A Tier 2 link would be one that points to links at a level above, which then point to the main website. This increases the authority of Tier 1 links in order to strengthen their standing with search engines.
The strategy behind Tier 2 links is empowering the authority of your primary links (T1) so you have a better ranking in search engines.
Example:
You have a main website A. You create a link B that is linked to website A; it is then called a Tier 1 link. Then you have links C, D, and E that are directed to link B; they are now Tier 2 links.
Do Tier 2 links actually work?
Yes, Tier 2 links do work, although their efficiency does depend on the strategy. From studies and real examples within the SEO world, when they are executed properly, it is possible to move any website up the rankings for desired keywords.
Why Tier 2 links work:
Authority strengthening: Tier 2 links strengthen primary links’ authority and generally improve the link profile of the website, in turn improving overall visibility. Link profile diversification: A diversified link profile—including links coming from different sources and levels—is less suspicious to search engines. Context and relevance: Tier 2 links can give further context and relevance that help search engines understand the value of the primary links more. Research and practice:
✔️ Practical examples: Many SEO professionals have revealed numerous success stories where the application of Tier 2 links helped to significantly improve rankings.
✔️ SEO agency analyses: SEO agencies can often run internal research and experiments to prove strategic Tier 2 links work.
✔️ Google guidelines: While Google itself does not directly advise on the use of Tier 2 links, its guidelines highlight the need for the creation of links that appear natural and are high quality in nature, principles that underscore the application of the Tier 2 strategies.
What are Tier 3 links?
Tier 3 links are third-level links in an SEO strategy. They point into the Tier 2 links, and through them, they point into the Tier 1 links, which point directly into the main website.
Tier 3 creation process:
You have a main website A. You create a link B that points toward website A—Tier 1 link. Then you create links C, D, and E that point toward link B; these are your Tier 2 links. Finally, you create links F, G, and H that point toward links C, D, and E, respectively. Result: Tier 3 links add further authority and relevance, which is then pushed via the Tier 2 links to the Tier 1 links and finally to the main website.
Conclusion:
If done painstakingly and with regards to quality, then Tier 2 links can prove to be an effective part of the SEO strategy. One should not post spammy links but instead natural and very relevant content.
