Effective Crowdfunding Link Building for SEO in 2025

Crowdfunding isn’t just about raising funds for exciting projects—it’s also a game-changing opportunity for SEO. Yet, most businesses overlook its potential as a powerful link-building strategy.

Imagine securing high-authority backlinks from respected crowdfunding platforms with minimal effort and cost. Unlike traditional link-building techniques that require extensive outreach or content creation, crowdfunding link-building is a straightforward, scalable, and budget-friendly way to earn valuable backlinks.

In this guide, we’ll break down how crowdfunding link-building works, the best platforms to target, and strategies to maximize your SEO impact. Whether you’re an SEO professional, business owner, or marketer, this underrated tactic could be your next big win.

What is Crowdfunding Link Building?

Crowdfunding is a fundraising method where individuals contribute small amounts to support a project, business, or cause. Platforms like Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and Indiegogo connect campaign creators with backers who provide financial support.

So, how does this relate to SEO and link building?

When you donate to a crowdfunding campaign, many platforms list contributors on a backer’s page, often with a link to their website. This creates an opportunity to secure backlinks from high-authority domains while supporting meaningful projects.

In short, crowdfunding link building is a smart, low-effort way to earn backlinks while helping fund exciting initiatives.

Is Crowdfunding Link Building Worth It?

Crowdfunding link building offers a unique way to earn high-quality backlinks while supporting meaningful projects. Unlike paid link schemes, this method is a white-hat SEO strategy that aligns with Google’s guidelines. But is it truly worth the effort? Let’s break it down.

Supporting crowdfunding campaigns can help you secure backlinks from high-authority domains like charities, non-profits, and innovative startups. These backlinks boost domain authority, enhance search rankings, and drive referral traffic. It’s also a great tactic for local SEO, as contributing to regional campaigns helps establish credibility in your area.

Compared to guest posting or digital PR, crowdfunding link building is more budget-friendly. A small donation can land you a powerful backlink from a reputable source, making it a low-cost but high-value strategy. Plus, it requires minimal effort—no content creation, just smart contribution choices.

How Crowdfunding Link Building Works

Crowdfunding link building follows a simple but strategic process—you donate to a campaign in exchange for a backlink from a reputable website. But not every crowdfunding opportunity is worth your time. Here’s how to find the right campaigns, secure valuable backlinks, and ensure long-term SEO benefits.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Process

1. Identifying Relevant Campaigns
   The first step is to find crowdfunding campaigns within your niche. Supporting industry-relevant projects increases the credibility and value of the backlink. Use Google search operators, Google Alerts, and monitor crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe to find suitable campaigns.
2. Evaluating Website Quality
   Not all crowdfunding campaigns provide valuable links. Assess the domain authority (DA), organic traffic, and credibility of the campaign’s website before making a donation. Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to check if the website is worth getting a backlink from.
3. Ensuring Proper Link Placement
   Once you’ve selected a campaign, check where donors’ names and links are displayed. Some campaigns have a dedicated “Thank You” page, while others place links within updates or sponsor lists. Make sure the link is dofollow so it passes SEO value.

How Donations Secure Backlinks

Most crowdfunding platforms offer recognition perks for donors, and backlinks often come in the form of:

• Contributor Pages – A page listing donors along with their websites.
• Sponsor Lists – Some campaigns showcase businesses that contributed.
• Donor Recognition Links – A backlink embedded in campaign updates or the official project page.

The higher the donation tier, the more visibility your link might receive. Some campaigns even provide homepage mentions for larger contributions.

Crowdfunding vs. Traditional Link Building

How does crowdfunding compare to other link-building strategies like guest posting, HARO, or broken link building?

Strategy	Cost	Effort	Link Authority	Competition
Crowdfunding Link Building	Low	Minimal	High (if chosen well)	Low
Guest Posting	High	High	High	High
HARO (Help a Reporter Out)	Free	Moderate	High	High
Broken Link Building	Medium	High	High	Medium

Choose the Right Crowdfunding Campaigns

Not all crowdfunding campaigns offer valuable backlinks, so choosing the right ones is key to making this strategy work. You’ll need to find relevant campaigns, evaluate their domain authority, and confirm that your link will be placed properly before donating. Here’s how:

1) Find Relevant Campaigns in Your Niche

To get the most SEO value from crowdfunding link building, the campaign you support should be closely related to your industry. A niche-relevant link carries more weight than a random backlink from an unrelated project.

Use Google Search Operators

Google’s advanced search operators can help you quickly identify crowdfunding campaigns that offer link opportunities. Try these search queries:

• site:kickstarter.com inurl:projects + “donor page”
• site:gofundme.com inurl:projects + “link to your website”
• site:indiegogo.com inurl:projects + “backers list”

These queries filter out irrelevant campaigns and show only those that mention donor links.

Set Up Google Alerts

Instead of manually searching every time, set up Google Alerts to track new crowdfunding campaigns as soon as they go live.

