What Are Backlinks in SEO & How Do I Get Them
- Gagan Singh
- 11:00 AM
- 1.1K
The backlinks form the basis of any good SEO strategy. Whether you want to improve your positions and increase the flow of organic traffic, the knowledge about backlinks is not a matter of choice.
This guide will be divided into all you need to know about backlinks and ways of acquiring high-quality backlinks that can make a difference.
Table of Contents
1.What Are Backlinks?
2.Why Are Backlinks Important in SEO?
3.What Affects the Value of a Backlink in SEO?
4.5 Ways to Build Valuable Backlinks for SEO
5.Keep Track of Your Link Building Efforts
6.Subscribe to Learn More
What Are Backlinks?
Backlinks, also called inbound or incoming links, are links from one website to another. In SEO, a backlink to your website is a signal to search engines that others vouch for your content.
Example: If a blog links to your course page at Sikho Digital Marketing Institute, that’s a backlink. The more quality backlinks you have, the more credible your site appears to Google.
Why Are Backlinks Important in SEO?
Backlinks are a major Google ranking factor. They help improve your website’s authority, visibility, and credibility.
Sites with strong backlink profiles tend to rank higher in search results because they’re considered more valuable. According to a Semrush study, the number of referring domains directly correlates with Google rankings.
Fact: Pages in the top Google results typically have 3.8x more backlinks than those in lower positions.
What Affects the Value of a Backlink in SEO?
Not all backlinks are equal. The value of a backlink depends on several key factors:
Follow Status
There are two types of backlinks: follow and nofollow.
- Follow links to pass SEO value (link juice) and improve your rankings.
- Nofollow links tell search engines to ignore the link.
Tip: Prioritise follow links for SEO, but don’t completely ignore nofollow—they can still drive traffic.
Domain and Page Authority
Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) are scores that predict how well a website or a page will rank.
- High DA/PA sites, like Forbes or Semrush, provide more valuable backlinks.
- Low authority sites offer less SEO impact.
Example: A backlink from Moz.com (DA 90+) carries far more weight than one from a new blog.
Topical Relevance
Google favours backlinks from websites that are contextually related to yours.
Example: A backlink from a digital marketing blog to a marketing institute website is more valuable than one from a pet blog.
Pro Tip: Always aim for backlinks from sites in your niche.
The Likelihood of the Link Being Clicked
Backlinks that are more likely to be clicked may pass more SEO value. Google’s reasonable surfer model suggests that not all links are treated equally—links placed in prominent positions and engaging content tend to carry more weight.
Key Factors:
- Placement: Links in the main content (especially higher up) matter more than those in footers.
- Content Quality: High-quality, relevant content encourages more clicks.
- Link Density: Fewer total links on a page increase the chance of your link being clicked.
Example: It’s better to be the top product in a “Best Gifts” guide than the 90th item in a long list.
Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. It tells search engines what the linked page is about.
Best Practice: Use descriptive, keyword-rich anchor text like “SEO course in Delhi” instead of “click here.”
Warning: Overusing exact-match anchors can lead to penalties—keep it natural and varied.
Link Schemes
Link schemes are manipulative tactics used to gain SEO advantages through spammy or unnatural backlinks. Google is quick to detect and penalise such practices.
Avoid These Common Link Scheme Tactics:
- Buying or selling follow links
- Excessive link exchanges (“you link to me, I’ll link to you”)
- Automated backlink tools
- Low-quality directories and comment spam
- Publishing thin content just for links
If you’ve used these in the past, use Semrush’s Backlink Audit Tool to detect and remove toxic links before they hurt your rankings.
5 Ways to Build Valuable Backlinks for SEO
Backlinks must be earned, not bought. Here are five proven ways to build strong, white-hat backlinks:
1. Create Useful Resources
Create in-depth guides, infographics, tools, or checklists that others want to reference.
Example: If you publish a free “SEO Audit Checklist” tailored for small business websites, SEO professionals and marketing bloggers are more likely to reference it in their content.
Pro Tip: Make your resources visually appealing and easy to understand. Use clear formatting, step-by-step instructions, and include downloadable versions to increase shareability.
2. Try Broken Link Building
Broken link building involves finding dead links on relevant websites and offering your content as a replacement.
How to Do It:
Use tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, or Check My Links to find broken links on niche-related blogs. Then, create or match content that fits and reach out to the site owner, suggesting your link.
Why It Works: You’re helping improve their site while earning a quality backlink in return.
Pro Tip: Focus on high-authority websites in your industry for the best SEO impact.
3. Answer Relevant Media Requests
Journalists and bloggers are often looking for expert input. You can get backlinks by answering their questions.
Platforms: HARO (Help A Reporter Out), SourceBottle, Terkel.
Example: Responding to a journalist’s request about SEO trends can earn you a link in a top publication.
4. Replicate Your Competitors’ Backlinks
Find out where your competitors are getting their backlinks—and aim for the same sites.
Use tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to scan their backlink profiles. Then, create better or updated content on similar topics and reach out to those websites with your version.
Example: If a blog links to a competitor’s SEO guide, offer your improved version for consideration.
This method helps you earn trusted links by targeting proven sources.
5. Capitalise on Business Relationships
Use your professional network to build backlinks easily. Clients, partners, and vendors who already trust you are often open to linking back to your site, especially if there’s mutual benefit.
Tips to Leverage Relationships for Backlinks:
- Ask clients or vendors to feature your link on their “Partners” or “Trusted Providers” page.
- Offer a testimonial or case study in return for a backlink.
- Write a guest blog or contribute content to their site.
- Look for mentions of your brand and request a link if one isn’t already included.
These links are often highly relevant, trusted, and natural, making them great for SEO.
Keep Track of Your Link Building Efforts
Monitoring your backlink profile helps you measure success and spot spammy links.
Best Tools:
- Google Search Console – A Free tool to see who links to your site.
- Semrush – Detailed backlink analytics, toxic link alerts.
- Ahrefs – Tracks new/lost backlinks and domain ratings.
Action Tip: Set monthly goals for backlink acquisition and use these tools to track performance.
Ready to Master Link Building?
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