How to Get Backlinks from Gov Sites

I’ve been in the SEO trenches for a while, and one topic that keeps coming up is .gov backlinks. People want them, and why wouldn’t they? Government sites usually carry a lot of trust and authority with search engines. But here’s the catch: very few sites can actually get them in a proper way.

So, in this piece, I’ll explain which kinds of businesses can even have a chance at .gov links, how they can do it, and why most of us (including me) should probably focus our time on another area of SEO: internal linking.

Why .Gov Backlinks Are Really Valuable

There’s no doubt that .gov domains have a unique appeal. They are often older, have high domain ratings, and are widely trusted. When you see a site in search results with a .gov extension, you almost automatically consider it reliable. That trust benefits any page they link to.

In SEO circles, many believe that once you reach a certain level of authority and trust, it can boost your site’s search engine rankings. A couple of .gov backlinks might just provide that extra boost for a small group of websites while being nearly impossible for most of us to obtain.

Who Can Actually Get .Gov Backlinks?

To be honest, .gov backlinks usually come in a few specific scenarios:

• Niche Education or R&D: If your business is connected to research that government agencies might reference—like specialized health data, environmental data, or technical standards—you can sometimes get cited by the relevant .gov sites.
• Government Programs or Partnerships: Some industries (like renewable energy, local health clinics, higher education programs, or defense tech suppliers) may participate in initiatives with federal, state, or local governments. If you’re a recognized partner or contributor, you might be mentioned and linked on their press or resource pages.
• Official Supplier or Vendor: If you hold a government contract or are acknowledged as an approved vendor, you may appear on a .gov “official suppliers” list. (Typically found on local or state-level .gov resources.)

For those companies, getting .gov links is possible if they meet the requirements. But if you’re in, say, fashion e-commerce with no connections to a government program or local government directories, landing a .gov link is nearly impossible—and not worth the effort.

Why .Gov Backlinks Are So Hard to Get

Many believe that reaching out with a compelling pitch is enough to earn a .gov backlink, but in reality, government websites have strict linking policies. They only link to external sites that provide authoritative, non-commercial, and public-interest content.

For example, USA.gov, the U.S. government’s official web portal, explicitly states that they do not link to just any website. Below is a screenshot of their linking policy:

This demonstrates why most businesses, especially those outside of research, government partnerships, or public-interest services, will struggle to get a .gov link. Instead of chasing nearly impossible backlinks, most sites should focus on strengthening their internal linking strategy—which has a much more predictable impact on SEO.

How These Companies Usually Land .Gov Links

1. Direct Collaboration: They provide expert content for a government publication or are featured in official announcements on the .gov domain about an initiative.
2. Listing in Government Directories: Some local or state portals offer directories of businesses that meet certain standards—or official vendor listings. They then link out to those businesses.
3. Resource Pages: Government agencies often host resource pages with useful links if your content (like a well-done study or data resource) matches their focus.
4. Authority Content Creation: In rare cases, a local government might feature your specialized and valuable research. It must be highly relevant to them.

Why Your Time Might Be Better Spent Elsewhere

Unless you are in that very small category of businesses that can genuinely partner with or be recognized by a .gov site, going after .gov links may not be the best use of time. Government websites have strict regulations, slow approvals, and many rules. Even if you craft the perfect email pitch, your chances are very limited.

Meanwhile, you can obtain similar or better returns by investing in a stronger link building approach overall—like acquiring industry-specific backlinks or concentrating on your site’s internal linking structure.

5 Internal Linking Tips

Many websites have a solid set of external links but still struggle to gain traction. The reason is that they are not passing link value effectively across their own site. Internal linking is key to making sure the link value from external sources reaches the pages that matter most.

Below are five ways to make your internal links work better.

1) Use Keyword-Rich Anchor Text

First, choose anchor text that clearly explains what the reader will find if they click. Stay away from generic text like “Click Here.” Instead, opt for partially matching or brand-related anchors that incorporate relevant terms.

As an example, if you have a blog post about buying organic seeds, link to it with anchor text like “guide to organic seeds” or “organic seed selection tips.”

