Blog Layout

BACK
What Are Backlinks in SEO?
Taylor Tunnison • Sep 09, 2022

If you’re new to digital marketing, you may be unfamiliar with backlinks. These essential elements affect the quality of any website’s search engine optimization (SEO). In short, a backlink is any hyperlink that points back to a website from another domain. They’re often used to cite sources, provide useful details, or recommend valuable content to users. Here’s a quick primer on what backlinks are and why they’re so important for SEO.

SEO Backlinks

Google’s search engine algorithm, a complex version of PageRank, ranks websites based on hundreds of factors. One major ranking factor is a website’s number of backlinks (inbound links). In general, those with more backlinks often receive higher organic search rankings.


Backlinks are important because they signal value, quality, and credibility. Think of them as votes of approval from other individuals and organizations. For instance, if someone enjoys one of our posts and wants to give us credit for it, they would (hopefully) link back to our website within their own original content. That way, their users can easily find us online. Plus, if it’s a “follow” link, Google is more likely to transfer some of the linking domain’s authority to our website.


Domain Authority (DA) and backlinks go hand-in-hand. The quality and variety of a website’s backlinks directly affect its own DA. While DA isn’t a true Google Search ranking factor, it’s a relatively good metric for predicting how likely a website is to rank compared to competitors.

Types of Backlinks

There are several common types of backlinks on the internet today. Some directly contribute to a website’s Google Search rankings, but others don’t. Knowing the difference between distinct types of backlinks can empower you to improve your website’s overall SEO strategy.

1. Follow Links

These links technically “pass PageRank” from one domain to another. Follow or “DoFollow” links directly affect a website’s Google Search rankings. That’s why we consider them the gold standard of SEO backlinks, especially if they're organic, relevant, and authoritative.

2. Nofollow Links

By contrast, these links don’t pass PageRank between domains. Nofollow links look like any other link at first glance, but they carry a hidden tag in their HTML code that tells Google not to crawl them. They generally come from internal links, online directories, and social media networks.


While having nofollow links pointing to your website won’t directly boost its search rankings, they’re still helpful for user trust, organic traffic, and link profile diversity. A website link profile of 100% follow links is misleading, so we recommend maintaining at least 10% nofollow links.

3. Organic Links

Building organic follow links is one of the best ways to improve any website’s SEO. These spontaneous, often user-generated, links are free gestures of goodwill, and they tell both Google and website visitors that the linked website is valuable and credible.

4. Paid Links

As you may guess, paid links aren’t organic. Instead, they’re bought with the hope of quickly improving a website’s traffic or even search rankings. Paid links should always include nofollow tags as to not pass PageRank from the linking domain. This is because Google want to reward earned, organic backlinks, not sponsored content. In fact, paid follow links violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, and they may negatively impact the linked domain’s search rankings.

What Is a Good Backlink?

If you’re working on your website’s SEO, then you’ll want to build a diverse profile of high-quality backlinks. This will signal to Google that your website is worth ranking over competitors for relevant keywords. But how do you know what is a good backlink and what simply isn’t?


Backlinks don’t exist in a vacuum. They contribute to a website’s overall link profile, which can be checked using a variety of free and paid SEO tools. Ahrefs allows you to easily explore any website’s link profile with their backlink checker. Tools like this and Moz’s Domain Authority are essential for evaluating the quality of any current or potential backlinks.


Organic follow links from high-authority domains are excellent, and more are always better. A single backlink from a high DA domain is likely to be more valuable than dozens of links from brand-new websites. Nofollow backlinks, especially from high DA domains, are also good because they help to diversify a website’s link profile. The only “bad” backlinks are those that clearly break the rules, like paid follow links. Let’s review some of the main components of good backlinks.

1. Authoritative Domains

An authoritative domain (high DA) is recognized and respected within its particular industry. If that website links back to yours, it’s essentially a vote of approval. These links are always welcome when it comes to SEO, especially if they’re organic and follow-tagged. Keep in mind that authority backlinks are tough to earn and rarely occur by accident. They’re almost always the result of insight, dedication, and high-quality original content that catches someone’s attention.

2. Relevant Sources

Relevance is critical for good SEO backlinks. However, it isn't just helpful for Google Search rankings. Even nofollow backlinks from relevant third-party websites can boost organic website traffic, improve user experience, and help drive conversions.


Backlinks are like roads between digital destinations. If the two linked websites have something in common, such as a shared industry or passion for community outreach, visitors who are interested in one are much more likely to be intrigued by the other. We call this qualified traffic, and it’s always preferable over unqualified traffic.


Put yourself in a user’s shoes and consider their reaction to an irrelevant link. They’re unlikely to see your website positively, even if the bad link wasn’t your doing. They’ll probably leave immediately, negatively affecting your website’s bounce rate.

3. Diverse Link Profile

A strong link profile includes a large variety of referring domains. This means your backlinks are coming from a wide selection of different websites. If you’re constantly getting backlinks from the same domains, you likely won’t have enough variety in your link profile to truly smash your SEO goals. Backlinks from new domains, even if they aren’t the most authoritative, will significantly improve the diversity of your link profile. Always consider this when evaluating your SEO backlinks and whether or not they’re a good fit.

