SEO content backed by original data. By the time Semrush acquired it in January 2022, Backlinko had popularized the Skyscraper Technique, run multi-million-page Google studies, and grown the email list to 175,000 subscribers. The newsletter continues under the Semrush umbrella, with Brian still contributing.The defining trait was always data studies. Backlinko built its authority on 11.8M-page search analyses, ranking-factor correlations, and viral content factor studies. Post-acquisition, the editorial bar has held up, though more product mentions creep into recent issues.
What lands in your inbox.
Weekly tactical SEO content and link-building strategies
Original data studies from the Backlinko research team
Updates and case studies post-Semrush acquisition
Long-form posts (most run 2,000+ words)
Cross-promotion with Brian's Exploding Topics newsletter (100K+ subscribers)
Notable editions
We Analyzed 11.8 Million Google Search Results
The flagship data study correlating ranking factors. Still cited in 2026.
How to Scale Content Creation
The systematic framework for moving from one-off posts to a content engine.
Off-Page SEO: The Definitive Guide
The comprehensive guide that's been a top-100 SEO resource for years.
How Brian Dean Would Launch Backlinko in 2026
Recent take on building an SEO brand in the post-AI-Overviews era.
The honest take
What We Love
- Data studies that move the SEO industry conversation
- Brian's writing is still tactical and template-friendly
- Editorial quality holds up post-acquisition
- Useful alongside Exploding Topics for trend discovery
Watch Out For
- Semrush ownership means more product mentions
- Some content is recycled blog posts vs. exclusive
- Heavy emphasis on link-building, which is increasingly fragmented in 2026
