When you embark on your journey to understand SEO, the terms "backlinks" and "referring links" will soon become much more familiar.
Why? Because they will hold a vital place in the realm of SEO and search engine rankings, especially in the context of Google SEO in the age of AI. As their Google Search Ranking AI, "RankBrain" will only become more intelligent keywords will inevitably become less of a ruling factor for search ranking.
The general mechanism for relevance on Google would in our team's opinion be which sites are linking to you, and what is written about you in the link they published. Is it positive or negative? organic or paid? etc.
Backlinks aren't easy to come by, especially quality articles from websites that boast a large number of backlinks and therefore enjoy a heightened level of trust from Google (and other search engines like Bing), resulting in better rankings.
We must assume a modern-day RankBrain does not need keywords as much as they previously would to identify the category of your site or the subject of your article.
In this post, we will dive deep into the world of backlinks, unraveling their importance in SEO, and unveiling effective strategies to get more backlinks for your website.
What Are Backlinks?
Simply put, a backlink is a hyperlink that originates from one website and points to another. The website providing the link is known as the "outbound link," while the website receiving the link (which I like to call: the inbound link) gains a valuable backlink or referring link.
In essence, the Internet is a vast interconnected network of domains, web pages, and links. The World Wide Web thrives on these interconnections, and a backlink is born when one website deems another's content worthy of reference.
This differs from internal links, which are links that point to other pages within the same website: like this.
The ultimate backlink would be organic content linking to your article, product, or page on your website. Like my article here where I write about Google and their Search product to help you understand how it works. The irony... almost too good to be true. Could SEO be that simple? We believe it is, quality backlinks are a simple and ironic answer to all the confusion regarding SEO, get more people to write about your page or pay someone to do it (but let Google know that you cheated a little by adding a rel="sponsored" attribute) more on that in later. That reasoning is why we, at Traxr, focus on backlinks and their content and not keywords.
Why Are Backlinks Important for SEO?
Backlinks serve as a vote of confidence. Websites armed with authoritative backlinks tend to claim top positions in Google's search results. When Google's ranking algorithms assess websites, backlinks act as a potent indicator of a website's popularity. The more backlinks a website has, the higher it ranks.
The history of backlinks is intertwined with the inception of Google. In 1998, Google's founders, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin, incorporated the number of backlinks pointing to a website as a fundamental signal within their ranking algorithm.
This concept may seem straightforward, yet it remains valid today. While SEO has evolved with new factors influencing rankings, backlinks continue to be one of the most critical components of Google's ranking algorithm.
Imagine this scenario: Twenty websites publish high-quality content on the same topic. They are fast, user-friendly, and offer an excellent user experience. When a user searches for a related query on Google, which website surfaces at the top of the search results? Assuming all other factors are equal, the website with backlinks from related, authoritative sources will secure the top positions.
Moreover, backlinks facilitate the discovery and indexing of new web pages by search engine crawlers. During the crawling process, search engine bots employ these links to identify and add fresh content to their index.
Different Types of Backlinks and SEO
Not all backlinks are equal in terms of SEO value. The crucial distinction lies in whether a backlink is a "follow" link or a "nofollow" link. Follow links are highly regarded, as search engine crawlers follow them and consider them as votes of confidence from one domain to another.
By default, all links are "follow" unless they include attributes like "nofollow," "sponsored," or "UGC" in their code:
The rel="nofollow" attribute instructs search engines to disregard the link for ranking purposes.
The rel="sponsored" attribute is reserved for paid links.
The rel="ugc" attribute pertains to user-generated content, such as links in comment sections.
Good Backlinks exhibit the following characteristics:
They originate from related websites.
They are seamlessly integrated into the text.
They feature relevant anchor text.
They originate from websites with high Google trust and domain authority.
They stem from high-quality websites (good user experience and interface).
They load quickly.
Bad Backlinks, on the other hand, possess the following traits:
They are acquired through payment.
They result from link exchange schemes.
They originate from low-quality websites.
They stem from websites with minimal Google trust and domain authority.
They emanate from websites with sparse or unoriginal content.
They serve the sole purpose of manipulating Google rankings.
A website burdened with an abundance of toxic backlinks may incur a Google penalty, leading to a drop in rankings. In such cases, it's advisable to remove these detrimental links to safeguard your Google standing.
How to Check Your Website Backlinks
To assess which websites link to your own, various methods are available. The simplest options include utilizing the Google Search Console Links report and then employing a free backlink checker tool like Traxr to keep track of your ereferring links, or as we call them at Traxr: your baclkinks!
