What are Backlinks in SEO? (Unveiling their Importance)

A backlink is a type of link present on another page and leads back to your website. It’s a crucial aspect of SEO that drives growth through factors like domain authority and organic traffic.

For example, Techjury.net has a backlink from Microsoft. The referring site in this example is Microsoft, which placed the external link on its page. The link is directed to a target site, Techjury.net, which receives the backlink.

The right backlinks will generate a higher website ranking in search engines since page rank is determined by high-quality backlinks. However, acquiring and analyzing backlinks is challenging.

Keep reading and learn what backlinks are. This article will also tackle the challenges of link building and help you overcome them.

What Are Backlinks and Why Are They Important to Achieve Optimal SEO Rankings?

SEO experts consider backlink acquisition as one of the most challenging aspects of search engine optimization. Therefore, many website owners find mastering backlinks involves trial and error.

Backlinking strategies evolve over time, with dynamic rules shaping the process. SEO experts used to approach backlinking in a “the more, the merrier” manner where websites spam links on a page to gain higher SEO rankings.

Then, Google released the Penguin update in 2012. This update flagged the websites with spammy backlinks. Thus began the need to search and acquire high-quality backlinks in natural-looking ways.

There are several ways to acquire backlinks. However, only a few are worthy in Google’s eyes and will potentially generate beneficial results:

• Cold emailing
• Guest blogging
• Create link magnets
• Broken Link Building
• Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Using these strategies to acquire high-quality backlinks is key to a successful link building effort. In turn, you will experience the following SEO advantages of link building:

While backlink acquisition is crucial, mastering other key aspects is equally important. You must know all the factors involved to ensure a successful backlinking effort.

Read on to learn more about what are backlinks and how to master them through the following critical factors.

What Types of Backlinks Matter the Most in SEO?

The goal is to acquire backlinks with the most SEO ranking potential. However, not all backlinks are valuable. Additionally, high-quality backlinks can vary.

These elements pose more challenges in dealing with effectual backlinks, which begs the question of what types of backlinks matter the most in SEO.

To answer, the most important aspects that the industry often zoom in on are:

The goal is to acquire backlinks with the most SEO ranking potential. However, not all backlinks are valuable. Additionally, high-quality backlinks can vary.

These elements pose more challenges in dealing with effectual backlinks, which begs the question of what types of backlinks matter the most in SEO.

To answer, the most important aspects that the industry often zoom in on are:

The Backlink Must Have a “dofollow” Attribute

Links have a specific attribute that allows the referring site to pass link equity (a form of SEO power) to its target site. This attribute is called “dofollow.”

Example dofollow link

<a href=”https://example.com”>Example Website</a>

The opposite of this attribute is “nofollow.” Google introduced this attribute to reduce comment spam.

With nofollow, websites can link to a page but not imply any endorsement. Thus, passing along ranking credit is not advocated.

Example nofollow link

<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Example Website</a>

Compared to a dofollow link, a nofollow backlink has a “-rel” attribute next to “nofollow.”

Since the purpose of a backlink is to receive a vote of confidence from another website, you have to make that vote count.

Therefore, the backlink to your website must have a dofollow attribute to ensure search engines see it as valuable.

The Backlink Must Include a Variation of your Target Keyword on the Anchor Text

Search engines prioritize value when it comes to backlinking.

One way to signal to SEs that you’re providing value is to use a variation of your target keyword on the anchor text.

Don’t just use the main keyword itself as the anchor text. Better make a close variation of it and make the anchor text as contextual as possible.

The keyword variation ensures you appear on the search engine while providing context guarantees your content will look valuable. Otherwise, the search engine might identify your backlinks as part of over-optimization.

A Backlink Must Come From Unique Referring Sites

Obtaining a backlink from another website is awesome. However, if a website keeps linking to your site, there’s a chance that the second, third, and fourth links won’t matter as much as the first one. Receiving repeated backlinks from one referring site could also be flagged as spam.

Your backlinks must come from various referring sites. The variety tells the search engine that your page is valuable enough to be appreciated by different sites.

A Backlink’s Placement is Crucial

Valuable backlinks appear within the main content of the page. This highly visible position provides the backlink with editorial value, which is crucial in search engine ranking.

The backlink becomes less valuable if it is placed in the page footer or sidebar.

The Ultimate Strategies on How to Create Backlinks for SEO

There are countless ways to acquire and sustain backlinks, but only a few of them are valuable.

To maximize your backlinking strategies, here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Create Link Magnets

This strategy refers to creating content that will act as link magnets. Some examples are:

• Listicles
• Directories
• Blog comments
• Statistics pages
• Social media comment sections and profiles

Moreover, ensure that your backlink appears in the main component of the content (i.e., not in the footer or side bar) to achieve optimal SEO results.

Cold Emailing

Outreach is the most natural way to acquire a backlink. It’s also the hardest method since you have to “earn” the backlink.

It involves cold emailing other website owners or editors to request backlinks for your site.

Outreach also helps in building relationships with webmasters and influencers.

In the long run, you might need less outreach since you have already established your website with fellow webmasters.

Guest Blogging

A tried and tested way to achieve high-quality backlinks is to write and publish articles on other websites.

The guest post article will contain a backlink to your website, helping boost its organic traffic and visibility.

Help A Reporter Out

HARO is a platform for journalists and experts or sources.

The journalist will post information requests regarding the article, while the source will provide their expert opinions on the topic.

This feature benefits both the journalist and the expert through exposure.

More importantly, the page gains credibility thanks to the expert’s insights.

Broken Link Building

This tactic refers to finding a relevant page with a broken backlink (i.e., link to a 404 page) that you can replace with a backlink that goes to your working and updated page.

Start Building High-Quality Backlinks With LinkBuilding.Pro

Now that you learned all about mastering backlinks in SEO, you’re equipped to start a healthy backlinking effort.

LinkBuilding.Pro can help ease you into this venture with the following innovative link building process:

1. Analyzing your website’s goals and needs: LinkingBuilding.Pro analyzes your website’s objectives and needs. By understanding your website’s current state, we create a tailor-made strategy for your backlinking success.
2. Creating linkable assets for your website: Following our advice on creating link magnets, LinkBuilding.Pro will produce high-quality and linkable assets crafted specifically for your website needs.
3. Targeted outreach: LinkBuilding.Pro will spearhead targeted outreach and strategic partnerships to help your page become an irresistible and reputable backlink powerhouse.
4. Long-lasting success: Experience a consistent gain of top-notch links to enhance your website’s credibility, attract valuable visitors, and increase your online presence.

With the tools and expertise of LinkBuilding.Pro, your website will drive higher organic traffic, domain rating, and website visibility.