We often talk about the popularity of content _thousands of websites are competing with each other for getting ranked on the 1st page of the search engine. The dozens of factors are considered for the ranking. Among these ranking factors “backlinks” is one of the most important factors which could be termed as a vote of confidence.
This is basically an authority or trust from another website that is shown to Google. Many website owners and marketers recognize the importance of link building to some extent. Here we are going to explore the real importance of backlinks.
What is “Backlink”?
A backlink is also known as an “inbound” link which is created from one website for the other. When a website published some content and gives the link to another website in its content, then it is called a backlink for another website.
It means that website A is referring to website B for more information and authentication. For example, an automotive blog link to the website which is actually selling cars parts, the latter one is getting a vote of confidence.
“Importance of Backlinks”
Backlinks are important for search engine optimization to signal Google that another website finds your content valuable. It is an important Google ranking factor. If you want to get more traffic on your site then backlinks are very significant.
Search engines count backlinks when website X links to website Y. The more you have backlinks; the more will be your site’s worth. To sum up, if your site has more backlinks the search engine will reward you with a high ranking.
In other words, we can say that backlinks are very important for your site’s visibility and higher ranking.
Advantages of Backlinks
A backlink is much advantageous for your site. Here we will discuss some advantages of backlinks one by one.
Improves your ranking
When search engines start to rank your website in higher SERP, it means your site is being considered as an authority. Never forget, Google rank only those websites on top that users visit often to search for some valuable content.
Google will take your site as a credible source of information if you have multiple backlinks from a high-quality website. Your content is your power, compete with power.
Tip: Note that quality backlinks are important for the site but gaining more and more backlinks could be deceptive. It will get traffic for a short time and ultimately you will lose your ranking and indexing.
Raise brand awareness
If you need to create awareness about your brand then backlinks are perfect for this. Here backlinks will benefit you duel, one of website ranking and the other of brand awareness. When different websites link to your site it means that the reader will get what you are offering.
For example, if you are running a business of automobiles then websites related to automobiles will link to your website in their content. An automobile user will read content on auto-blog and ultimately reach your site which will help you to boost your ranking and increase brand awareness.
Enhance referral traffic
When a visitor comes from another website to your site by clicking the link, you get referral traffic. Google analytics takes it as referral traffic that comes by click. These visitors help you to reduce bounce rate because they come to find more content that will be provided by your site.
Position your business
If you have more links from other websites they will help you to position your business as an authority. You will become an authority on a specific service, brand, topic, content, or any other subject. Google takes backlinks as a factor to know about your website’s niche.
If you have many backlinks then it will be easier for Google to know about your business/category.
Relationship b/w websites
When you link other websites or get connections from other websites it develops trust among users. As it shows that the other websites trust your content, that’s why they are referring to your site.
But always remember that “link exchange” is not a good way to build a relationship. It will give you benefit for a short time and eventually harm your site in long term.
Types of backlinks
There are different types of backlinks that are based on their source and SEO strategies.
1. Natural links
Natural links are those which are given by other websites without any involvement of the website owner. For example, if you have a blog and are writing on a specific topic like “marketing strategies” and the other related websites find valuable content on your site. Now that website links to your site.
These types of links are earned in a natural way. You can get more and more natural backlinks if you provide high-quality content consistently.
2. Manual links
These links are created by different activities. For example, someone is writing about “top 10 advanced SEO techniques” and you have good content to add to that. You will request the owner to add your content in that and in return you will get a backlink.
This is called a manual link. The most useful method to gain manual links is a guest blogging service.
3. Self-created links
The links which are created by site managers manually to blog comments, forums, or website directories are called self-created links and tend your site towards “black hat SEO”. The links are termed “no-follow” links.
These links have a negative impact on your site but remember that if you have no-follow the link through white hat SEO then it may be useful.
Which backlinks are valuable?
Backlinks are valuable for your site but it should be noted that all links are not valuable. Some links are advantageous to earn but the others should be avoided where possible.
Do-Follow vs No-Follow Links
The main difference between dofollow and nofollow links is the passage of link juice (authority). These types of links are based on the authority passage when a website links to the site. It is up to the owner whether he passes the authority (link juice) to the site or not. A no-follow link does not allow passing the authority while a do-follow does.
No doubt everyone desires to get a do-follow link because it is more useful but no-follow links are also beneficial for your site. Some people called it “link juice”. In local SEO strategy, both links are valuable.
Link from an authoritative domain
Google values your backlinks if they are from high-authority websites. Link from low authority domains is not valued much. Always avoid these types of links which are from a low authority, new or spammy websites.
Relevancy of link
Search engines have algorithms to check whether a link is relevant or not. Let’s suppose your website is about health and you are getting backlinks from car remapping websites. Google will not pass link juice because it will be considered an irrelevant link. Instead, if you are getting links from pharma, nutrition, or medical website, it will be relevant.
Link location
The location of a link does matter greatly for SEO. The link should be placed on the relevant page. If your link is not located on a relevant post or blog then it will not be useful. Make sure that your backlink is on a relevant post related to your site.
Link number
Link number means that a link from that page where already hundreds of links are available. It will not be as valuable as if there is a single link on-page. If there are many links available then chances of getting traffic to your site will be minimized.
Anchor text
It is a text which displays a hyperlink in the content. It is underlined or uniquely colored text. Your anchor text should be SEO-friendly. Use a simple, relevant, and catchy word or phrase to use as anchor text instead of using generic names like “click here”. Your anchor text should reflect what the user is going to read or watch e.g Top 10 digital marketing strategies.