4. Varied Anchor Text

For the most part, it’s tough to control the anchor text a third-party website uses in your backlinks. Regardless, try to aim for as much variety as possible. Backlinks anchored to company name and website URL are fairly common, but those connected to high-value keywords are usually better.


One way to gain varied backlink anchor text is to improve your website’s content. Focus on your product or service pages, and consider breaking them into separate pages if you haven’t already. Regularly publish keyword-centered blog posts that provide insight and value for visitors. Share your content on social media platforms and within email newsletters to raise awareness and boost visibility. With some luck, you’ll catch someone’s eye and earn backlinks anchored to relevant keywords.

Ask Us about SEO Best Practices

SEO is a long-term approach that involves dozens of best practices. Backlinks are simply one part of a comprehensive plan for improving organic website traffic over time. If you’re curious about backlinks, Domain Authority, or SEO in general, then we welcome you to reach out today. We’d love to sit down together and discuss your opportunities for improvement.


Originally published on September 3rd, 2020

Are You Interested In More?

SCHEDULE A MEETING

Share This Post With Your Friends

Latest Posts

By Rachel Hayden 31 Oct, 2024
Let’s face it - we all probably spend a lot more time online than we actually should. Since we spend a lot of time online, businesses are constantly seeking ways to improve their online presence to engage their audience and increase their conversions. Whether you're driving traffic to your site through paid ads, organic search, or social media, the ultimate goal is to turn those visitors into loyal customers. This process relies on two elements: user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). Let’s get into how you can maximize conversions through seamless UX and smart web development. The Importance of UX in Digital Marketing  User experience (UX) is the foundation upon which every successful website is built. Immediate satisfaction and convenience have become the new norm, so users have little patience for websites that are slow, hard to navigate, or confusing. A seamless UX allows users to explore your site, find the information they need, and take action—whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your sales team. Here’s how a smooth UX affects conversions: 1. Fast Loading Times Even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. A fast-loading website improves user experience and helps with SEO rankings, driving more organic traffic to your site. 2. Intuitive Navigation When visitors come to your website, they should be able to find what they’re looking for with little effort. Thoughtfully designed menus, prominent calls-to-action (CTAs), and logical flow all contribute to a smooth experience. Clear navigation allows users to easily move through your site, increasing the chances that they’ll follow through on your conversion goals. 3. Responsive Design With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential that your website is responsive and optimized for all screen sizes. A mobile-optimized website guarantees that visitors have a smooth experience, regardless of the device they’re using. 4. Clear Calls-to-Action A clear and persuasive CTA stands out and encourages users to take the next step—whether it’s signing up, making a purchase, or contacting your business. The placement, color, and copy of your CTAs should align with the user journey and make it easy for visitors to take action. Smart Web Development to Drive Conversions While great UX is essential, it’s only part of the equation. The technical aspects of web development play a role in ensuring that your website functions efficiently. 1. Optimized Code and Performance The foundation of any high-performing website lies in its code. Clean, well-optimized code allows for fast loading times and a better user experience. Deleting unnecessary scripts, optimizing images, and utilizing modern coding frameworks can help you create a website that performs at its best. 2. SEO Best Practices Effective web development goes hand in hand with search engine optimization (SEO). From the technical setup of your site’s build to ensuring proper use of meta tags and alt text for images, smart web development makes it easier for search engines to index your content and rank your site higher. Higher rankings lead to more organic traffic, giving you a greater chance of converting those visitors into customers. 3. User-Centric Design with Personalization Web development isn’t just about functionality—it’s about crafting a personalized experience for each user. Try incorporating elements like dynamic content, custom recommendations, and personalized user flows to create an experience that speaks directly to the needs and interests of your target audience. Personalized experiences lead to increased engagement, which in turn drives higher conversion rates. 4. Analytics and Conversion Tracking To optimize your conversions, you should track and analyze user behavior on your site. Smart web development involves integrating analytics tools so you can gain valuable insights into how users interact with your site. You can monitor metrics like bounce rate, click-through rate , and conversion paths so you continuously refine your website to maximize its effectiveness. How True North Technologies Helps Maximize Conversions At True North Technologies, we combine seamless UX with smart web development practices to help your business achieve its digital marketing goals. By understanding your target audience and objectives, we create websites that not only look great but also perform at their best. Our goal is to deliver a digital experience that engages visitors and drives results. Contact True North Technologies today and let us help you maximize conversions and boost your digital marketing strategy.
By Rachel Hayden 08 Oct, 2024
