What is a good number of backlinks? It’s like finding the perfect balance between a car’s horsepower and your caffeine intake—elusive yet essential.
In this article, we’ll unveil the magic number and explore why it’s worth sipping your coffee to the last drop. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What Are Backlinks?
To put it simply, backlinks are incoming links from one website to another.
When a webpage links to another page, it is essentially vouching for its content and credibility.
Each backlink serves as a vote of confidence, signaling search engines that the linked page is reputable and worth referencing.
Backlinks can be seen as digital connections that interconnect various webpages, forming a web of relevance and authority.
They act as pathways for search engine crawlers to discover new content and determine its importance based on the quality and quantity of backlinks it receives.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Backlinks play a pivotal role in determining a website’s ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Search engines view backlinks as endorsements or recommendations from other websites, considering them as a measure of a page’s popularity, relevance, and authority.
When search engines encounter multiple backlinks pointing to a particular page, they interpret it as a signal that the page offers valuable content.
As a result, the page’s ranking in SERPs improves, leading to increased organic traffic and visibility.
What Types of Backlinks are Valuable?
Not all backlinks are created equal. To truly benefit from backlinks, you need to focus on acquiring high-quality links that possess specific traits.
Let’s explore five key traits that make backlinks valuable:
Trait #1: They Come From Trusted, Authoritative Websites
Backlinks originating from well-established and trustworthy websites carry more weight than those from dubious sources.
Search engines value the authority and reputation of the linking domain, considering it a crucial factor when assessing the value of a backlink.
Trait #2: They Include Your Target Keyword In The Link’s Anchor Text
The anchor text, the clickable text within a hyperlink, serves as a powerful relevancy signal for search engines.
When the anchor text includes your target keyword, it reinforces the connection between the linked page and the keyword topic, increasing its relevance and potential ranking for related searches.
Trait #3: The Site (and Page) Linking to You Is Topically Related To Your Site
Context matters. Backlinks from websites that are topically related to your own website carry more weight in terms of SEO.
When a website within your industry or niche links to your content, search engines perceive it as a strong indicator of relevance and expertise, further bolstering your site’s authority.
Trait #4: The Link Is a “Dofollow” Link
Dofollow links are the default type of link, allowing search engine crawlers to follow them and pass on link equity to the linked page.
These links have a direct impact on a page’s ranking potential. While nofollow links still have value in terms of referral traffic, dofollow links are the ones you should primarily focus on to enhance your SEO efforts.
Trait #5: The Link Is From a Domain That Hasn’t Linked to You Before
Diversity matters in the world of backlinks. When a new domain links to your website, it signals to search engines that your content is attracting fresh attention and recognition.
Acquiring backlinks from a wide range of unique domains is a strategy that can amplify your website’s authority and improve its search engine visibility.
What Is a Good Number of Backlinks: Finding the Balance for SEO Success
The Myth of Quantity: Quality Over Quantity
Before delving into the specifics of a good number of backlinks, it’s essential to dispel a common misconception.
Many people believe that more backlinks automatically translate to better rankings and success in SEO.
However, the truth lies in the quality, not just the quantity, of backlinks.
Search engines, such as Google, prioritize the relevance, authority, and trustworthiness of backlinks over their sheer number.
It’s far more valuable to have a few high-quality backlinks from reputable websites than a large number of low-quality backlinks.
Factors Influencing the “Good Number”
Determining a specific “good number” of backlinks can be challenging, as it depends on various factors.
Here are a few key considerations that influence what can be considered a good number of backlinks:
1. Competitiveness of the Niche
The competitiveness of your niche plays a significant role in defining a good number of backlinks.
Highly competitive industries may require a more substantial number of quality backlinks to establish authority and compete with established players.
On the other hand, less competitive niches may see positive results with fewer backlinks.
2. Website Age and Authority
The age and authority of your website are crucial factors. Newer websites typically have fewer backlinks, while established websites may naturally accumulate more over time.
Building a strong foundation of high-quality backlinks is essential for newer websites to establish credibility and compete in their niche.
3. Link Profile of Competitors
Analyzing the backlink profiles of your competitors can provide valuable insights.
By understanding the number and quality of backlinks they possess, you can gauge the competitive landscape and set realistic goals.
Aim to build a backlink profile that is on par with or surpasses your competitors’ profiles.
4. Link Building Strategy and Outreach Efforts
Your link building strategy and outreach efforts significantly impact the number of backlinks you can acquire.
