What Are Backlinks? A Complete Guide to SEO Backlinks [2026]

You've heard that backlinks are important for SEO, but what exactly are they?

Why does Google care so much about whether other websites link to yours?

This article explains the concept of backlinks in the simplest terms, tells you which links are valuable, and shows you how to earn them.

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Backlink Fundamentals

What Is a Backlink?

Backlink = a link from another website pointing to your website

A real-life analogy:

Think of backlinks as "letters of recommendation." When someone places a link to your website in their article, they're essentially saying: "This website has good content -- it's worth checking out."

Concrete example:

Suppose:

• Site A writes an article about coffee
• The article includes a link to Site B's coffee bean guide

For Site B:

• That link is a "backlink"
• Site B has received a "recommendation"

Why Backlinks Matter for SEO

Google's original design:

Google co-founder Larry Page designed the PageRank algorithm around this core concept:

• If many websites link to a page, that page is probably valuable
• If high-quality websites link to it, the link is even more valuable

Links = votes:

• Each link is like a vote for your website
• More votes (especially high-quality ones) = better rankings

Practical impact:

1. Ranking factor: Backlinks are one of Google's core ranking signals
2. Discovery mechanism: Google discovers new pages through links
3. Trust signal: Recommendations indicate trustworthy content

Backlinks vs External Links

These two terms are often confused:

Same link, different perspectives:

If Site A links to Site B:

• For Site A: It's an "external link"
• For Site B: It's a "backlink"

Why the distinction matters:

• You want more "backlinks" (others linking to you)
• The "external links" on your site should be high quality

For a comprehensive link building strategy, check out our core guide.

Types of Backlinks

Dofollow vs Nofollow Links

Dofollow links (default):

• Standard links without special attributes
• Pass "Link Juice" (link authority)
• Directly benefit SEO

Nofollow links:

• Include the rel="nofollow" attribute
• Tell search engines not to follow
• Traditionally don't pass authority

Code comparison:

<!-- Dofollow (standard link) -->
<a href="https://example.com">Link text</a>

<!-- Nofollow -->
<a href="https://example.com" rel="nofollow">Link text</a>

Changes in 2019:

Google announced it would treat nofollow as a "hint" rather than a "directive," meaning nofollow links may still carry some value.

Other link types:

• rel="sponsored": Paid or advertising links
• rel="ugc": User-generated content (such as comments)

Editorial Links

What are editorial links?

Links placed by a website editor or author because they consider your content valuable.

Characteristics:

• The most natural link type
• Typically the highest quality
• Google's preferred type

How to earn them:

• Create genuinely valuable content
• Original research and data
• Comprehensive problem-solving guides

Guest Post Links

What are guest post links?

Links you earn by publishing articles on other websites, typically within the article body or author bio.

Advantages:

• Proactive and controllable
• You choose the target website
• Builds industry relationships

Considerations:

• Content must genuinely provide value
• Don't write solely for the link
• Choose relevant, high-quality websites

Directory Links & Social Links

Directory links:

Links earned by listing in industry directories and yellow pages.

• A basic link type
• Limited but still useful value
• Choose reputable directories

Social links:

Links from social media platforms and forums.

• Typically nofollow
• Bring traffic and exposure
• Indirectly support SEO

How to Evaluate Backlink Quality

Source Website Authority (DA/DR)

What are DA/DR?

• DA (Domain Authority): A website authority metric developed by Moz
• DR (Domain Rating): A similar metric developed by Ahrefs

Scale: 0-100, higher is better

Reference benchmarks:

Note:

DA/DR are third-party tool metrics, not official Google data. Use them as references only.

Content Relevance

Why does relevance matter?

A food website linking to your SEO article is less impactful than a link from a marketing website.

Google's perspective:

• Relevant links = genuine recommendations
• Irrelevant links = possible manipulation

How to assess relevance:

• The source website's topic
• The content of the linking page
• The anchor text description

Link Placement & Anchor Text

Link placement affects value:

The importance of anchor text:

Anchor text = the clickable text of a link

Good anchor text:

• Highly descriptive
• Blends naturally into content
• Doesn't overuse keywords

Traffic & Credibility

Links from sites with traffic are more valuable:

• Source website has real traffic
• The link may bring actual visitors
• Indicates the site is active

Credibility indicators:

• Site has genuine content
• Normal update frequency
• No suspicious link patterns

The foundation of earning backlinks is quality content. Let AI help you produce valuable articles.

