Backlinks are the common term used for hyperlinks links, and you need them, in fact, you can never have enough quality and relevant backlinks. Having said that, what determines quality backlinks?
Because if Google Webmaster Guidelines are anything to go by, then you can’t and should not make attempts to obtain backlinks. Because making any attempts to get backlinks may be against Google Guidelines on link schemes.
How Can You Get Links That are Within Google Guidelines?
Its all about your mentality as the website owner, because Google Guidelines do not state the fact obtaining backlinks are against its guidelines. If you have read the guidelines carefully, then you would have seen that it states:
Any links intended to manipulate PageRank or a site’s ranking in Google search results may be considered part of a link scheme and a violation of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines
Important History Lesson on Search Engine Optimization Tactics of the Past
I know you came here to learn about “how you can get backlinks to your site” but this is critically important for you to know:
Long ago in the great battle called the “Google Ranking Wars” all SEO warriors were going crazy over who could get more backlinks (more the merrier, so they thought).
Because some highly intelligent SEO’s reasoned as to think that they could fool the multibillion dollar search engine algorithm (Google Search Algorithm).
So back many years ago, instead of adhering to Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, SEO’s were getting backlinks with anchor text filled with important keywords.
Surprisingly, even today there are still some service providers selling backlink packages as part of their search engine optimization services.
But the funny thing was, without quality backlinks, ranking in Google’s first position was almost impossible back then. That means, there were/are millions of web directories, article directories created for the sole purpose of selling backlink opportunities.
Google’s attempt to protect its investment, they introduced and tweaked their algorithms in such way that, there were businesses who actually went bankrupt as a result of Google Panda, the Penguin (and all the other updates in between Google hasn’t announced to general public).
Now You Know the Importance of Backlinks
If you even try to manipulate Google rankings, it is not matter of if Google will catch you, but when. Because it takes bit of time for Google crawling the entire internet (trillions of web documents).
Google Needs You
Google isn’t some evil empire, because Google’s customers are you “the website owner” “Google Ads Advertiser” “Google Analytics user” “Google Search Console user” “YouTube channel owners” so it introduced the Google Disavow Tool to counteract the shady SEO’s hurting the small business community.
So knowing all this, should you get backlinks?
Yes you should get quality backlinks pointing back to your website. And I just had to give you the above lesson because you will 110% find information about backlinks on other websites who are trying you sell you some absurd idea that the more backlinks you have pointing to your website, the better it is. It doesn’t work that way.
Here’s How You Should Get Backlinks
Example: you got a social media profile or Google My Business page? And you post content on it (there you can get backlinks) always try to follow this formula:
For each external URL (backlink) -> to your website = 1 backlink
Not 2 or 3 backlinks pointing back to your website, but just 1 backlink when or if you can control it. And always identify content that will be read by real people and stay away from low quality spam websites.
Also: if possible, include 1 outlink on your sharable content, and make it point to another related URL (which compliments your content). And if possible, have that outlink above your own backlink.
For each backlink = diversify anchor text
Anchor Text: is the keywords you use when linking, and regardless of the target keywords, you should diversify your anchor text.
For example if How to Get Backlinks was my target keywords, then, I would change the anchor text to be ways to get links to your website and the next backlink would perhaps have anchor text as backlinks and search engine optimization and so on.
Realize that backlinks are natural part of content marketing, and its all to do with “your intent” and your intent when hunting backlinking opportunities should always be focused on the best interest of the content consumer on that external site. That’s the only formula to follow
When Using Internal Linking
All websites have a navigation menu, when creating menu structure, include your important keywords. For example: if you are a small business owner offering services, then, your menu could be:
“Services”
But its better if
“Services YourProfession”
When using internal linking throughout your web copy, diversification of words is just a natural way of talking. That means, instead of repeating keywords throughout your internal linking. You have to change the words on links when appropriate.
Good job ,thanks for this useful information. I think its very important for my website to get backlinks
Nice job, thank you for sharing this about Google SEO and baclinks
WOW it’s great
Backlinks from Forum Marketing? Is this SEO?
When an SEO expert suggest to do backlink building, or forum marketing for SEO, I guess some people never learn (Google Penguin).
Basically, stay away from getting worthless backlinks and instead follow Google guidelines on links (much depends on your mentality concerning Google rankings) because if you are looking for backlinks for higher Google rankings, then, you are trying to manipulate Google rankings which are against its guidelines/algorithms.
Instead, focus on your ideal customers and identify content types (can be how to blog posts, user manuals, PDF’s, videos, images, product usage instructions) that they may be interested in, create the content, share it on your own social media profiles and also and encourage your visitors to share. Then natural backlinks will follow no doubt. Also, backlinks although are important, but not the way others (usually the good old backlink sellers) make you believe. Follow #RankYa and get long terms results
Depending on what you are offering online and your niche, you may like to participate and contribute in question and answers type of websites. Here are few to get started
Thank you for your useful information.