1. Go to Google Alerts.
2. Enter relevant keywords like:

“donor page” + your industry keyword

“thank you page” + crowdfunding

3. Set the alert frequency to daily or weekly.
4. Google will notify you whenever a new campaign matches your criteria.

Check Campaign Relevance & Authority

Even if a campaign offers backlinks, not all links are worth having. Before donating, ask yourself:

✔️ Is this campaign relevant to my industry?
✔️ Is the campaign hosted on a reputable crowdfunding platform?
✔️ Does the campaign page have a strong online presence?

If the campaign has low traffic, poor branding, or looks like a quick cash grab, it’s best to move on.

2) Evaluate Domain Strength & Credibility

A high-quality backlink comes from a website with strong authority. Here’s how to check if a crowdfunding site is worth your time and money.

Some crowdfunding platforms have higher domain authority than others. Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe are generally trustworthy, while smaller, unknown platforms may have low authority or spammy practices.

Avoid sites that:
🚩 Have a high number of spammy outbound links.
🚩 Offer guaranteed links for money (violates Google’s guidelines).
🚩 Show no clear backlink placement for donors.

Tools for Checking Domain Rating (DR) & Spam Score

Before donating, use SEO tools to analyze the crowdfunding site:

• Ahrefs – Check the Domain Rating (DR) to see if the site has strong backlinks.
• Moz Spam Score – Identify if the site is associated with black-hat SEO tactics.
• SEMrush – Review the traffic, keyword rankings, and backlink history.

A high DR (above 50) and low spam score indicate a trustworthy website worth linking from.

3) Confirm Backlink Opportunities

Just because a campaign mentions donors doesn’t mean it offers actual backlinks. Before donating, confirm where your link will appear and whether it holds SEO value.

Look for a clear statement on the campaign page that mentions donor links. The best backlink placements include:

✔️ Dedicated “Thank You” Pages – Lists donors and their websites.
✔️ Sponsor Sections – Ideal for businesses supporting industry-related projects.
✔️ Project Updates – Some campaigns include links in follow-up posts.

If the page only mentions donor names without links, it won’t help your SEO.

Before donating, check if the campaign provides DoFollow or NoFollow links:

Use browser extensions like MozBar to check if links are DoFollow. While NoFollow links aren’t entirely useless, DoFollow links are more beneficial for SEO.

Automating Your Crowdfunding Link Building Strategy

Manually hunting for the right crowdfunding campaigns can be time-consuming and inefficient. By automating the process, you can discover new opportunities faster, track your progress, and streamline your outreach efforts. Here’s how to do it.

Set Up Google Alerts & SEO Tools

Instead of searching daily, Google Alerts can notify you whenever new crowdfunding campaigns match your criteria.

1️⃣ Go to Google Alerts.
2️⃣ Enter search queries like:

• site:kickstarter.com inurl:projects + “link to your website”
• site:gofundme.com inurl:projects + “donor page”

3️⃣ Choose alert frequency (daily or weekly).
4️⃣ Monitor your inbox for new campaigns as they appear.

For more advanced tracking, SEO tools like Ahrefs Content Explorer, SEMrush Brand Monitoring, and BuzzSumo can help discover fresh crowdfunding campaigns in real-time.

Use AI & Scraping Tools to Find New Opportunities

AI-powered tools can analyze crowdfunding websites and extract relevant campaigns faster than manual searches.

AI-powered search tools like SEMrush’s Content Explorer or Ahrefs’ Alerts can help uncover new campaigns as they emerge.

Web scraping tools like Scrapy, Apify, or Octoparse can scan crowdfunding platforms and pull campaign details automatically.

These tools save time by collecting campaign URLs, project details, and backlink opportunities in bulk, so you don’t have to search manually.

Build a Crowdfunding Link Building Tracker

Once you have a list of potential crowdfunding campaigns, tracking your progress is essential. A simple spreadsheet or CRM tool can help you stay organized.

Google Sheets or Excel – Track campaign names, URLs, domain rating, and backlink placement status.

BuzzStream or Pitchbox – Manage outreach efforts, schedule follow-ups, and track which campaigns converted into backlinks.

Keeping your link-building tracker updated ensures you don’t miss follow-ups and can scale your efforts efficiently.

Maximize the Impact of Crowdfunding Links

Simply securing crowdfunding backlinks isn’t enough—you need to ensure they contribute to your SEO strategy effectively. Here’s how to get the most out of them.

Ensure Your Link Adds Value

Not all links are equal. Aim for placements in high-visibility sections, such as donor recognition pages or campaign updates, to ensure they get maximum exposure and traffic.

Use Natural Anchor Text

Avoid spammy or keyword-stuffed anchor text. Instead, use natural, contextual phrases that fit seamlessly into the content. This helps maintain a healthy backlink profile.

Diversify Your Backlink Profile

Relying solely on crowdfunding links isn’t ideal. Mix them with guest posts, HARO links, and editorial mentions to build a well-rounded backlink profile that Google trusts.

