Definition
Scholarship link building is a technique that involves creating a scholarship and contacting universities and schools to reference it on their scholarship pages, generating .edu backlinks with high domain authority. This strategy was very popular because .edu links are traditionally considered highly valuable in SEO. However, Google has explicitly identified this practice as an artificial link scheme when used primarily to obtain links rather than genuinely supporting students. Many universities have also stopped referencing low-amount private scholarships. The technique should be used with caution and ideally with genuine philanthropic intent.
Key Points
- Google has identified this technique as a link scheme when the goal is purely SEO
- .edu links are increasingly difficult to obtain through this method
- The scholarship must be genuine and of a significant amount to be credible
Practical Examples
Legitimate scholarship
A tech company creates a $5,500 scholarship for digital marketing students. Several universities reference it on their scholarship pages, generating .edu backlinks.
Technique abuse
A site creates a '$100 scholarship' with vague criteria, solely to obtain .edu links. Google may devalue these links and universities increasingly refuse such requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Less and less. Google has explicitly mentioned this technique as a link scheme. Universities are increasingly wary. If you create a scholarship, do it with genuine intent and a significant amount, not just for the links.
Offer educational content (studies, guides) for university resource pages, participate in academic conferences, or sponsor student events. These approaches are more natural and sustainable.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07