If you actively engage in targeted outreach, guest posting, content promotion, and building relationships with industry influencers, you are likely to obtain a greater number of quality backlinks.
Quality Trumps Quantity: The Focus on Valuable Backlinks
Instead of fixating on a specific number, it is more important to prioritize the quality and relevance of backlinks. Aim to acquire backlinks that possess the following traits:
- They come from trusted, authoritative websites.
- They include your target keyword in the link’s anchor text.
- The linking site (and page) is topically related to your site.
- The link is a “dofollow” link, allowing search engine crawlers to follow it.
- The link is from a domain that hasn’t linked to you before, promoting diversity in your backlink profile.
By focusing on these quality traits, you can gradually build a strong backlink profile that enhances your website’s authority, relevance, and visibility in search engine rankings.
Best Practices for Building Backlinks: Strategies for Success
In the realm of SEO, building high-quality backlinks is a crucial aspect of improving your website’s authority and visibility.
To help you navigate the intricate world of link building, we have compiled a list of best practices.
Implementing these strategies will enhance your chances of acquiring valuable backlinks that positively impact your SEO efforts. Let’s explore these practices one by one:
1. Create Linkable Assets
One of the most effective ways to attract backlinks is by creating linkable assets.
These are high-quality pieces of content that provide value and information to your target audience.
Linkable assets can include in-depth guides, comprehensive case studies, original research, or interactive tools.
By offering unique and valuable resources, you increase the likelihood of other websites linking to your content.
2. Build Backlinks from Link Roundups
Link roundups are blog posts or articles that curate and highlight the best content within a particular niche or industry.
Actively seek out link roundups in your niche and reach out to the authors, suggesting your relevant and valuable content for inclusion.
Being featured in link roundups exposes your content to a wider audience and helps you acquire quality backlinks.
3. Use the Moving Man Method
The Moving Man Method is an outreach technique that involves finding broken links on websites and offering your content as a replacement.
Start by identifying websites in your niche that have recently undergone changes, such as rebranding, moving domains, or closing down.
Then, find websites that still link to their outdated content.
Reach out to those website owners, notifying them about the broken link and suggesting your relevant content as a replacement.
4. Broken Link Building
Similar to the Moving Man Method, broken link building involves finding broken links on websites and offering suitable replacements.
To begin, find resource pages or articles in your niche that contain broken links.
Then, create high-quality content that can serve as a replacement for the broken link.
Reach out to the website owner, informing them about the broken link and suggesting your content as a valuable alternative.
5. Guest Posting
Guest posting is a widely-used method for acquiring backlinks and expanding your online presence.
Identify authoritative websites or blogs in your niche that accept guest contributions.
Craft high-quality, informative content that aligns with their audience and guidelines.
By providing valuable content as a guest author, you can earn backlinks to your website while establishing yourself as an expert in your field.
6. Infographics and Other Visual Assets
Visual assets, such as infographics, can be highly shareable and link-worthy.
Create visually appealing and informative infographics related to your niche.
Include embed codes, making it easy for others to share your infographics on their websites, accompanied by a backlink to your site.
Additionally, consider creating other visual assets, such as videos or interactive tools, that can attract backlinks and engagement.
7. Submit Testimonials
If you have positive experiences with products, services, or tools in your industry, consider submitting testimonials.
Many companies feature testimonials on their websites, including a backlink to the source.
Reach out to businesses you appreciate and offer a genuine testimonial. This strategy not only helps you acquire backlinks but also strengthens relationships with industry professionals.
8. Blogger Reviews
Similar to testimonials, blogger reviews can be an effective way to earn backlinks.
Identify influential bloggers or content creators in your niche and offer them a free sample of your product or service.
Request an honest review, which can include a backlink to your website. Positive reviews from trusted sources can significantly boost your online credibility and generate valuable backlinks.
9. Link Reclamation
Link reclamation involves finding mentions of your brand or website on the web that do not include a backlink.
Use online tools to monitor brand mentions and reach out to the website owners or authors, kindly requesting them to add a backlink to the mention.
Link reclamation allows you to maximize the potential of existing brand mentions and turn them into valuable backlinks.
10. Use HARO
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a platform that connects journalists and content creators with expert sources.
Sign up as a source and receive daily emails with requests for information or quotes from journalists working on various stories.
