Introduction
Backlinks are incoming links to a website from an external page. In other words, if another website links to your site, that’s considered a backlink.
Backlinks play a crucial role in SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines like Google use backlinks as one of the top ranking signals to determine the popularity and authority of a website. Simply put, more quality backlinks = better SEO and higher rankings.
So why exactly are backlinks so important for SEO and rankings? Let’s break it down.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Backlinks indicate trust, authority and popularity – key elements search engines want to see before ranking a web page highly.
SEO Benefits of Backlinks
- Boosts rankings and visibility in search engines
- Passes SEO “link juice” giving your site authority
- Shows search engines your content is valuable
- Increases referral traffic to your site
“Backlinks remain one of the strongest signals for search engine algorithms when calculating relevance and ranking.” – Moz
Backlinks as a Ranking Signal
Backlinks have been an integral part of Google’s algorithm and ranking factors for over two decades.
While metrics like relevance, quality score, and page experience carry more weight today, backlinks still serve as a crucial “off-page” ranking signal. Google uses backlinks to make inferences about your site’s:
- Popularity
- Trustworthiness
- Authority and credibility
- Influence in its niche
More quality backlinks suggest to Google your content is worthwhile, which leads to better rankings.
Popularity and Trustworthiness
The number of backlinks generally demonstrates the popularity of a website. More sites linking to you = more popular in Google’s eyes.
Additionally, backlinks from reputable, high authority sites indicate trustworthiness. Since authoritative sites are selective about who they link to, backlinks from these sites pass significant credibility signals.
Combined, these popularity and trust metrics boost how search engines perceive your site.
Types of Backlinks
There are many different types and sources for backlinks. Each provides unique SEO value.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Links
The key distinction is between dofollow and nofollow backlinks:
| Type | Description | Passes SEO Value? |
|---|---|---|
| Dofollow | Normal backlinks that pass link equity | Yes |
| Nofollow | Links with nofollow attribute that don’t pass equity | No |
Most editorial links are dofollow. Links in blog comments, forums and some press releases use nofollow to prevent spamming.
Image Backlinks
Image backlinks occur when other sites link back to your images externally hosted on your site. Image links help SEO like regular text backlinks.
Editorial Backlinks
Also called outbound or external backlinks, these are earned links from blog posts, articles, news stories or other editorial content on third-party sites. These are the gold standard for SEO.
Guest Post Backlinks
Guest blogging involves publishing posts with backlinks on reputable sites in your industry. This leads to earned, relevant links that also expand your reach to new audiences.
Social Media Backlinks
When reputable websites and personal profiles in social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) link to your content, these social media backlinks indicate popularity and trust as well.
Directory Backlinks
Getting your site listed and linked on relevant web directories still provides SEO value, although low. Avoid low-quality paid directories.
Forum and Blog Comment Backlinks
Commenting on forums and blogs in your niche can generate relevant backlinks. But many sites use nofollow on comment links to discourage spammers.
Broken Link Building
This tactic involves finding broken links on high authority pages and offering your relevant content as a replacement. If updated, the old broken links can pass authority to your site. Not scalable but smart for targeted outreach.
What Makes a Good Backlink?
Now let’s explore the qualities of high-value, effective backlinks for SEO gains:
Relevance and Authority
Backlinks should ideally come from reputable sites closely related to your niche and content. For example, if you run a weight loss blog, backlinks from sites like MayoClinic.com carry more weight than random sports blogs. This relevance is key.
Additionally, backlinks from high authority domains with metrics like high Domain Rating pass exponentially more SEO value.Copy
"The relevance of a link is determined by the semantic meaningfulness it adds to what's already on a page." - Google Quality Raters' Guidelines
Anchor Text Optimization
Anchor text refers to the linked, clickable words in a backlink pointing at your site. Varied, relevant anchor text is ideal. Avoid over-optimized anchor text like your brand name in every link. This raises spam flags.
Placement of Backlinks
Backlinks higher up and earlier in external content pass more SEO value compared to buried links like in sidebars or footers. But any good editorial link helps.
Follow vs. Nofollow Attributes
As covered earlier, aim for dofollow backlinks. Nofollow links have uses but don’t pass SEO link equity.
Both nofollow and dofollow links do boost branding and referral traffic though.
