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Relevancy matters, but it’s not “only link from the exact same niche or it’s useless.” Google uses links as a signal for relevance and discovery, and the context around a link (page topic, placement, anchor, editorial intent) is a big part of whether it helps
Also, you don’t need competitors to link to you. Look for “adjacent” sites where your customers already are: suppliers, integrations, associations, local press, niche podcasts/newsletters, customer stories, and directories that real people use. Those tend to be both safer and more impactful long term.
