Firstly, it is very important to be clear what a backlink is. Also known as inbound links or external links—refer to links on one website pointing to another website and are valuable for SEO purposes. Let’s learn why are backlinks important in SEO.
Backlinks in SEO
Backlinks are one of the most important components of SEO. Obtaining authoritative backlinks is one of the most important facts that Google considers for ranking content. Backlinks are good for your search visibility and ranking.
These backlinks help your website rank better and are critical for every SEO campaign. In fact, they are also key for SEO because they represent a confidence vote from one website to another. In other words, to have more backlinks in your website will help search engines see that users support your content. This is something extremely positive because when search engines see this, they will start ranking your website higher.
Here some of the most important types of backlinks
Not all backlinks are the same. Let’s see all the different types of backlinks that you can include in your website:
1. No-Follow links:
No-follow links are links with a rel=”nofollow” HTML tag applied to them. The no-follow tag tells google search engines to ignore that link. That is to say, no-follow links do not apply to PageRank they are not supposed to impact search engine rankings. And if a link doesn’t send PageRank, it’s not going to help your Google search rankings.
A no-follow link looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.domain.com/” rel=”nofollow”>this is a nofollow link</a>
As a user, it’s impossible to tell the difference between a no-follow and do-follow link. You can click on a link and use a no-follow link like any other link on the web.
However, when it comes to SEO purposes, there is a big difference between no-follow and do-follow links.
Hence, most no follow links usually are included in the following content sources:
- Blog comments
- Most of blogs and sponsored posts in editorial sites
- Social media posts
- Links in press releases
2. Do-Follow links:
Do-follow links do pass trust (PageRank) and do not add the no-follow attribute. These links contribute directly to the site’s domain and page authorities. These are the type of links that will help your page rank higher.
A do-follow link looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.domain.com/”>this is a follow link</a>
3. Sponsored or paid links:
Many times businesses or brands pay an influencer or a third party to promote your content or to share a post or review of your services and products. Thus, if you have paid money or given some of your products or services in a way of “payment”, then a rel=”sponsored” attribute should be added to inform Google.
A sponsored backlink looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.example.com/” rel=”sponsored”>this is a sponsored link</a>
4. UGC links:
UGC links are added to all content generated by users, like in blog comments or forum posts. This attribute informs Google that the link has been added by a user and not the webmaster.
A UGC backlink looks like this:
<a href=”https://www.example.com/” rel=”ugc”>this is a UGC link</a>
5. Editorially Placed links:
An editorial link is a one-way link that isn’t requested or paid by you. This type of link comes from publishing valuable content that people find trustworthy and takes your brand to a broader audience. That is why, Editorial links are effective because they come from authoritative sites that have high authority and traffic metrics.
Google highly merits these types of links. This is because they are meant to improve user’s experience rather than control search engine algorithms.
6. High Authority links:
No matter what type of backlink you are considering using, it is very important to always verify the quality of the backlink. With a backlink Audit tool you can confirm how many backlink the site has, referring domains to that backlinks, the toxicity of those links, etc. You must try to get authority links on your site.
7. Toxic Links:
You can also use the Backlink Audit tool to double check your backlinks and identify potential toxic or unnatural links.
Toxic backlinks, which usually come from low-quality or suspicious websites, directly violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. An example could be paid links that are not labeled with no-follow or sponsored attributes.
Backlink management advantages
1. Improves organic rankings:
At first, remember that Google prioritizes websites that users visit often about topics they search frequently. That said, if you have multiple quality backlinks, Google assumes your site is a credible and valuable source of information around those specific topics.
2. Raises brand awareness:
Secondly, when websites link to you, it is because they feel their readers are really interested in what your website offers. Getting quality backlinks also means that people on reliable websites are recommending your site and brand to their readers, and this is a sign that your site has a high reputation and is perceived as a trustworthy site.
3. Boost your website Google authority:
Then, when more websites link back to you, they position your business as an authority on a determined service, topic, subject, etc. Remember that Google needs to know more about your business, what it is for, what information it shares and promotes, etc.
4. Enhance trust and reliability
When you link to other high authority websites, people see it as a connection you have with the other site, and it develops more trust and reliability as the user thinks that if you have a connection with these other high ranked websites, it is because you are as reliable and trustworthy as the other ones.
5. Backlinks usually attract more backlinks:
Eventually in a mid or long term, if you already have some quality backlinks on high ranked sites, definitely you will have some users that will mention you and link you, even without asking you.
To sum up, backlinks are a powerful point of Google’s algorithm when ranking your website. It is important to work on a SEO strategy to obtain backlinks from high ranked sites that will help you boost your google authority ranking and reputation.
If you are interested in starting working on your backlink portfolio for your site we can help with the seo backlink service that you need for the financial markets.
