Google is like a popularity contest, thousands upon thousands of websites battling for top positions, influenced by dozens of factors. Within the noise of competitions and a dozens of factors, backlink are a “vote of confidence” from one website to another, this is a compelling indication of value in Google’s eyes.
Many business owners or marketers with a basic comprehension of search engine optimization recognize the gravity of link building to some degree. In this article, we explore the true importance of backlinks from SEO.
Backlinks are a key part of search engine optimization (SEO). The main aim is to link between your website and others. It creates an environment where relevant people in your industry vouch for your website. By building high-quality links and relationships with others in your field, you can benefit from well-known websites in your industry, linking back to your own website.
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What is a Backlink?
Also known as “inbound” or “incoming” links, backlinks are created when one website links to another website. For example, if a London travel site (Website A) links to a blog post comparing the best real estate agent in London (Website B), the best real estate agent in London receives a vote of confidence – or backlink – from the London travel site.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Backlinks are important for SEO because they signal to Google that another resource finds your content valuable enough to link to it within their own content. As a website earns additional backlinks, search engines infer that the website possesses valuable content worth ranking well on the SERPs.
How Are Backlinks Earned?
Gaining backlinks is an essential component to off-site SEO strategy. In fact, backlinks are the most significant off-site ranking factor! Backlinks are earned in three primary ways.
Natural links
are given without any action on the part of the website owner. For example, the London Travel site illustration above would involve a natural link if the best real estate agent in London website had no role in receiving that link. One of the best ways to organically obtain natural links is by consistently creating high-quality content.
Manual links
are acquired through link earning activities. If the best real estate agent in London website reached out to the London travel site resource and requested a link, the backlink would be manual. Guest blogging for a relevant website is another strategic method to gaining a manual link. Be sure to link to your website within the content.
Self-created links
are created when a site manager manually adds a backlink into a forum, blog comment, or online directory. Be careful – while self-created links may appear to be the easiest way to gain backlinks, many of the tactics tend toward “black hat SEO,” strategies that negatively impact search engine reputation. These links are typically labeled by “no follow” tags.
Are All Backlinks Valuable?
Conclusion
The importance of backlinks for your business is very high. As they are the ‘digital thumbs up’ for your company. They send a signal to search engines that other people can vouch for your content. Hence your company provides a useful service. Furthermore, while building your backlinks, you can make valuable relationships with other people in your industry.