Analysis technique finding websites that link to multiple competitors but not to you, identifying outreach targets.
Link intersection is a competitive analysis technique that identifies websites linking to multiple competitors within your industry but not to your own site. This method reveals high-value link prospects by leveraging the principle that sites willing to link to several players in your space are more likely to consider linking to you as well.
The technique works by analyzing the backlink profiles of 2-4 direct competitors to find overlapping referring domains. These intersecting sites demonstrate editorial interest in your topic area and have already established linking patterns with similar businesses, making them prime targets for outreach campaigns.
Why It Matters for AI SEO
AI-powered link analysis tools have transformed link intersection from a manual, time-intensive process into an automated strategy that can process thousands of domains in minutes. Modern platforms use machine learning to assess link quality, relevance scores, and outreach probability, helping practitioners focus on the most promising prospects. The technique becomes even more powerful when combined with AI content analysis. Tools can now evaluate the content context around competitor links to understand exactly why those sites linked, what topics triggered the links, and what type of content might earn similar placements. This intelligence guides both outreach messaging and content creation strategies.
How It Works
Start by inputting 2-3 direct competitors into tools like Ahrefs' Link Intersect feature or SEMrush's Backlink Gap tool. Set filters to show only domains that link to multiple competitors but exclude your site. Focus on domains with relevant traffic, decent authority scores (DR 30+), and recent linking activity. Analyze the linking pages to understand the editorial context. Look for resource pages, industry roundups, tool comparisons, or guest post opportunities. Export the results and prioritize based on relevance, authority, and outreach feasibility. Many practitioners find success by targeting sites that link to 2+ competitors, as these show the strongest editorial interest in the space. Use AI writing tools to personalize outreach emails based on the specific content that earned competitor links. Reference the existing links naturally and explain how your content, tool, or resource would add value to their audience.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is treating all intersecting links equally. Many practitioners get excited by high-authority domains in their results without considering relevance or link context. A DR 80 site that mentioned your competitor in passing is far less valuable than a DR 40 industry blog that featured them in a curated resource list. Always prioritize editorial fit over raw authority metrics, and remember that the best link intersection opportunities often come from mid-tier sites with engaged, relevant audiences.