Facebook, as one of the largest social media platforms, frequently updates its algorithms and features, impacting how users reach their audiences and measure success. Because of the fast-paced updates, it’s important to stay up to date about platform changes in order to keep an effective online presence. Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics can help you navigate the world of social media successfully. The Shift in Content Prioritization One of the most notable changes has been Facebook's shift in prioritizing content from your friends over public posts from businesses. This adjustment means that even well-crafted posts from business pages may not reach their intended audiences as expected. As a result, many companies are seeing a decline in organic reach, which directly affects engagement metrics like their likes, shares, and comments. The Rise of an AI-Powered Algorithm Facebook's algorithm is now fully AI-powered and more complex than ever before. It looks at many different factors to determine what content is shown to users, like user's engagement history, post relevance, and user behavior. Each piece of content is assigned a "relevance score," which influences its visibility in the News Feed. Content that fits well with user interests and creates meaningful interactions is favored. Clickbait and Spam Reduction Facebook has added measures to reduce the reach of clickbait and spammy posts in its effort to improve user experience. If your content is perceived as misleading or low-quality, it may be docked in the algorithm. Try focusing on producing authentic and valuable content to avoid falling into this category. Understanding the Click-Gap Metric Another big update we’ve seen is the introduction of the " Click-Gap " metric. This metric assesses the popularity of posts on Facebook compared to their performance elsewhere online. If a post is gaining traction solely on Facebook without external validation, its reach might be limited. Promoting content across multiple platforms will help establish credibility and encourage broader engagement. Plus, you might be missing out on a part of your target audience if you’re not utilizing multiple relevant social media platforms. Content Saturation and Paid Advertising The large amount of content shared on Facebook daily creates a competitive environment where individual posts can easily get lost. As organic reach declines, the importance of paid advertising has grown. Facebook’s promotion of paid posts can decrease your organic reach as well. To make sure your content is seen by the right audience, it’d be a good idea to consider investing in targeted ads. Why Engagement Metrics and KPIs Matter Engagement metrics are key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect how well your content resonates with your audience. High engagement rates indicate that your posts are being seen and appreciated, offering you valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Engagement builds community and brand loyalty within your audience and serves as a KPI for measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Ways to Navigate Facebook Update Consider using these strategies to navigate the impact of Facebook updates on your metrics: Create Relevant Content: Focus on producing content that encourages meaningful interactions with your audience. Use engaging visuals, informative posts, and storytelling to catch your audience's attention. Use Facebook Stories: Stories are a popular feature that allows for more immediate engagement. Use them to share quick updates, behind-the-scenes content, and promotions to encourage interaction. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages to add a more personable touch to your online presence. Ask questions and create polls for user participation. Invest in Paid Advertising: Consider investing in targeted Facebook Ads or other social ads to boost visibility and reach your desired audience, especially when organic reach is declining. Track Performance Regularly: Use Facebook Insights to monitor your metrics closely. Identify which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly. Data-driven marketing is always more effective! Let True North Refresh Your Social Strategy Understanding how Facebook updates impact your metrics is essential for anyone looking to succeed in their social media marketing. Adapting to changes in the algorithm and focusing on quality engagement will help you navigate your social strategies more effectively. At True North Technologies, we’re here to help you refine your social media strategy and maximize your impact on Facebook. Contact us today and see how we can help you reach your goals!
By Rachel Hayden 03 Sep, 2024
In marketing, simply casting a wide net and hoping for the best is like shooting arrows in the dark. Rather than throwing messages out there and hoping it resonates with someone, a data-driven approach allows you to allocate your efforts more effectively. By taking advantage of data collection, you can target your audience with precision, optimize your budget, and refine your strategies based on real performance metrics. Here’s why data-driven marketing is more effective: 1. Precision Targeting and Personalization Data-driven marketing allows for precise audience targeting . Businesses can segment their audience more accurately and tailor their messaging by analyzing consumer behavior, preferences, and demographics. This level of personalization increases the relevance of your marketing efforts, making it more likely that your message will resonate with individual consumers. Personalized marketing boosts engagement and enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. 2. Improved ROI and Budget Allocation A key benefit of data-driven marketing is the ability to measure and optimize return on investment (ROI). With access to detailed analytics, you can track the performance of your campaigns in real-time and make data-backed decisions to allocate your budget more effectively. By identifying which channels and strategies yield the highest returns, you can focus your resources on the most impactful areas, ensuring a more efficient use of your marketing budget. 3. Enhanced Decision-Making and Strategy Data-driven marketing empowers businesses to make informed decisions based on concrete evidence rather than intuition. Data helps you understand what works and what doesn’t so you’re able refine your strategies. The ability to adapt to changing market conditions, emerging trends, and shifting consumer preferences will ensure your marketing efforts remain relevant and effective. 4. Real-Time Performance Tracking With data-driven marketing, you gain access to real-time performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), offering immediate feedback on your campaigns. This instant visibility into KPIs allows you to identify and address issues swiftly, make necessary adjustments, and capitalize on opportunities as they arise. Real-time tracking of these key metrics helps you maintain the agility needed to stay competitive in a dynamic market environment. 5. Better Customer Insights Data analytics offer valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences , helping you understand your audience on a deeper level. Analyzing patterns in customer interactions, purchase history, and feedback can uncover trends and insights that inform your marketing strategies. These insights help you meet customer needs and create stronger consumer relationships by delivering relevant and timely content. More Than Marketing At True North Technologies, we specialize in data collection and analytics to drive marketing success. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you leverage data analytics to create targeted, personalized, and effective marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. From advanced analytics and performance tracking to strategic optimization, we provide comprehensive solutions to elevate your marketing efforts.
Share by: