Why RiSEO’s Link Building Services Are Essential for Google, AI Assistants & the Zero-Click Era

Introduction: Search Is No Longer What It Used to Be

For the past 20 years, digital marketing has been dominated by one pursuit: ranking on the first page of Google. Businesses invested heavily in SEO, paid search, and content marketing — all with the same aim: to win those coveted organic clicks.

But things have changed dramatically. In 2025, Google is no longer the only gatekeeper. Artificial intelligence (AI) search assistants, conversational AI tools, and autonomous AI agents now play a critical role in how users find and interact with information.

Whether it’s ChatGPT answering questions directly, Bing Copilot summarising the web, or Google’s AI Overviews giving instant answers, the search experience increasingly bypasses the traditional “ten blue links”.

This poses a new challenge for businesses: how do you ensure your brand gets found, cited, and trusted — not just by Google, but also by AI-powered platforms?

The answer lies in building authority. And authority online has always been driven by one factor above all others: high-quality backlinks.

That’s exactly what RiSEO’s link building services deliver. In this guide, we’ll explore:

• The history and ongoing importance of link building.

• How AI assistants and zero-click results are reshaping SEO.

• The unique benefits of RiSEO’s link building approach.

• A practical roadmap for businesses that want to secure visibility in the future of search.

• FAQs designed to capture zero-click snippets.

The Evolution of Link Building: From Early SEO to 2025

To understand why link building is still critical, it helps to see how it has evolved.

1. The Early Days (1998–2005)

When Google launched in the late 1990s, its revolutionary PageRank algorithm ranked websites partly by the number and quality of links pointing to them. Marketers quickly realised that links were the new currency of visibility.

Unfortunately, this led to manipulation — link farms, directory spam, and reciprocal linking schemes.

2. The Quality Era (2005–2012)

Google cracked down with major updates (Penguin, Panda) that punished low-quality links. The focus shifted to earning genuine, editorial backlinks from reputable websites.

3. The Content Era (2012–2020)

Marketers embraced “content marketing” — publishing high-value guides, infographics, and studies designed to attract organic links. Outreach became more strategic, with guest posting and influencer partnerships rising.

4. The Authority Era (2020–2025)

Today, it’s not just about links, but who links to you. Google emphasises E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Meanwhile, AI systems favour trusted, heavily linked sources when surfacing answers.

This evolution makes one thing clear: link building has never disappeared. It has matured. And in the era of AI search, it’s more vital than ever.

Why Backlinks Still Matter

Despite talk of “SEO being dead”, backlinks remain the backbone of online visibility. Here’s why:

• Authority Signal: A backlink is still a vote of confidence, telling algorithms your content is credible.

• Referral Traffic: Beyond rankings, links send direct visitors — often highly engaged.

• AI Influence: AI assistants look for signals of reliability. Websites with strong backlink profiles are more likely to be cited.

• Resilience: Algorithms change constantly, but backlinks consistently remain a top three ranking factor.

👉 If you’re serious about visibility, investing in RiSEO’s link building services is one of the safest, most sustainable strategies you can adopt.

The Rise of AI Search Assistants and AI Agents

Let’s take a closer look at how search has fragmented.

AI Search Assistants

Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity are now used daily by millions. They answer queries conversationally rather than presenting a list of links.

When these assistants surface information, they favour authoritative sources with strong signals of trust — often sites with high-quality backlinks.

AI Agents

AI agents go one step further: they don’t just answer, they take action. Whether booking travel, recommending software, or purchasing products, AI agents are becoming digital intermediaries.

For businesses, this means:

• If your site isn’t deemed trustworthy, you’re never suggested.

• You lose visibility before the human decision-maker even enters the picture.

Google’s Zero-Click Results

Meanwhile, Google itself now answers queries directly in snippets, knowledge panels, and AI Overviews. More than 60% of searches result in no click at all.

Yet visibility here still matters. Being cited in a zero-click result builds awareness and trust — and backlinks are a key factor in being chosen.

How RiSEO Helps You Win in the AI and Zero-Click Era

RiSEO doesn’t treat link building as a numbers game. Every campaign is strategic, ethical, and tailored to your business goals.

Here’s how RiSEO’s services stand apart:

1. Quality Over Quantity

Forget spammy bulk link packages. RiSEO secures editorially placed backlinks from respected, relevant sites that genuinely boost authority.

👉 See our ethical Link Outreach for more on our white-hat approach.

2. AI-Aware Link Building

We build links that don’t just influence Google, but position your site as a trusted source for AI models. This means focusing on high-authority domains that AI assistants are more likely to trust.