Log in to Google Search Console and select "LINKS" from the left menu.
Click the "MORE" button under "Top Linking Sites."
You can now view all the domains linking to your website. By clicking on a specific domain, you can see which pages they are linking to.
To pinpoint the exact page linking to your site, click on that page.
Simplify data processing by clicking the "EXPORT" button to download the information in Excel or Google Sheets.
Utilize a backlink checker tool like Traxr to track, recover, and scrutinize links to your website or any other site. Tools like Traxr offer user-friendly features such as distinguishing between follow and nofollow links, displaying the exact anchor text used, monitoring for link insertions, providing detailed link profile analysis, etc.
Here is an example of a backlink overview on Traxr:
These tools empower you to filter links, review your link history, assess the authority of domains linking to you, monitor for links lost, and gather other valuable insights.
How to Build Backlinks to Your Website
The process of acquiring backlinks for your site is known as "link building," a critical facet of off-page SEO. While numerous techniques exist, we'll focus on some of the most effective strategies (see our competitor comparison here):
1. Natural Link Building:
This approach involves acquiring backlinks naturally from other websites. Webmasters link to your content because they find it valuable.
High-quality content that is link-worthy includes:
Case studies
Original research
Statistical data
Eye-catching visuals
Listicles
However, even exceptional content may remain unnoticed unless you actively promote it. Utilize social media marketing to connect with bloggers, journalists, and influencers who can amplify your content's reach.
Building relationships is paramount in this process, mirroring the importance of networking in the physical world.
2. Blogger / Influencer Outreach:
Instead of relying on social media networks, use email outreach to establish connections with fellow bloggers and industry influencers.
The process entails:
Creating remarkable, informative content that others would willingly link to.
Compiling a list of websites or blogs that cover similar topics.
Identifying contact information for these bloggers.
Crafting personalized emails to introduce your work and explain why it merits linking.
Personalization is key. Generic requests for links are unlikely to yield positive results. Here's an example of an effective email outreach:
3. Broken Link Building:
This technique involves identifying broken outbound links on other websites using tools like Traxr or Semrush.
Broken links, often leading to non-existent pages (404 errors), are commonplace due to websites going offline or webmasters' link errors.
Reach out to the website owners, notifying them of these broken links, and propose that they replace them with links to your content. This not only assists them but also provides a solution in the form of your website as an alternative.
However, be prepared for the considerable time investment required to find and recover relevant broken links. We're working on tools to help you!
4. Guest Posting:
Guest posting entails creating articles for other websites within your niche and including a link to your site within the article or author bio.
The process involves:
Identifying websites related to your niche that accept guest contributions.
Send them proposals outlining your article topics and why they should accept your posts.
Incorporating a link to your website within the guest post.
Guest posting can effectively enhance your link profile, provided you target high-quality websites that allow do-follow links.
5. Analyze Your Competitors' Backlink Profiles:
Research your primary competitors' backlink profiles using a link analysis tool like Traxr.
Identify websites linking to your competitors.
Locate contact information for the website owners and approach them with tailored proposals.
While the above techniques offer a comprehensive approach to link building, it's essential to acknowledge that link building remains one of the most time-consuming and challenging aspects of SEO.
Exciting News for Link Building Enthusiasts!
Here's a sneak peek into the future: Soon, you'll have the opportunity to meet your link-building needs with Traxr! We're diligently working on a new feature that will connect those who want to sell sponsored links or write articles on their news sites and blogs for companies, organizations, and individuals seeking valuable backlinks and PR.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to simplify your search engine experience (SEE)!
Conclusion
In conclusion, backlinks are essential for SEO in the age of AI-driven search engines like Google. They act as a vote of confidence and are a key factor in determining a website's ranking. Quality backlinks from authoritative sources are crucial. Understanding the types of backlinks, such as "follow" and "nofollow," is vital. Good backlinks come from related, high-quality websites, while bad ones can lead to penalties.
To check your backlinks, use tools like Google Search Console and Traxr. Traxr is for tracking and analyzing individual backlinks, Google Search Console is for viewing referring sites.
Effective link-building strategies include natural link-building, blogger outreach, broken link-building, guest posting, and competitor analysis. These methods require effort but can improve your SEO.
Exciting news: Traxr is developing a feature to connect sellers of sponsored links and articles with those seeking backlinks and PR opportunities. If you're interested in our upcoming feature, feel free to reach out at info@traxr.net for more information. In this ever-evolving digital landscape, backlinks remain a timeless asset for SEO success. Stay informed and strategic, and trust Traxr to empower your SEO and link endeavors!