Backlinks are one of the most important elements to a webpage in determining its SEO rankings. But what are backlinks, exactly? And why are they so important when it comes to search engine optimization?
Backlinks Definition
A backlink is any hyperlink on a webpage that leads to a different website. Other names for them include “inbound links,” “external links,” or “incoming links.” However, they differ from internal links, which are hyperlinks on a webpage that lead to a different page on the same website.
Companies can use backlinks for a variety of reasons on a webpage. In addition, businesses can use them to provide broader context, cite a source, make a product recommendation, or authenticate a claim.
Backlink Importance
The reason why backlinks are so crucial to SEO has to do with the reasons businesses use them. Search engines like Google specifically rank pages based on their link popularity. That is, pages with frequent backlinks rate higher in search engine queries.
It’s essential to implement links because they indicate that the page has authority over the topic. A page that is featured in hundreds or thousands of backlinks on other websites across the internet is likely trusted by content authors and users alike.
Search engine algorithms are able to track how often pages link in external sources. This metric carries more weight than other SEO factors. Thus, the more links to your webpage there are on external sites, the better.
SEO Backlink Opportunities
Unlocking SEO backlink opportunities organically can be a challenge for new businesses. However, it is possible to earn natural backlinks through effective marketing strategies. For instance, offering free product trials to bloggers, content creators, and influencers is a strategy used by many businesses. Other approaches can be used to help establish a stronger linking presence online for different companies.