Great to hear that you found this post useful Ann, I created this post because it is obvious that there are those so called #SEO experts who like spamming Google with tons of backlinks, and most of them confuse business site owners about links and backlinks. All you need to remember is, Google has guidelines on links and also has options for disavowing backlinks (there is a good reason for Google making these available). To learn more about removing bad backlinks (usually most of them if not done correctly) this video could be useful (has 2 parts)
See: How to Disavow Links in Google Search Console (Video Tutorials) on RankYa YouTube channel
Sorry RankYa,
I missed to ask you. I used to publish regularly on “twitter, G+, pinterest…” Is that good for my site? and how many backlinks I gain? “if I post on G daily it’s still considered one backlink?!”
Don’t stress about those backlinks, as some may be follow or nofollow, however, since you are sharing content, try to engage with people on these social profiles (once again, don’t wait till other to follow you first, but follow them first and begin engaging) and remember then, you can also share your social profiles as well (as in gain some quality backlinks to them as well)
Hello RankYa
Many thanks.I want to ask about the part ” you should diversify your anchor text” what to do if I target a keyword of only one word or two words?
You can use synonymous, variations of the word, naked URL, or even more than 3 or 4 words in anchor (because Google rankings work on single keywords) thus, Google will analyze the URL, links on it, anchor text as well. Because the URL you are getting the backlinks from are critical to be optimized. Meaning, on page SEO get that right because its easy, then, do not use the same anchor in backlinks, but rather follow the outlined approach
I’m happy to find you via Youtube. Thanks for providing quality information. I am new to SEO, backlinks and websites. Do you have any info on PBN?
Thanks again
PBN should be treated just like any other website, original and useful content and if you can have it on different (hosting) and even different domains depending on your target location. You can use tools like expired domains to identify recently deleted domains with quality backlink from diverse IP range and then check Google to see if its still in index, if so, register the domain and quickly put up a site (volia) you got a new domain for your PBN which also has quality backlinks (basically work smarter but not harder) and as always check out the premium courses by #RankYa as I teach everything about search engine optimization for #Google and online marketing in general, thanks Bryant for the comment (new content is coming soon)
I posted a article: omitted and its keyword is “generate unlimited reliance jio barcode” . But this keyword is not ranking anywhere in the google. I have checked with semrush tool and it is not even found in google ?
After typing keyword with my blog domain like “Generate unlimited reliance jio barcode trickweek” then it is at first page. Previously many posts of mine are in 1st ,2nd page but this post is not even ranking with the keyword or with the whole title. What is the problem ? Please answer ?
I don’t know, but I would encourage you to share that post on your social profiles and diversify your anchor text back to that post, or better yet, create a short video and link back to that post as I see many videos are showing for that search term more videos are on #RankYa YouTube channel can be found here https://www.youtube.com/c/rankya/videos and #Google #SEO courses teaches what’s needed to rank competitive keywords as well
Respected Sir,
I have been watching your videos , You have so much indepth knowledge regarding anything on the web, thats great sir. I admire you as you speak your presentation skills and to give the customers good ideas regarding the web. I am a newbie in blogging I need your suggestions for my site.
I have original content and wish to earn some money by putting adsense ads on it. I have not posted my website any where till as per your advice but how to get visitors to my site if people dont know my site. I do follow Quora and reditt where people post their sites. How can i get traffic to my site Legal way. Please help.
Your Help is highly appreciated
If you are wanting to earn money from AdSense, then, simply work on your site by creating content (the sooner the better) and have at least 30 posts published, verify your site in Search Console, use images correctly https://www.rankya.com/how-to/how-to-find-free-images-for-commercial-use/ and have privacy policy page detailing how you protect the privacy of your website visitors. Don’t spend too much time reading reddit or Quora etc. instead, focus on your ideal customer (search Google, find long tailed keywords to begin with (answer the ideal customer’s questions on your website)) create content which is easy to optimize https://www.rankya.com/seo/seo-tutorials-for-new-beginners/ you could do this within days. Once again focus on your site content (original, useful, unique) then apply to AdSense and they will approve your application.
Thank you rankya
Great Sahil, I see you are putting effort into your posts, keep up the good work
wao …… how much this was important i cannot describe it… thank you so much for this article because it give me a new idea to boost my business thanks again!!
Great to hear it Avtar, I am updating the site with fresh content soon (very interesting SEO insights will be shared) till then thank you for spreading the word about RankYa SEO and Online Marketing.