3. Industry-Specific Outreach

No two industries are the same. RiSEO identifies the websites your audience trusts — ensuring every link is relevant.

4. 100% White-Hat Practices for Link Outreach

We avoid shortcuts that risk penalties. All RiSEO Link Outreach is manual, ethical, and sustainable.

5. Transparency and Reporting

Every client gets clear reporting: links placed, metrics improved, and traffic driven.

Tangible Benefits of Link Building with RiSEO

1. Improved Rankings

High-quality backlinks remain one of Google’s strongest ranking signals. With RiSEO, you’ll see measurable gains in keyword rankings.

2. Referral Traffic

Strategically placed links don’t just improve SEO — they bring direct visitors already interested in your niche.

3. AI Assistant Visibility

AI tools increasingly cite sources. With a stronger backlink profile, your content is more likely to be chosen as a reference.

4. Brand Authority

Appearing on trusted sites elevates your reputation, making you a recognised leader in your industry.

5. Long-Term ROI

Backlinks are assets that keep paying dividends. A single high-quality link can deliver years of traffic and trust.

👉 Explore our SEO packages to see how RiSEO combines link building with broader optimisation.

Link Building in the Zero-Click World

Sceptical about link building in a world where people don’t always click? Consider this:

• Citations still shape perception. Even without clicks, your brand gains exposure.

• Visibility builds trust. Seeing your brand repeatedly in AI answers and snippets creates subconscious credibility.

• Indirect ROI. Today’s zero-click impression often leads to tomorrow’s direct visit or conversion.

RiSEO ensures your brand is part of the conversation, whether or not a click happens.

How RiSEO’s Link Building Process Works

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Strategy – Analyse your current backlink profile to make certain no outreach sites are duplicated.

2. Content Creation – Produce high-value content designed to earn links.

3. Outreach – Build genuine relationships with journalists, bloggers, and publishers to secure placements.

4. Placement – Secure links on trusted, relevant websites with editorial approval.

Example Case Study: E-commerce Success

A mid-sized UK e-commerce retailer specialising in eco-friendly products was in need of traffic and conversions. Despite a solid product range, their site languished on page three for key terms, with minimal organic traffic.

Before

• Domain lacked authority.

• Few quality backlinks (mostly low-value directory links).

• AI assistants ignored their content entirely.

After 6 Months

• 100+ new high-quality backlinks secured from eco-blogs, lifestyle magazines, and industry publications.

• Organic traffic up 165%.

• 18 target keywords moved to page one of Google, with 7 in the top three.

• Their brand began appearing in Bing Copilot and Perplexity answers when users asked about eco-friendly product recommendations.

Impact

The business reported a 35% uplift in sales directly attributed to organic and referral traffic. More importantly, they became recognised as an authority in their niche.

The Future of Link Building Beyond 2025

Looking ahead, three trends will shape the importance of backlinks:

1. AI Citation Reliance – AI tools will increasingly cite only the most authoritative websites.

2. E-E-A-T Prioritisation – Google will double down on rewarding sites that demonstrate expertise, experience, and trustworthiness through strong links.

3. Zero-Click Normalisation – With fewer clicks, brand visibility and authority will be the key ROI metrics.

RiSEO is already preparing clients for this future. By focusing on ethical, authoritative link building, we ensure your brand isn’t just relevant today — it’s future-proof.

FAQs About Link Building and RiSEO

What is link building and why does it matter?

Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to your site. These links act as trust signals for Google and AI assistants, improving your rankings and visibility.

Is link building still important in 2025?

Yes. Despite changes in search, backlinks remain one of the top three ranking factors. They are also crucial for being cited in AI search results.

How long does link building take to show results?

Most clients see results within 3–6 months. However, backlinks are long-term assets that continue to deliver value for years.

Are RiSEO’s link building tactics safe?

Absolutely. We never engage in spammy or manipulative link schemes.

Can link building help me in the zero-click era?

Yes. Even if users don’t click, being cited in AI results and snippets builds authority, trust, and brand recall.

Conclusion: Get Found, Get Trusted, Get Traction

Visibility is no longer guaranteed by Google rankings alone. To succeed, your brand must be trusted by both search engines and AI assistants.

RiSEO’s link building services give you that trust. By securing high-quality, relevant, and ethical backlinks, RiSEO ensures your website is discovered, cited, and chosen — not just today, but in the AI-powered future of search.

👉 Ready to secure your visibility? Explore RiSEO’s link building services today.