Why are Backlinks Important for SEO? Explained!

We live in a digital era where all information and business activities have a central place on the internet. Amid this information distribution is SEO, or Search Engine Optimization which is the key to making your website visible to the world.

To rank high in search engines is every entrepreneur’s dream to increase their traffic and reach their target group. But being successful with SEO is a solid job that requires work in several different areas. One of the most important areas in this work is link building.

Why are links so incredibly important when it comes to SEO? That is exactly what we will explore in this article. So join us as we dive in, take a closer look at links and explain why they are the cornerstone of a successful SEO strategy. Whether you’re new to SEO or a seasoned marketer, you’ll discover valuable insights into why you should care about links and how they can propel your website to the top of search results.

What is SEO?

So, let’s start with the basics. What exactly is SEO? Well, think of the internet as a huge book with trillions of pages, and every time you search on your browser, you’re flipping through that book to find what you’re looking for. This is where SEO comes into play.

SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization, is simply the art of making your website as attractive and relevant as possible to search engines like Google. Why? When Google likes your website’s website, it will recommend it to people who are searching for information, products or services that you offer.

It’s about making your website visible and attractive to search engines in a way that makes it appear higher in the search results. The higher up you are, the more people will click on your website link when they do a search, and that can make a huge difference to your online presence and business success.

The basics of links

Let’s talk about links, something that we all come across every time we surf the internet, even if we may not think about it. What exactly are links when it comes to SEO?

Links in the context of SEO are the bridges that connect different web pages on the net. They are the underlined or colored words or phrases that you can click on to jump from one page to another. And they come in two flavors: internal and external.

Internal links are links that guide the user around to different places on your own website. They help your visitors navigate smoothly between different pages and sections of your website. Imagine you’re on a news site and click on a link that takes you to their archives – that’s an example of internal linking.

On the other hand, we have external links, which act as paths that lead you to other websites. For example, if you’re reading a blog article and they link to a study from another website to back up their claims, that’s an external link.

So, why are links so important in SEO? Links are like votes from other websites saying, “This website has something valuable to offer.” And when search engines like Google see other websites linking to yours, they interpret that as a sign that your website is trustworthy, high-quality and worth showing higher in the search results.

Why links are important in SEO

Now that we have a basic understanding of what links are, let’s dive deeper into why they are so important when it comes to SEO.

• Increased credibility and authority: Think of links as endorsements from other websites. When other websites link to yours, they indicate that your website has something valuable to offer. This builds your website’s credibility and authority in the eyes of both search engines and visitors.
• Google’s PageRank Algorithm: Google, the most widely used search engine, uses a complex algorithm known as PageRank to determine which websites should appear higher in its search results. PageRank ranks websites based on the number and quality of the links pointing to them. The more high-quality links you have, the better your chances of climbing up the rankings.
• Improved searchability and visibility: Links are like road signs on the Internet’s highways. When other websites link to yours, it increases your visibility and makes it easier for users to find you. This means that more potential visitors will click on your site link when they do relevant searches.
• Indication of quality and relevance: Search engines love to deliver the best and most relevant results to users. When other websites link to yours, it is interpreted as your website being quality-oriented and relevant to the topic. This will help you rank higher in the searches most relevant to your industry or content.
• Competitive advantages: In the tough digital arena, competition is constantly intense. By building a strong portfolio of high-quality links, you can set yourself apart from the competition and rise to the top of the industry.

Types of links

Now that we’ve clarified why links are so important in SEO, let’s take a closer look at the different types of links that exist and how they affect your website and your SEO strategy.

Natural links vs purchased links

First of all we have natural links and purchased links. Natural links are links that you have not asked for or paid for. They come spontaneously from other websites that find your content useful, interesting or relevant. Natural links signal that other people value your website.

Then we have purchased links, which as the name suggests are links that you pay to get. Many who work with SEO choose to buy links because it is the absolute fastest and easiest way to build links to a website.

Dofollow vs nofollow links

When it comes to links, we have dofollow and nofollow links. Dofollow links are those that allow search engines to follow them and transfer “link power” to the linked page. This is good for your website’s SEO as it helps increase your website’s authority.

Nofollow links, on the other hand, include a special code in HTML that tells search engines not to follow the link or transfer any “link power.” These are often used when you don’t want a link to affect your site’s ranking, such as when linking to a page with user-generated content such as comments.

Links from different domains and industries

Finally, links come in different forms and their value can vary depending on where they come from. Links from different domains ie. websites with different URLs, are valuable because they show that your website is relevant and useful in different parts of the internet. On the other hand, links from websites in your own industry can also be valuable, as they show that you are a player to be reckoned with in your specific industry.

How to build effective links

Now that we understand why links are essential in SEO and what the different types are, let’s look at how you can actually build effective links to improve your website’s ranking and visibility. Link building can be a challenge, but it is an important part of the SEO puzzle.

1. Quality over quantity: First of all, it is important to understand that it is about quality over quantity when it comes to link building. All the links you get do not have to be from the very biggest sites such as Aftonbladet or Dagens Industri, but above all you want to make sure that the links you get to your site are relevant. Invest in high-quality links from trusted sources that are relevant to your industry or topic.
2. Create high-quality content: One of the most effective ways to attract natural links is by creating high-quality and informative content that others want to link to. It could be blog articles, guides, infographics, or other types of resources that fill a need in your industry or niche. When you offer something valuable, other websites are more likely to use you as a reference. Doing this often results in organic links but many choose to supplement this with buying links to speed up the link-building process and achieve better results.
3. Guest posts and collaboration: Writing guest posts on other relevant websites or collaborating with others in your industry is a smart way to build links. By offering your expertise and sharing your knowledge, you can not only gain exposure for your website but also secure high-quality links to your content.
4. Consider the user experience: Last but not least, don’t forget the user experience. Your website should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, both for visitors and search engines. This can include using clear internal links to guide visitors and search engines through your site in a logical manner.

Measurement and analysis of link effectiveness

Now that we’ve talked about how you can build links, it’s time to find out how you can measure and analyze their effectiveness. You want to know if your link strategy is producing the results you hope for, or if there is room for improvement. Here are some ways to track and evaluate your links:

Tools to monitor links and their influence

There are several powerful tools that can help you monitor your links and their impact on your site. Google Search Console is one of the most used and gives you insights into which websites are linking to you, which pages are linking the most, and how many clicks and impressions those links are generating. Other tools like Ahrefs and Moz Link Explorer also offer in-depth analysis of your link profile.

Evaluation of link quality and traffic generation

When monitoring your links, it’s important to look at both quantity and quality. Ask yourself:

Where do the links come from? Are they from high-quality and authoritative websites in your industry?
Are the links generating traffic to your site? It is important that links are there not only for SEO but also to bring visitors to your website.

Have you seen improvements in your website’s ranking in search results? An increase in your position on Google can be a clear indication that your link strategy is working.
It is also important to be patient when evaluating link effectiveness. SEO is a long-term investment, and results can take time to show. That’s why you should use tools to track progress over time.

Conclusion

Understanding and using links properly in SEO is critical to maximizing your website’s visibility and success on the internet.

We at Toppdomäner are here to help you take your website to the next level when it comes to link building and SEO. Our team of experts has extensive experience in creating and managing successful link strategies that can do wonders for your website.

So, if you feel like you need extra help with your link building or if you have any questions about SEO in general, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are ready to work together with you to create a customized solution that will make your website more visible and successful online. Let us help you reach the top!