Backlinks: What Are They And Why Should You Care?

In the digital world, the term "backlinks" is often thrown around in hushed whispers, touted as a mystical key to achieving SEO success. However, not everyone truly understands what backlinks in SEO are or comprehends their impact on their digital presence. That's where we come in.

Our aim in this blog post is to shed light on this elusive term, breaking down its complexities into simple nuggets of information. By the time you finish reading this quick backlink guide, we hope that the fog of confusion surrounding backlinks lifts, and in its place, you find a clear pathway leading to SEO effectiveness and success. So, let's embark on this journey together, delving deep into the world of backlinks and their pivotal role in SEO.

What are Backlinks?

Simply put, backlinks are like references or citations in the digital world. It's like when you're writing a research paper and you mention a source. On the internet, a backlink is when one website links to a page on another website. So, when website A links to website B, we call it a backlink from website A to website B. Backlinks can show up in different places like blog posts, website footers, forums, or even social media (here's an example of a backlink for you!). They're the building blocks that connect all the websites on the web, making it a big, interconnected digital ecosystem.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

Backlinks in SEO are crucial for several reasons, and understanding these can significantly enhance your website's visibility and success. Firstly, backlinks, especially from reputable and relevant sites, signal to search engines that your website is a credible and authoritative source of information. This recognition can drastically improve your website's ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), making your site more visible to potential visitors or customers.

Secondly, backlinks are like pathways leading traffic directly to your website. When a user clicks on a backlink, they're immediately brought to your page, increasing the likelihood of them engaging with your content or making a transaction on your site. In essence, backlinks can act as free advertisements and organic traffic generators for your site, growing your audience and potential customer base.

Lastly, backlinks enhance user experience by providing additional resources and references. They enrich your content and establish your website as a hub of useful information. This not only fosters trust with your audience but also encourages them to return to your site, further boosting your SEO. To put it simply, acquiring quality backlinks is akin to having a good word put in for you—it bolsters your website’s reputation, drives traffic, and ultimately, boosts your SEO performance.

Types of Backlinks

There are various types of backlinks in the SEO world, each carrying different weights and implications for your website's visibility and ranking. Knowing the distinctions between these types is crucial for an effective SEO strategy.

It's important to note that not all backlinks are created equal. There are two major categories of backlinks that everyone should be acquainted with: Dofollow and Nofollow backlinks. These categories are fundamentally different and understanding their unique characteristics and impacts on your website's SEO is essential.

Dofollow Backlinks

Dofollow backlinks are like the golden ticket of SEO backlinks—they pass on link equity or "link juice" from the referring website to your own. This means that search engines consider dofollow backlinks as nods of approval from other domains, which can significantly boost your website's search rankings. They are essentially votes of credibility and authority, signalling to search engines that the linked content is reliable, relevant, and useful.

However, the quality of dofollow backlinks is paramount. A dofollow backlink from a reputable, high-authority website is far more beneficial than several from low-quality sites. These are the backlinks to aim for to make your SEO shine.

Nofollow Backlinks

Nofollow backlinks, on the other hand, are quite different. These types of backlinks do not pass on any "link juice" or SEO value from the referring website to yours. Introduced by Google in 2005, the purpose of a nofollow backlink is to tell search engines not to follow the link and consider it when determining rankings. This may sound less beneficial compared to dofollow backlinks, but nofollow backlinks still have their place in a well-rounded SEO strategy. They can help diversify your backlink profile, which can make it appear more natural to search engines, and they can still drive referral traffic to your website. Therefore, nofollow backlinks in SEO should not be overlooked or undervalued.

How to Get Backlinks to Your Site

Getting backlinks to your website might seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategy and persistence, it is entirely achievable. Here are some straightforward steps to kickstart your backlink journey:

1. Create High-Quality Content: First and foremost, your website should offer valuable, original content that others genuinely want to link to. This could be insightful blog posts, unique research, engaging videos, or useful tools.

2. Guest Blogging: Guest blogging on reputable websites in your industry is a fantastic way to acquire backlinks. You contribute a post to their blog, and in return, you get to include a backlink to your site.

3. Broken Link Building: This strategy involves finding broken links on other websites, suggesting your relevant content as a replacement. It's a win-win situation—the website fixes a broken link, and you earn a backlink.

4. Skyscraper Technique: Invented by Brian Dean, this technique involves finding a popular, link-worthy piece of content, creating something even better, and then reaching out to the right people. It's about improving upon what already works and asking for backlinks in a polite, professional manner.

Sounds intriguing, right? Watch a video to learn more about the skyscraper technique:

5. Social Media Promotion: Promoting your content on social media platforms can increase its visibility, thereby increasing the chances of getting backlinks.

Remember, patience is key in link building. It's a long-term process, and the results might not be immediate. However, by consistently applying these techniques, your website's SEO can significantly improve over time.

Your Backlink Guide: Conclusion

In conclusion, backlinks are a key element of an effective SEO strategy. They are essentially 'votes of confidence' from one website to another, signifying its relevance and quality. By consistently following best practices and improving the quality of your content over time, you can ensure your website reaps the benefits of quality SEO backlinks.

We get it, managing all of these things can feel overwhelming. That's why our team at Team Empathy, an ethical SEO company in Auckland, is here to help. We're experts in creating personalised backlink strategies that follow SEO best practices, so your website gets the attention it deserves. Get in touch with us today and let's start your SEO backlink journey together!