By providing valuable insights and expertise, you have the opportunity to be featured in articles, earning backlinks to your website.
11. Reverse Engineer Your Competitor’s Backlinks
Analyzing your competitors’ backlinks can provide valuable insights and opportunities. Use online tools to identify the websites linking to your competitors.
Assess the quality and relevance of these backlinks and determine if there are opportunities for you to acquire similar links.
Outreach to the linking websites and offer your valuable content or resources as an alternative.
12. Stick to Content Formats That Generate Links
Certain content formats are inherently more shareable and link-worthy.
Identify the content formats that resonate well with your target audience and have a higher likelihood of being linked to.
This can include in-depth guides, expert interviews, research studies, data-driven articles, or comprehensive resource lists.
By focusing on content formats that naturally generate links, you increase your chances of acquiring valuable backlinks.
FAQs About What Is A Good Number Of Backlinks
How many backlinks per month is good?
It’s not about the quantity, but the quality of backlinks. Focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks rather than setting a specific number per month.
How many backlinks per day is safe?
There is no set number of backlinks per day that is universally safe. It’s important to maintain a natural link-building pattern and avoid sudden spikes or suspicious activity.
Is getting 100 backlinks from 100 different websites better?
Quality trumps quantity. It’s more valuable to have 100 high-quality backlinks from reputable websites than 100 backlinks from low-quality or spammy sources.
How many links are good for SEO?
There is no fixed number of links that guarantees SEO success. The focus should be on acquiring authoritative and relevant backlinks that contribute to your website’s credibility and visibility.
Do backlinks improve SEO?
Yes, backlinks play a crucial role in SEO.
High-quality backlinks from reputable websites indicate to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, positively impacting your search engine rankings.
Do backlinks increase traffic?
Backlinks can indirectly increase traffic to your website.
When authoritative websites link to your content, it exposes your website to their audience, potentially generating referral traffic and increasing your visibility.
Can you list 3 types of backlinks?
- Editorial backlinks: These are natural links earned when other websites find your content valuable and link to it without any solicitation.
- Guest post backlinks: These are acquired by contributing guest posts to authoritative websites, usually with a backlink to your website included in the author bio or within the content.
- Directory backlinks: These are links obtained by submitting your website to online directories or listing websites within your industry or niche.
Can backlinks hurt SEO?
Yes, certain backlinks can have a negative impact on SEO. Harmful backlinks, such as those from spammy or low-quality websites, can be detrimental to your website’s credibility and rankings.
What are harmful backlinks?
Harmful backlinks, also known as toxic or spammy backlinks, come from low-quality websites, link farms, or sites with irrelevant or suspicious content.
These backlinks can negatively affect your SEO efforts and should be disavowed or removed.
How do I get strong backlinks?
To acquire strong backlinks, focus on creating high-quality content that naturally attracts links.
Engage in guest posting, outreach to relevant websites, participate in industry forums or communities, and foster relationships with influencers in your field.
Do backlinks affect my rankings?
Yes, backlinks significantly impact your rankings. Search engines consider backlinks as a signal of your website’s authority and relevance.
High-quality backlinks from authoritative websites can boost your rankings, while poor-quality backlinks can have a negative impact.
What is the SEO value of backlinks?
Backlinks have substantial SEO value. They contribute to your website’s authority, credibility, and visibility in search engine rankings.
Quality backlinks signal to search engines that your content is trustworthy and valuable.
How many backlinks is a lot?
The number of backlinks considered “a lot” varies depending on factors such as your industry, competition, and the quality of backlinks.
Rather than focusing on the quantity, aim for a diverse portfolio of high-quality backlinks.
What is the best size for SEO?
There is no specific “size” that directly affects SEO. It’s essential to focus on providing valuable and relevant content, optimizing technical aspects, and acquiring quality backlinks to enhance your website’s SEO performance.
Final Thoughts About What Is A Good Number Of Backlinks
In conclusion, determining a specific number for what constitutes a good number of backlinks is not a straightforward task.
It’s important to understand that quality surpasses quantity when it comes to backlinks.
Instead of fixating on a specific number, focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks from trusted, authoritative websites that are topically related to your own.
These backlinks should have relevant anchor text and come from domains that haven’t linked to you before.
Remember that building a strong backlink profile is a gradual and continuous process.
Prioritize creating valuable content, fostering relationships, and engaging in ethical link-building practices to improve your website’s authority, visibility, and SEO performance.