This method helps search engines understand the topic of the destination page. Just be cautious not to overdo exact-match anchors for the same page since that can seem forced.

2) Keep Content Inter-Linked

Pages that are four or five clicks away from the homepage are too deep! It is best to have content accessible within three clicks to keep users engaged and help search engine bots discover your pages faster.

Consider using a silo structure or topic clusters. A topic cluster features a main “pillar page” that links out to subpages addressing related points, and then those subpages link back to the pillar, creating a well-connected structure.

3) Prioritize Contextual Links

While links in navigation menus or footers are useful, a link inside a relevant paragraph typically carries more weight.

A brief sentence in a paragraph: spend a bit more time weaving in contextual links naturally.

This approach is friendlier for users who see the links in context, meaning they’re more likely to click, and it also benefits SEO more.

4) Build Hub (or Pillar) Pages

Creating a hub page, sometimes called a pillar page, involves compiling a broad but detailed resource that covers multiple subtopics. For example, if you have a personal finance website, your hub page could be “The Ultimate Guide to Personal Finance,” covering topics like saving, investing, retirement planning, and budgeting. Each of these topics can be developed on separate pages that link back to the hub.

The interlinking between the hub and the subpages builds a strong signal to search engines that the hub is an important resource. Over time, that can help the hub rank for competitive terms, making your site’s structure clearer for both users and search engines.

5) Update Old Content with Links

Each new piece of content is a chance to add internal links from relevant older posts. Often, site owners only link from new posts to older ones. However, linking from older, more authoritative pages to new content can transfer valuable link value to those fresh pages.

I maintain a list of my top 50 older pages that have strong inbound link profiles. When I publish a new post, I check if it relates to any of those pages and update the older content to include a link to the new post. This method is highly effective at giving a boost to new content.

5 Common Pitfalls with Internal Linking (Avoid These)

Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of when managing internal links:

Pitfall #1: Linking Everything to Everything

‍Some believe that more links always mean better. In reality, too many links can confuse users and search engines, reducing the overall benefit of each link. Instead, add links only when they improve user experience.

Pitfall #2: Repetitive Anchors

‍Using the same anchor text repeatedly—like having every link to a “running shoes” page say “BEST RUNNING SHOES”—can be flagged as over-optimization. Vary your anchor text to keep it natural.

Pitfall #3: Hiding Important Pages

‍If an important page is buried several clicks from the homepage, its visibility may suffer. Both users and search engines might view it as less significant. Make sure key pages are easily accessible.

Pitfall #4: Orphan Pages

‍An orphan page is one that no other page on your site links to. Even if it’s included in your sitemap, it might be overlooked. If a page is significant, ensure it is linked; otherwise, consider removing or redirecting it.

Pitfall #5: Incorrect Use of Nofollow

‍Some try to control the flow of link value by nofollowing certain internal links. However, changes in how search engines treat nofollow tags mean that overusing them can lead to a confusing link structure. It’s best to leave important internal links as dofollow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Internal Links Should I Put on a Page?

There isn’t one exact number that fits all cases. For a good user experience, keeping the number under 75 is a reasonable guideline—especially if you have plenty of detailed content. The key is to ensure the links are relevant and helpful.

Does .gov or .edu Link Juice Carry More Weight?

Not automatically. While search engines value trust and authority, there is no special advantage based solely on the domain extension. .gov sites normally have high authority, which can make their links valuable, but high-authority .com domains can work well too.

I Found a Local Government Directory. How Do I Get Listed?

Often, these directories provide guidelines or a form that you can complete. Alternatively, you can contact them directly with your business details. If it’s a legitimate local directory, they will guide you through the process.

Is “Exact Match Anchor” Always Bad?

No, exact match anchor text can provide context, but it should be used sparingly. If every link uses the same exact wording, it can appear forced. It is better to mix in partial matches, brand names, or related terms.

Should I Bother With .gov Backlinks at All?

Only if it makes sense for your business. If you work in an area that has government involvement or you have opportunities to collaborate with a government agency, then pursue it. Otherwise, it might be more practical to focus on simpler link-building methods and a solid internal linking strategy.