How to Get Backlinks
Now that you know why backlinks matter and the best types to pursue, here are proven tactics for earning quality backlinks:
Create High-Quality Content
Awesome content naturally attracts links. Optimize content for readers not search bots by focusing on value, actionable advice and problem-solving.
Use Content Marketing
Promote and distribute your content through social media, guest posts, Q+A sites like Quora, interviews and podcast appearances. Press releases also help. Distribute content on other sites and you’ll earn backlinks in the process.
Leverage Guest Blogging
Write and publish fantastic guest posts on reputable sites willing to host your content. Ensure your bio has a backlink too.
Collaborate with Influencers
Request experts, bloggers and other influencers in your niche to review your product or publish your guest post. They’ll likely link back to you.
Engage in PR Campaigns
Run a PR campaign through press releases and media outreach surrounding website launches, redesigns, awards, special events and major company news. Media coverage leads to valuable backlinks.
Utilize HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
Respond to HARO queries from journalists seeking experts like yourself for their stories. Place backlinks in your comments. This leads to great earned media links as their articles publish.
Conduct Competitor Analysis
Research competitors’ backlink profiles including top link sources. Replicate their success by reaching out for backlinks from similar publishers or web properties.
Implement Skyscraper Technique
Using the skyscraper method, find a competitor’s excellent piece of content then create something even more comprehensive and compelling on that topic to attract links.
Utilize Broken Link Building
As mentioned earlier, proactively hunt for dead or broken external links on authority sites then offer relevant replacement content with backlinks from your site. If updated, it leads to high value links.
“Getting links should never be about manipulation. It’s about creating and sharing great content.” – Rand Fishkin, Co-Founder Moz
Strategies for Building Backlinks
Follow these overarching strategies and best practices when pursuing backlinks:
Ethical Link-Building Practices
Stick to white hat, above board tactics. Never buy links or engage in deceptive practices like writing “guest posts” solely to insert hard-sell links. Focus on relationships and organic growth.
Avoid Black Hat Techniques
Stay away from shady schemes like link spamming blog comments, article marketing on low-quality sites, paid link networks, questionable redirects or doorway pages. Playing in the gray areas may lead to manual Google penalties if caught.
Outreach and Relationship Building
Quality backlinks stem from authentic relationships with other publishers, site owners, bloggers, influencers and journalists. Invest in nurturing connections. Help others too – sharing knowledge and resources builds goodwill for potential future links.
Utilizing Social Media for Links
Share your content on social networks daily. Gain followers and amplify reach. When reputable sites and profiles link to your content socially, these social media backlinks boost SEO too.
Backlink Analysis and Tools
How to Check Backlinks
Use free backlink analysis tools like Ahrefs, SEMRush or Moz’s Link Explorer to view all your current backlinks. Sort by domain authority, type (dofollow etc.) and anchor text optimization.
Analyze your link profile including top pages linked, anchor text patterns and referring domains.
Compare over time and check for lost links.
Best Backlink Analysis Tools
Here are the top backlink checkers and analyzers:
| Tool | Key Features | Free Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Full backlink profile analysis, metrics for each link, SEO metrics comparison, patrol lost links | 7 days |
| SEMRush | Backlink auditing, metrics for each link, exportable reports | 7 days |
| Moz | See every backlink, filter by follow/nofollow links, anchor text analysis | 30 day |
Monitoring and Maintaining Backlinks
Check backlink tools regularly to monitor new links gained, lost links pointing to broken pages (404 errors) and sudden drops potentially signaling algorithmic devaluation of poor links.
Perform maintenance by creating redirects from changed URLs, getting broken links updated or proactively disavowing sketchy links.
Continuously improve your backlink profile.
Competitor Backlink Analysis
Enter competitors into backlink analysis tools to view their top linking domains and opportunities for you to request backlinks from similar sites.
Sort their links by authority metrics to identify the most valuable link prospects.
Common Backlink Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Optimization
Avoid unnaturally stuffing anchor text with your brand name in every external link. Use varied, descriptive anchor text pointing to targeted pages for better optimization.
Ignoring Nofollow Links
While nofollow links don’t directly influence rankings, they drive referral traffic and branding. So don’t neglect social media links, comments or other sites marked nofollow.
