If you’re a life science company looking to rank higher in search results, backlinks matter. This article outlines effective backlink strategies tailored for life science websites – especially those that publish whitepapers, research summaries, or technical content.
We’ll cover what backlinks are, why they’re important, and how your team can start earning high-quality links to increase online visibility in a competitive market.
What Are Backlinks and Why Do They Matter for Life Science SEO?
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site.
Search engines treat them as signals of trust. If a respected site links to your content, it suggests that your page is credible and worth ranking.
For life science companies, backlinks help surface your technical expertise to researchers, procurement teams, and collaborators who rely on Google to find partners, tools, or studies.
Leverage White Papers for Authoritative Backlinks
Your white papers are one of the most valuable assets for link building.
They offer original research or insight, which journalists, researchers, and bloggers are often looking to cite. But they won’t find your white papers unless you promote them strategically.
Start by creating a dedicated landing page for each white paper. Include a clear summary and keywords relevant to your niche (e.g., “antibody screening,” “cell therapy manufacturing,” “biotech regulatory trends”).
Then reach out to:
- Industry publications and blogs that publish roundups or resource lists
- University researchers or lab websites in related fields
- Vendors or partners who might want to reference your findings
Offer a short excerpt or statistic they can quote with attribution.
Leverage Your Existing Network for Backlinks
Partners, vendors, and clients are often overlooked backlink sources.
If you’ve collaborated on a project, shared research, or use each other’s products, ask if they can link to your site – ideally to a specific white paper, case study, or profile page.
You can also offer to feature them on your site in return. These mutual links are usually easy to secure and highly relevant.
Get Featured in Industry Roundups and Resource Hubs
Many science-focused publishers, portals, and research organizations curate regular lists of tools, companies, or reports.
Find these opportunities by searching terms like “Top [Your Niche] Companies” or “[Topic] Resources for Researchers.”
Once you identify a list you’d like to be included in:
- Pitch your company or resource with a clear angle (e.g., “We just published a 2025 oncology market trends report”)
- Highlight how it helps their audience
- Include a link to a specific resource or landing page
Getting listed on a well-ranked page can drive both referral traffic and SEO value.
Partner With Scientific Publishers and Associations
Many associations and publishers allow partners or sponsors to contribute articles, case studies, or research briefs.
These partnerships often include backlinks to your site, especially if you provide original content.
Look for society blogs or newsletters (e.g., AAPS, SLAS, ISPE), publisher platforms like Labroots or SelectScience, and trade media that accept contributed content or expert commentary.
Choose topics that tie back to your white papers or services. Make sure each post includes a relevant link to a deeper resource on your site.
Use PR to Promote Scientific Milestones or Product Launches
When your company achieves something notable – like publishing peer-reviewed research, receiving funding, or launching a new platform – issue a press release.
Use reputable science PR platforms like EurekAlert, Newswise, or even PR Newswire with a targeted science distribution.
To get even more mileage:
- Reach out to niche journalists covering biotech or life sciences
- Send direct links to your whitepaper or results summary
- Make sure the press release includes a backlink to a relevant page on your site, not just the homepage
Offer to Guest Post on Complementary Industry Blogs
If you work with CROs, CDMOs, or software vendors, check whether they accept guest contributions.
Pitch a post that shares insights based on your data or operational experience. For example:
“What Biotech Startups Should Know Before Choosing a CRO”
Or:
“Lessons From Scaling Our ELISA Workflow: A Mid-Sized Biotech Perspective”
Include a contextual backlink to a relevant case study or research page on your site. This builds both authority and relationships in your ecosystem.
Submit to Research Aggregators and Data Portals
Some platforms collect open-access datasets, white papers, and technical documentation. These often allow outbound links to the original source.
Examples include: bioRxiv and ChemRxiv (for preprints), Figshare and Zenodo (for datasets), ResearchGate (for papers and citations).
Additional platforms to consider:
- ScienceDaily – for press releases and science news coverage
- Technology Networks – accepts contributed articles and product spotlights
- Labiotech.eu – ideal for European biotech exposure, accepts sponsored and editorial content
- GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News) – well-established for life science publishing and backlinks
- Medgadget – good for medtech and digital health announcements
- BioSpace – for news, editorial features, and company visibility
- STAT News – covers biotech and life science business; outreach to journalists may yield mentions or links
If your work fits these platforms, share it along with the original landing page link on your site. These citations can generate high-quality backlinks and long-term visibility.
List Your Company in Trusted Directories
Some science-specific directories allow you to create a profile and include a backlink.
Prioritize sites with strong domain authority and real industry traffic. Avoid SEO-only directories or anything that looks spammy.
Good options might include:
- BioPharmGuy – a biotech company directory
- Crunchbase (especially for startups or companies with funding news)
- Product directories tied to trade shows or associations
These listings help your visibility in both search and industry circles.
Make Backlinks Part of Your Scientific Content Strategy
Life science companies often invest heavily in creating high-quality scientific content – but don’t always promote it as widely as they could.
This is a missed opportunity and should be included in your life science SEO strategy.
Getting backlinks isn’t about chasing SEO tricks. It’s about making sure the right people can find, cite, and share your work.
Start with the assets you already have. Promote them smartly. Build relationships in your field. And your authority – both scientific and digital – will grow.
Dr. Pappert Communications helps life science companies increase visibility through smart, targeted digital marketing strategies. If you’d like help creating a life science backlink strategy, we can tailor one specifically for your website and industry.
If you’d like help crafting a backlink strategy tailored to your scientific content, we’d be happy to talk.
Get in touch for a free, no-strings-attached consultation and let’s make sure your brand gets discovered by the right audience.