What Are Backlinks and Why Do They Matter for SEO?

If you have any experience with digital marketing, you've likely heard of link building. Backlinks are crucial in deciding where your website will appear on search engine results pages (SERPs). So, if you want your business to thrive online, getting familiar with this terminology is a must. In this article, we'll explain the importance of backlinks, so keep reading and learn how link building can help your company grow.

What Are Backlinks?

Backlinks, also called inbound and incoming links, are hyperlinks that direct users from one website to another. Essentially, these links are recommendations, and the better the sites that recommend you, the more authority you'll build. Having multiple reputable sites from one niche linked to your website also signals to search engines that you provide reliable information on that topic.

Types of Backlinks

There are several common types of backlinks that contribute to increasing your authority and driving traffic to your website:

Editorial links: Once you gain recognition in your niche, editorial links will come in naturally. By posting high-quality content on your site, you'll grow into a credible source that others wish to refer to in their articles. These links are the most valuable because they don't require direct action and occur organically.

Guest post links: By writing articles for other websites, you can showcase your expertise and expose your knowledge to new audiences. This type of relationship can benefit both the writer and the host site and bring new clients to your site.

Directory links: These include sites like Yelp and Yellow Pages and can help you grow your initial visibility online. Though often forgotten, directory links also contribute to your overall backlink profile.

Social media links: Now more than ever, social media links drive traffic to your site. The main goal of these isn't to impact search rankings but to help grow your reach and potentially lead to more backlinks.

Why Are Backlinks Important for SEO?

Now that we've learnt a bit more about different types of backlinks, let's explore their SEO value in more detail. Keep reading to see what you'll gain from a high-quality backlink campaign performed by experts.

Improved Search Rankings

As we've mentioned, search engines view backlinks as endorsements. By adding backlinks, you'll be more likely to rank. But don't go for quantity only. The quality of your links is even more important than their number. So, ensure you're working with authoritative sites in your niche, as they will signal relevance and trustworthiness to Google and other search engines.

Enhanced Domain Authority

Domain authority is the metric that predicts how well your website will rank. The best way to boost your site's authority is through a high-quality backlink campaign. Multiple relevant sources pointing to your site as a leader will help establish authority online, leading to more benefits for your site. Higher domain authority will likely translate to better rankings and increased organic traffic.

Referral Traffic

Beyond SEO, backlinks drive direct traffic. When users click on a link from another site to yours, they become part of your audience, increasing engagement and potential conversions. For example, a backlink from a popular blog or forum related to your industry can bring highly targeted traffic to your website. This kind of traffic often has a higher likelihood of conversion because it's directed from a relevant source.

The Quality vs. Quantity Debate

Of course, not all backlinks are the same. And, in the case of link building, quality outweighs quantity. Consider these factors when placing links online:

Relevance: Stick to your niche to improve your perceived reliability and generate relevant traffic.

Authority: Check website authority online and aim for high-authority sites.

Anchor Text: Ensure the text you link is clickable and relevant to the page it leads to.

Natural Placement: Don't force as many backlinks as possible, but position them naturally in the content.

Conclusion

Backlinks are still a foundational part of SEO; without them, you'll have trouble establishing authority on Google. However, the days of old-school link building are behind us, and you don't have to waste time and money to find high-quality links for your niche.

Contact our team to learn more about our link-hunting approach that will help your business thrive online. Our revolutionary platform lets YOU choose the links you want, ensuring your company only works with the most relevant partners.