The Power of Backlinks: Why They Matter and How to Get More

Standing out on the internet is crucial to the success of your website or blog, but doing so is increasingly challenging.

The internet has over 1.1 billion websites, with approximately 200 million actively maintained, so you must do everything you can to improve your search engine ranking, credibility, and organic traffic. Backlinks are one of the most effective ways to boost all three metrics.

Backlinks, or inbound links, are links to other websites pointing to yours. They serve as endorsements, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.

The more backlinks you have, the better your chances of ranking higher in search engine results. This article will explore why backlinks matter and how to increase them to strengthen your website’s authority.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

Backlinks are fundamental to search engine optimization (SEO) and online credibility. Search engines like Google consider backlinks as votes of confidence. When an authoritative and established website links to your content, search algorithms see your site as a reliable source and improve your ranking accordingly, which makes it easier for users to find you.

This is true of every site, whether dedicated to video games, the latest business news, or helping users find the best sportsbook websites. High-quality backlinks can significantly improve your rankings.

In addition to helping with your search engine rankings, backlinks generate direct traffic. When a popular website links to your content, its audience may click on the link and visit your little corner of the internet. This results in new visitors, potential customers, and an expanded readership.

Backlinks also enhance a website’s authority and trustworthiness. A website with numerous reputable backlinks is perceived as more authoritative than one without. Imagine a random person on the street telling you about a new electric vehicle with a 700-mile range.

You’d probably take it with a pinch of salt. However, if a leading scientist relayed the same information, you’d likely believe them. Backlinks from authoritative sources work similarly.

Lastly, backlinks help search engines to discover your content faster. Search engine crawlers that find backlinks pointing to your sites will follow those links to index your pages.

If your site is new or has fresh content, backlinks can speed up the indexing process, ensuring your pages appear in search engine results sooner.

How to Get More Backlinks

It should be evident that you must try to obtain as many high-quality backlinks to your website as possible. Backlinks are not handed out on a whim; building a network of them requires strategic effort.

Valuable content is the foundation of any successful backlink strategy. Webmasters naturally want to link to informative, well-researched, unique articles, guides, and resources.

Content that typically attracts backlinks includes case studies, infographics, expert interviews, listicles, and anything containing in-depth research. If people find your content engaging and valuable, there is a higher chance they will share it with their followers.

Infographics and other visual content are highly shared and often cited by other websites because creating them can be time-consuming.

Other content creators discussing related topics may link to your infographic, gaining you a valuable backlink. Consider using software such as Canva or Piktochart to design compelling visuals and promote them on content-sharing platforms or social media.

Get Your Website Out There

Do not underestimate the value of guest blogging on relevant websites. It is an excellent way to earn backlinks. By contributing valuable content to an established website, you can include a link to your website within the article or author bio.

Writing guest content for sites with high domain authority and active readership achieves the best results.

You should also use social media and online communities. While social media links tend not to impact SEO directly, they can increase exposure and encourage organic backlinking. Sharing your content on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and industry forums gets it in front of a wider audience, which is typically already interested in your subject matter. Engaging in discussions and answering questions on platforms like Quora and Reddit can also lead to backlinks when users cite your expertise.

Take Advantage of and Manage Broken Links

Using tools like Ahrefs to identify broken links on industry-related sites can lead to an earned backlink. If you find a broken link on a suitable website, contact the site owner with a friendly message, point out the broken link, and recommend your content as a suitable alternative.

The website owner will be happy you have pointed out their broken link and will likely backlink to you as a thank you.

Similarly, if you already have a broken backlink from another website, let the website’s owner know and politely ask if they will reinstate it or link to an updated version of your content. Ahrefs and SEMrish are tools that can help you track broken links.

Conclusion

Backlinks are essential for improving search engine rankings, increasing organic traffic, and establishing credibility. However, it is important to remember that not all backlinks are created equal and that quality trumps quantity.

Focus on earning backlinks from authoritative, relevant sites. The results will be far better if you gain one backlink from a high-quality website than receive four or five from lesser-established content creators.

Concentrate your efforts on creating high-quality, valuable content. You should be doing this regardless of whether or not you want to receive backlinks. Such content is more likely to be naturally shared because internet users expect it.

Once you have some valuable content, reach out to the owners of established websites, particularly those within your industry, and offer to write a guest post or ask if they would be willing to link back to content that resonates with them.

Build relationships with like-minded website owners, be active on social media and forums, and watch those backlinks fly in.