Backlinks — links from other websites pointing to yours — remain one of the strongest ranking signals in SEO. East13 automates the research and planning side of backlink building so you know exactly where to focus your efforts.
How It Works
East13’s Backlink Strategy Engine does three things automatically:
- Directory Audit — Scans 33 niche-specific directories across 5 industry verticals to identify where your business should be listed but is not
- Link Gap Analysis — Compares your backlink profile against your top-ranking competitors to find sites that link to them but not to you
- Action Plan Generation — Produces a prioritized list of specific actions you can take, ranked by expected impact
The Directory Audit
Different industries have different directories that matter. A law firm needs Avvo, Justia, and FindLaw. A plumber needs HomeAdvisor, Angi, and Thumbtack. A dentist needs Healthgrades, Zocdoc, and WebMD.
East13 automatically classifies your industry and checks the relevant directories for your listing. For each directory, it reports whether you are listed, whether your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) is consistent, and the estimated authority value of that directory. Missing or inconsistent listings are flagged as action items.
Link Gap Analysis
For every keyword where a competitor outranks you, East13 examines their backlink sources. If a competitor has links from local news sites, industry associations, or resource pages that you do not, those gaps appear in your backlink strategy panel. These are concrete targets — sites that already link to businesses like yours and are likely open to linking to you as well.
Reading Your Action Plan
Your backlink action plan appears in the dashboard under Growth → Backlink Strategy. Each action includes:
- The target site or directory
- The type of action (submit listing, request link, create linkable content)
- Estimated authority value
- Priority ranking (1 = highest impact)
- Status tracking (not started, in progress, completed)
Start with priority 1 actions and work your way down. The highest-priority items are typically the easiest wins — unclaimed directory listings and obvious link gaps.
What East13 Does Automatically
The backlink strategy refreshes monthly on the 15th. As your backlink profile grows and competitors change, the recommendations update. East13 also detects when you gain new backlinks and adjusts your authority score accordingly.
The system does not build backlinks for you — it tells you exactly where to focus and tracks your progress. Think of it as a GPS for link building: it shows you the best route, but you still need to drive.
Tips for Best Results
- Claim all directory listings within your first 60 days — these are the easiest authority wins
- Focus on local and industry-specific directories over generic ones
- When reaching out for links, reference your content — sites are more likely to link to a useful resource than a homepage
- Track your progress in the action plan — completed items improve your authority score over time