are website backlinks still important for search ranking?
Ksenia Sobchak, 7th February 2023
Are website backlinks still important for search ranking?
Website backlinks, also known as inbound links or incoming links, are still an important factor in determining a website's search engine ranking. These links are created when one website links to another, and they act as a "vote of confidence" for the linked-to website. The more high-quality, relevant websites that link to a website, the more likely it is to rank well in search results.
However, the way that search engines use backlinks to determine a website's ranking has evolved over time. In the past, search engines placed a heavy emphasis on the quantity of backlinks a website had. This led to a practice known as "link building," in which website owners would try to acquire as many backlinks as possible, regardless of their relevance or quality.
Today, search engines place a greater emphasis on the quality of backlinks rather than the quantity. This means that a single high-quality backlink from a relevant, authoritative website is worth more than many low-quality backlinks from irrelevant or low-authority websites.
To get high-quality backlinks, the focus should be on creating valuable, informative content that other websites would want to link to. Some strategies for acquiring high-quality backlinks include:
1. guest blogging on relevant websites
2. creating infographics, videos, or multimedia embedded on other websites
3. creating a resource or tool that other websites would want to link to
4. reaching out to other websites and asking them to link to your content
It's important to note that not all backlinks are created equal. A backlink from a highly-authoritative website, such as a government website or a university website, will carry more weight than a backlink from a low-authority website. Search engines also use a variety of other factors to determine a website's search engine ranking, such as the relevance of the website's content to the search query, the website's on-page optimization, and the website's overall user experience.
It's also important to keep in mind that not all backlinks are good. Some links can be harmful to your website's ranking, and these are called "bad links." These include links from spammy or low-quality websites, links from websites that have been penalized by search engines, and links that are acquired through link buying or link farms. These types of links can harm your website's ranking, so it's important to identify and remove them.
conclusion:
In conclusion, backlinks are still an important factor in determining a website's search engine ranking. However, the emphasis is on the quality of backlinks, not the quantity. Creating valuable, informative content and reaching out to other website owners are some of the best ways to acquire high-quality backlinks. Always keep in mind that backlinks from authoritative websites are more valuable than those from low-authority websites. And avoid links that can harm your website's ranking.
Nataly Komova, fitness and nutritionist expert
Human Nutrition & Health, BSc Hons. Company: JustCBD.