Poor Quality Links
We know backlinks impact how search engines view your site. But low-value links from irrelevant or sketchy sites can actually hurt you. Stick to earning links naturally from quality sites related to your content and industry.
Focusing Solely on Quantity
Don’t get distracted chasing high backlink numbers alone. 100 great backlinks from authoritative industry sites are exponentially more powerful for SEO than 10,000 low-quality links. Quality over quantity.
Best Practices for Backlinks
Follow these backlink commandments:
Diversify Your Backlink Profile
Earn links from a range of different sites like .edu domains, directories, news sites, web 2.0 blogs, competitors and niche authority sites for balance. Don’t rely only on say guest posts. Mix link types for robustness.
Regularly Audit Your Backlinks
Check backlink tools routinely to monitor new links gained, lost backlinks from dead pages and sketchy links potentially needing disavowal. Keep your backlink profile clean and growing with positive momentum.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
Obsess over link quality not totals. View backlinks sorted by domain authority metrics. Set goals around earning premium links each month from reputable industry publications over amassing volumes of weaker links.
Stay Updated on SEO Trends
Adapt your link building campaigns to Google’s evolving algorithms valuing links from trustworthy sites most. Learn the latest techniques as SEO shifts from quantity to quality signals.
Conclusion
Earning quality backlinks remains hugely impactful for search engine optimization today despite Google advances leveraging machine learning and understanding content more contextually.
Backlinks signal external validation and authority to raise relevance in search results. Plus backlinks drive referral visitors to your site. By sticking to ethical tactics and focusing on value-adding content designed to generate authentic links rather than artificial totals, your SEO efforts will be rewarded over time. Pay attention to lost links and new link opportunities.
Link building never stops. Continually produce compelling content and distribute it widely. Nurture relationships with influencers in your space. And stay tuned into Google’s evolving algorithms to adapt link building strategies accordingly.
For faster backlink indexing use Indexsor.com it’s the most popular backlink indexing service provider in the market. So now you know What are Backlinks in SEO? And Why Are Backlinks Important?.
FAQs:
What are some ways to increase the chances of acquiring backlinks to my site?
Here are some tips for increasing backlinks:
- Create shareworthy, compelling content – Unique insights and actionable advice naturally attract links. Infographics and data-rich posts also get frequently cited. Promote your best content.
- Reach out to your network – Email influencers, brands and webmasters in your industry to consider linking to relevant, high-value posts you’ve written. Nurture these relationships.
- Guest blogging – Publish posts with backlinks on other popular, respected sites related to your niche. Ensure you get a link in author bio too.
- Interact socially – Share, comment on and link to others’ useful posts on social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter. People will often reciprocate linking back to your site.
How often should I check my site’s backlink profile?
Industry best practices are to use backlink analysis tools to audit your full backlink profile at least once per quarter. Additionally, signing up for link alerts allows easier monitoring of new links gained in close to real time versus less frequent manual checks.
Is there an “ideal” number of backlinks I should target?
There is no universal “ideal amount” of backlinks that guarantees Google rankings. The search algorithm cares more about backlinks’ overall quality versus total quantity. Think of links in terms of SEO authority passed rather than numbers alone. 100 great editorial links will help immensely more than 1,000+ weak directory links. As you build quality links over time, increased totals come as a byproduct of creating compelling content steadily earning links.
Can I lose my search engine rankings if I lose backlinks?
Potentially yes – if you lose a substantial number of reputable quality backlinks, it can negatively influence search rankings. Sites regularly change and delete old content resulting in lost links. Use backlink monitoring tools check often for broken backlinks to take cleanup actions like requesting updated links or setting redirects. Focus on building an expanding number of good backlinks over time to outpace any potential losses.
I have lots of low-quality backlinks from an old campaign. Should I disavow them?
If you have legacy links employing shady schemes no longer recommended like article marketing on spammy networks or comment link spam, disavowing them signals Google not to associate those toxic links with your site anymore. Be careful though – mass disavowing everything looks suspicious too. Use backlink analysis tools to identify clusters of clearly manipulative links pointing to your site, then disavow those specific domains. Don’t blanket disavow all links. Focus instead on counteracting bad links by building high quality backlinks continuously over months and years.
