A backlink, or “inbound link,” is a link from one website to another. Imagine you wrote an article that someone else found useful, and they linked to it from their own website. That link is a “backlink” for your site. In SEO, backlinks are like votes of confidence. When other websites link to yours, it shows search engines that your content is valuable, which can help improve your ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs).
Think of it this way: if your website is getting recommended (linked to) by other trusted sites, it must mean something good. However, not all backlinks are equal. Links from respected, high-quality sites matter more than a bunch of links from unknown sites.
Why Backlinks Are Important for SEO
Backlinks are one of the main factors that search engines like Google use to decide if your site should show up in search results. If a reputable site links to you, it signals to search engines that your content might be helpful or trustworthy. The more quality links you have, the more likely you are to appear higher in the search results. But remember, quality matters more than quantity!
Types of Backlinks You Should Know
Not all backlinks are the same. Here are the key types of backlinks, and why some are more helpful than others.
- Natural Backlinks: These are links that happen without you even trying. When people link to your content because they genuinely find it useful or interesting, that’s a natural backlink. For example, if you wrote an article about “Best Plants for Small Gardens,” and a gardening blog links to it as a helpful resource, that’s a natural backlink. Natural backlinks are the best kind since they’re truly earned and help build your site’s reputation.
- Manual Backlinks: A manual backlink is one you actively work to get. It could be from reaching out to other websites and asking them to link to your content, or even through guest posting. It requires effort and sometimes partnerships, but it can help bring valuable links from reputable sites to yours.
- Editorial Backlinks: Editorial backlinks come when your content is referenced as a trustworthy source. For instance, if a journalist links to your website because you’ve done research or provided insights in a field, that’s an editorial backlink. These links show your content is credible and worth referencing, which is a great signal to search engines.
- Guest Post Backlinks: A guest post backlink comes when you write a post for another site and link back to your own. Guest posting is a good way to get your content in front of a new audience and also earn a backlink. Just make sure your guest posts are useful and add value to the reader so they don’t come off as self-promotional.
- Directory Links: Directory links are earned by listing your website in online directories. While they may not carry as much weight as other links, they’re still useful for getting the word out about your website. Just stick to reputable directories, like local business directories or industry-specific ones, to avoid low-quality links.
- Profile Links: Profile backlinks are links you add when setting up a profile on a different platform, like a forum or social media. While these don’t usually carry a lot of weight, they can add variety to your backlink profile and help people find your site.
- Comment Backlinks: Comment backlinks are links that you add when leaving comments on other blogs or articles. Although these links are often “nofollow” (meaning they don’t pass SEO value directly), they can still bring traffic to your site if you add helpful, relevant comments on high-traffic posts.
- PBN (Private Blog Network) Links: A Private Blog Network (PBN) is a set of sites owned by the same person, designed to link back to a primary site. Some website owners use PBNs to boost their main site’s SEO. While effective if used sparingly, search engines frown upon PBNs if they look too unnatural. PBN hosting, which involves spreading your PBN sites across different servers to appear unrelated, is used by some as a tactic to avoid detection. PBNs can be risky if not done right, so they’re best used carefully and in combination with natural link-building methods. You must know how to build a private blog network before building PBN backlinks.
Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links and the “rel” Attributes
Backlinks can either be dofollow or nofollow, affecting their impact on SEO.
Dofollow Links
Dofollow links are standard links that pass SEO value, often called “link juice,” from one site to another. When a site links to yours with a dofollow link, it signals trust to search engines, directly impacting your SEO. These links are essential for ranking improvements, especially when they come from authoritative sites.
Nofollow Links
Nofollow links include a small attribute in the HTML code that tells search engines not to pass SEO value. These look like this:
Nofollow links are often used in places where links could be considered spam, like blog comments or user-generated content. While they don’t directly affect your ranking, they still have value in bringing traffic and making your backlink profile look natural.
Other “rel” Link Attributes
In addition to dofollow and nofollow, there are additional rel attributes for links, depending on their purpose:
- rel=”sponsored” – Indicates paid or sponsored content links, helping to comply with Google’s guidelines.
- rel=”ugc” – Stands for User Generated Content, usually applied to links within comments or forum posts.
- Combined “rel” Attributes – Sometimes, multiple attributes are used to describe a link fully, such as a sponsored link that’s also user-generated:
Using these attributes appropriately helps ensure that your website maintains a diverse and safe link profile.
How to Get Backlinks: Simple Strategies
Creating good content and building relationships in your industry are two of the best ways to get backlinks. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Create Great Content
The most effective way to earn backlinks is to create content people want to link to. This could be an in-depth article, a how-to guide, or even an infographic. Unique and helpful content is more likely to attract links. - Guest Posting
Guest posting on reputable websites allows you to share expertise and earn a backlink. Aim for sites in your industry, and write valuable content. Avoid spammy guest posting, as it can harm your site. - Reach Out to Website Owners
Networking and outreach can go a long way. Find other websites in your niche and reach out, asking if they’d consider linking to relevant content of yours. Personalized outreach emails with specific benefits for their readers increase your chances. - Use Broken Link Building
This strategy involves finding broken links on other sites and offering your content as a replacement. Tools like Ahrefs can help you identify broken links in your niche. - Make Content Shareable
Visuals like infographics are often shared widely. If you create a shareable infographic on a popular topic, others may link back to your site. - Leverage Social Media
Social media links don’t directly impact SEO but can drive traffic. More eyes on your content mean more chances for people to link to it.
Backlinks are like votes of approval for your website, playing a big role in boosting your search engine ranking. With various types of backlinks available—like natural, guest post, and directory links—it’s essential to focus on getting high-quality links from reputable sources. Understanding dofollow and nofollow links, along with the rel attributes, ensures you build a diverse and effective backlink profile.
By combining natural link-building strategies with outreach and careful use of PBNs, you can create a backlink profile that boosts your SEO. Stay consistent, avoid shortcuts, and prioritize quality for lasting results.