Backlinks: What Are They and Do They Matter?
Ever wondered what backlinks are and why they matter for your website? Let’s break it down together. Think of backlinks like word-of-mouth recommendations. Just like you trust your friend’s advice on the best new homewares store in town, search engines trust backlinks to decide which websites are worth showing to users.
Let’s take a closer look at:
What are backlinks?
Why do backlinks matter?
Quality vs Quantity
How to get good backlinks
Avoiding bad/toxic backlinks
FAQs about backlinks
What Exactly Are Backlinks?
Backlinks, also known as inbound or incoming links, are hyperlinks from one website to another. When another website links to yours, it’s a signal to search engines that your site is credible and has valuable content.
These links are crucial in search engine algorithms and play a significant role in determining your site’s ranking on search results pages.
This is what a backlink looks like in code. Here is a do-follow link directing to another site.
Why Do Backlinks Matter?
The more quality backlinks you have, the more credible your site appears. It's a bit like how a restaurant with rave reviews and a full house every night looks more appealing than one that’s always empty.
According to Backlinko, backlinks are one of the important ranking factors for Google. This means that if you want your site to appear on the first page of search results, building a solid backlink profile is crucial.
The Quality Over Quantity Debate
Now, not all backlinks are created equal. Moz explains this concept really well. According to Moz, quality backlinks come from authoritative sites that are relevant to your industry. These high-quality links tell search engines that your site is a reliable source of information.
A link from your own content shared on another site or a site related to your industry will always be better than a link from a site that is completely separate from your industry and irrelevant to your site.
So, How Can You Get Good Backlinks For Your Site?
So, how do you get other websites to link to yours? Here are some easy tips to follow for creating great quality and relevant backlinks:
Create Great Content
People naturally link to content that is useful, entertaining, or informational. By creating and sharing useful content, like a guide on styling your living room with flowers, you can let the internet do the work for you.
Guest Blogging
Write articles for other relevant websites in your industry. If they choose to include your blog on their site, you will earn a link back to your own site.
Broken Link Building
This is a clever tactic where you find broken links on other websites and suggest your content as a replacement. Most sites would be happy you have found the issue and will replace the broken link with your own.
For more in-depth strategies, check out SEMRush's guide on getting backlinks. They’ve got some fantastic ideas that can help you get started.
Avoiding Bad Backlinks
While building backlinks is essential, it’s equally important to avoid bad backlinks. Bad backlinks come from spammy, irrelevant, or low-quality sites and can actually hurt your site’s ranking.
Mailchimp warns about this in their article on why backlinks are important for SEO. They advise against using shady link-building practices like buying links or participating in link farms.
Keeping Track of Your Backlinks
Just like you’d keep an eye on your Google business reviews, it’s crucial to monitor your backlinks. Tools like Google Search Console, Moz, and Ahrefs can help you track who’s linking to your site. This way, you can disavow any harmful links and ensure your backlink profile remains healthy.
FAQs about Backlinks
What is a backlink?
A backlink is a link from one website to another. It’s like a recommendation, signalling to search engines that your site is trustworthy and valuable.
How do I get backlinks?
You can get backlinks by creating great content, guest blogging, building relationships with other site owners, and using tactics like broken link building.
What makes a good backlink?
A good backlink comes from a reputable and relevant website.
Can bad backlinks hurt my site?
Yes, backlinks from spammy, irrelevant, or low-quality sites can harm your site's ranking. It’s important to avoid dodgy link-building practices.
How can I check my backlinks?
Tools like Google Search Console, Moz, and Ahrefs can help you track who’s linking to your site and monitor the quality of your backlinks.
How many backlinks do I need?
Quality is more important than quantity. A few high-quality backlinks from reputable sites are better than many from low-quality sites.
Are paid backlinks worth it?
No, paid backlinks can harm your site's ranking and violate search engine guidelines.
Contact Us For SEO Help
Backlinks are a part of SEO, acting as votes of confidence from other websites. They help search engines determine the trustworthiness and relevance of your site. By focusing on quality over quantity, building genuine relationships, and keeping an eye on your backlink profile, you can boost your site’s ranking and attract more visitors.
Check out Backlinko, SEMrush, Moz, and Mailchimp for more detailed insights on backlinks. They’ve got loads of great information that can help you take your website to the next level.
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Author - Tanya Northey, Sunshine Coast SEO Coach