👉 View Service Plans

How to Earn High-Quality Backlinks

Create Content Worth Linking To

The most fundamental approach: Create content others want to cite.

Content types that attract links:

1. Original research

   • Industry survey reports
   • Data analysis
   • Case studies

2. Comprehensive guides

   • Ultimate tutorials
   • Beginner guides
   • FAQ compilations

3. Practical tools

   • Free calculators
   • Template downloads
   • Checklists

4. Visual content

   • Infographics
   • Visual tutorials

Build Industry Relationships

Why do relationships matter?

People you have relationships with are more willing to link to and share your content.

How to build relationships:

1. Participate in industry communities

   • Forums, Facebook groups
   • Contribute valuable discussions

2. Social media engagement

   • Follow industry influencers
   • Share and comment on their content

3. Online/offline events

   • Attend industry conferences
   • Webinars

Active Outreach

What is outreach?

Proactively contacting other websites to recommend your content.

Outreach example:

Subject: A resource your readers might find valuable

Hi [Name],

I really enjoyed your article about [Topic].

I recently published [Your Content], which provides [unique value].

If you think it would be helpful for your readers, feel free to share it.

[Your Name]

Success factors:

• Personalize each message -- don't send bulk emails
• Provide genuine value
• Don't be overly promotional
• Keep it concise

Monitor Competitor Link Sources

Why monitor competitors?

Links your competitors earn, you can likely earn too.

How to analyze:

1. Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, etc.
2. Enter competitor URLs
3. Review their backlinks
4. Analyze link sources
5. Develop an acquisition strategy

Key questions:

• What link sources do they have?
• How were those links earned?
• Can I replicate this?

For more on off-page SEO strategies, check out our dedicated article.

Backlink Analysis Tools

Ahrefs Site Explorer

Features:

• Most comprehensive backlink database
• Competitor analysis
• Link growth tracking

Price: From $99/month

Best for: Professional SEOs

Moz Link Explorer

Features:

• DA scoring system
• Spam link scoring
• Free version available

Price: Free version available / Paid from $99/month

Best for: Beginners

Google Search Console

Features:

• Official Google tool
• View Google-recognized links
• Completely free

How to use:

1. Log in to Search Console
2. Left menu → Links
3. View "External links"

For more on link building tools, check out our tool recommendations.

Common Backlink Mistakes

The Risks of Buying Links

Why can't you buy links?

Google explicitly prohibits buying links to manipulate rankings.

Possible consequences:

• Manual penalties
• Ranking drops
• Complete deindexing in severe cases

How to spot link sellers:

• Promise rapid, large-scale link increases
• Unusually cheap pricing
• No interest in your industry or content

Link Farms & Spam Links

What is a link farm?

A network of websites that exist solely to manufacture links.

Characteristics:

• Content has no value
• Massive number of outbound links
• No real traffic

How to handle spam links:

• Use Google's Disavow Tool
• Request the site remove the link
• Monitor your link profile

Over-Using Exact Match Anchor Text

What is over-optimization?

Having all your backlinks use the same keyword as anchor text.

Example (bad practice):

If every backlink to your site uses "SEO tutorial" as anchor text, it looks highly unnatural.

Natural distribution:

• Brand name: 30-40%
• Generic (click here, etc.): 20-30%
• Exact keyword: 10-15%
• Partial match: 20-30%

For more on SEO external link building methods, check out our tutorial.

Why Backlink Quality Beats Quantity Every Time

Backlinks are a core SEO factor, but the focus shouldn't be on "more" -- it should be on "better."

Key takeaways from this article:

1. Definition: Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to yours
2. Types: Dofollow, nofollow, editorial links, guest post links
3. Quality criteria: Authority, relevance, placement, anchor text
4. Acquisition methods: Create great content, build relationships, active outreach
5. Mistakes to avoid: Don't buy links, don't over-optimize

Our recommendations:

1. Focus on creating valuable content
2. Don't take shortcuts (buying links)
3. Quality over quantity
4. Play the long game and keep building

Want to build topical authority? Start with quality content. Consult via LINE about our AI content plans.

👉 Free LINE Consultation: @006ljkda