Retention Edge E10: How to Land Backlinks in Forbes, NYT & Tier-1 Media

We just dropped a new episode of the Retention Edge podcast with Chris Panteli, co-founder of Linkifi, a digital PR link building agency.

Sitting down with Eric, Chris shares his journey from running a fish and chip shop to building an agency that helps brands earn high-authority backlinks through media coverage.

The conversation dives into how ecommerce brands can leverage digital PR for visibility, credibility, and growth — especially heading into high-stakes seasons like Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

You can check out the full episode below, or jump over to YouTube or Spotify (don’t forget to like, rate, comment & subscribe).

We also just launched the perfect guide to help you maximize results this holiday season.

The 2025 BFCM Mobile App Playbook breaks down how mobile apps and push notifications are your secret weapon during BFCM.

With apps & push, you can drive sales at higher margins, skip over crowded inboxes and saturated social feeds, and open up a direct line to your customers.

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Now, let’s dive into what we discussed on the pod.

Why Digital PR Matters for Ecommerce

• PR isn’t just for big brands. Ecommerce stores can leverage it by aligning experts with their niche (e.g., a nutritionist for a supplement brand).

• Media coverage builds both SEO authority and customer trust, boosting conversion rates with recognizable press badges.

Practical Ways to Get Started

• Use aggregator platforms like HARO, Source of Sources, or Qwoted to connect with journalists looking for expert quotes.

• Optimize your about page and expert bios so journalists can quickly verify credentials. Clear photos, LinkedIn links, and qualifications are key.

• Follow journalist requests closely: provide exactly what they ask for, quickly, and in the right format.

Scaling & Measuring ROI

• Time-box your outreach: even 20-30 minutes a day responding to the right opportunities compounds over time.

• Track mentions with Google Alerts or Talkwalker; many links are won simply by following up when journalists forget to link.

• The first few high-authority backlinks deliver outsized value: SEO gains, trust signals, and visibility in AI-driven search models.

AI & the Future of Link Building

• AI can streamline PR by cleaning and formatting pitches without stripping natural tone.

• LLMs increasingly rely on trusted brands and citations. Building PR authority now pays dividends as search evolves.

• User-generated platforms like Reddit influence AI recommendations, but manipulation is temporary. The long-term wins come from real brand authority.

Final Tips from Chris

• Get started: even one strong link can change your trajectory.

• Track everything: 40% of Linkify’s links come from follow-up on unlinked mentions.

• Play the long game: earned media builds lasting authority that outlives quick SEO hacks.

If you want to start getting more organic traffic, or just future-proof your SEO against AI and algorithm shifts, this episode is a must-listen.

You can check out all of our conversations with leading marketing, CX and retention experts on YouTube and Spotify.

Like and leave a comment on YouTube, and give us a review on Spotify if you found this content helpful.

Remember to check out the BFCM App Playbook, and start putting together a BFCM strategy that drives long-term gains, not just a short-term spike.

Best,

Pietro and The Retention Edge Team

PS: thinking about launching your own app? Go to our website to get a preview of your app for free, or shoot me a DM on LinkedIn to talk about it.