Use Social Media for Extra Exposure

Share your contributions on LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry forums to increase visibility and engagement. This can drive referral traffic and boost brand authority beyond just SEO.

Enhance Link Authority with Content Marketing

To maximize the value of your links, create blog posts, case studies, or press releases discussing your contributions. This adds credibility and reinforces your backlink strategy with relevant content.

Launch Your Own Crowdfunding Campaign

Launching a crowdfunding campaign isn’t just about raising funds—it’s also a powerful SEO strategy. Platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe offer high-authority backlinks that can boost your website’s credibility.

When you create a crowdfunding page, you often link to your main website, social media, or press mentions. This allows you to tap into the domain authority of crowdfunding platforms while also attracting backlinks from news articles, industry blogs, and other supporters.

1. High-Authority Backlinks

Most crowdfunding websites have high domain authority (DA), meaning links from them carry significant SEO weight. For example:

• Kickstarter DA: 92
• Indiegogo DA: 89
• GoFundMe DA: 94

Getting a dofollow backlink from these platforms signals trust and authority to Google, helping your website rank higher.

2. Keyword Optimization for Extra Visibility

A well-structured crowdfunding campaign can rank on search engines if optimized with relevant keywords. Choose a clear, keyword-rich campaign title and description to increase the chances of appearing in organic searches.

3. PR and Media Coverage Boost

Successful crowdfunding projects often attract media attention, leading to mentions in:

• News websites (Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider)
• Industry blogs
• Niche forums and social media

4. Social & Community Engagement

Crowdfunding platforms encourage direct engagement with your audience. Supporters often share your campaign on social media, forums, and community sites, leading to even more backlink opportunities.

Top Crowdfunding Platforms for Link Building

Not all crowdfunding platforms are created equal when it comes to link-building opportunities. Some cater to creative projects, while others focus on charity, business investment, or recurring donations. Choosing the right platform can help you gain high-authority backlinks while supporting relevant causes.

Here are some of the best crowdfunding platforms for securing backlinks:

1. Kickstarter – Best for Creative Projects

Kickstarter is the go-to platform for innovative projects, including tech gadgets, games, films, and art. Many campaigns link back to company websites and blogs, making it a great opportunity to earn links while supporting creative ventures.

2. Indiegogo – Flexible Funding Model

Unlike Kickstarter, Indiegogo offers both fixed and flexible funding options. This means campaigns don’t always need to meet their goals to receive funding. It’s ideal for early-stage businesses and startups looking to secure both funding and valuable backlinks.

3. GoFundMe – Ideal for Charitable Causes

GoFundMe is a donation-based crowdfunding platform, widely used for medical expenses, social causes, and personal emergencies. Supporting high-profile charity campaigns can earn you links from news coverage, donor pages, and recognition sections.

4. Patreon – Subscription-Based Crowdfunding

Patreon is designed for content creators, influencers, and artists who want recurring financial support from their audience. Many Patreon pages link to sponsor websites, providing a unique way to gain backlinks in the creative and digital space.

5. Crowdfunder – Equity Crowdfunding Platform

Crowdfunder allows businesses to raise investment capital by offering equity in return. Because these campaigns are often backed by investors and professionals, they tend to have high-credibility backlinks from business-related websites.

6. Mightycause – Focused on Nonprofits & Social Good

Mightycause is specifically designed for nonprofits and charitable initiatives. Donations often come with public acknowledgments and backlinks on campaign pages, making it a great platform for ethical link-building.

7. Fundable – Great for Business-Oriented Fundraising

Fundable helps startups and businesses raise capital through crowdfunding or equity investment. Many tech companies and entrepreneurs use this platform, and linking to their websites is common, creating great link-building potential.

8. StartEngine – Equity Investment for Startups

StartEngine connects investors with startups, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking for funding. Campaigns here frequently link to founder websites and press releases, providing an opportunity to gain quality backlinks.

9. SeedInvest – Investor-Focused Crowdfunding for Startups

SeedInvest is an equity crowdfunding platform designed for startups seeking venture capital. Many companies launching campaigns here link back to their own sites, making it a valuable source of authoritative links.

10. Wefunder – Startup-Friendly Crowdfunding Platform

Wefunder is one of the largest platforms for equity crowdfunding. It attracts angel investors and entrepreneurs, with many linking back to their business websites. This makes it a powerful tool for startup-related link-building efforts.

Final Words on Crowdfunding Link Building

Crowdfunding link building is an underutilized but highly effective SEO strategy. By strategically supporting relevant campaigns, businesses can secure high-quality backlinks, increase brand visibility, and boost domain authority while contributing to meaningful projects.

As SEO trends evolve, crowdfunding-based link building is expected to become more popular, with AI-driven discovery tools, automated donation tracking, and more businesses launching their own campaigns for backlinks. Search engines continue to prioritize natural, high-authority links, making this strategy a powerful addition to any link-building plan.

If you need assistance in implementing crowdfunding link building effectively, working with SEO professionals can help streamline the process. For personalized guidance and a tailored SEO strategy, you can connect with an expert here.