A Short Guide to the Importance of Backlinks

 

How did Google come to dominate the Internet?

Backlinks.

Well, OK, it’s more complicated than that. But way back in the 1990s, Google was one of the first to recognize the importance of backlinks. Their algorithm, PageRank, evaluated a webpage’s ranking based in part on the number of other websites linking back to that page. Those links were what indicated that a page was a trustworthy source of information.

The concept was revolutionary, and it propelled Google to become by far the most popular search engine in the world, with no signs of slowing down. Today, over 90% of desktop searches are done on Google.

Backlinks are still essential in getting a webpage to rank well. There’s a lot of misinformation about them (how they’re dangerous, how you’ll be penalized, etc.). But if you build them using legitimate means, they can help you immensely, demonstrating your credibility and pushing your web rankings toward the top.

LinkNow’s here to set the record the straight on backlinks: what they are, why they’re important, and how you obtain them.

What Are Backlinks?

Backlinks are simple. They’re links from one website to another, like a hyperlink. When you have a backlink, it means that there is a webpage out there that links back to your site.

Consider a backlink like a referral: someone has shared your content because they think it is a credible source of information. It shows that your website has value.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

Google’s algorithm is based on three principles: Expertise, Authority, and Trust (or E-A-T for short). When someone enters a search, Google lists the results starting with those that it thinks have the most expertise, authority, and trust.

According to Google, backlinks are one of the best ways that a website can show itself as a trustworthy and authoritative source of information. While Google doesn’t publish the full details of how its search algorithm works, the company’s Search Quality Senior Strategist, Andrew Lipattsev, has recently stated that backlinks (along with content) are one of the two most important factors for a webpage’s rankings.

All other things being equal, backlinks will make or break a website’s online ranking. They’re just that important.

How Do I Get Backlinks for My Website?

Link building is the process of getting backlinks for a website. Initially, it was as simple as buying listings from web directories that would link back to your website. In recent years, however, Google has moved to penalize such practices, considering them an attempt to “game” their algorithm with “over-optimization.”

Nowadays, effective link building isn’t just about getting any random backlink to your website. A backlink from a plumber in China won’t do you any good if you’re a pizza shop in Brooklyn.

Instead, what matters is getting quality backlinks. The best backlinks come from sites that:

  1. Possess a lot of authority
  2. Are relevant to your website

So, while a backlink from that plumber may not get you much online credibility, a backlink from, say, The Food Network sure will. The higher up the food chain you go, the better your backlink will be. The better your backlinks, the higher your authority. And the higher your authority, the better you’ll rank on Google search!

If you’re looking to set up your own link building campaign, a good starting point is to create a roundup post, where you compile the opinions of different experts on a given topic.

You can then ask those experts to share your post on their social media. They get traffic from your post, and you get links from them to your site. It’s a win-win.

How Can LinkNow Media Help Me Get Backlinks?

Thanks to our network of industry-specific contacts, we at LinkNow Media are able to get you the high-authority backlinks you need to improve your site’s rankings. Our approach is based on trust and credibility, focused on highlighting the strengths of your website and showcasing it to others who would be interested in sharing your unique content.

If you’re looking to kick your online marketing up a notch, contact us today!

Want to get more backlinks for your website? Click here to book a call with your account executive and find out how quality backlinks can improve your business!

Aubrey Grant

Author: Aubrey Grant

About Aubrey Grant

Aubrey is a copy writer and Head of Content at LinkNow Media. An expert content marketer, he is obsessed with developing strategic solutions that emphasize elegance and simplicity. Although generally mild mannered, he has been known to fly into rages at the sight of a semicolon.