Building Backlinks
Here's how I actually work with building backlinks when the stakes are real.
What I’d do first
- Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to pages on your website.
- Effective backlink building focuses on relevance, context, and the destination URL, not just link volume.
- Common white-hat tactics include guest posts, broken link building, reclaiming lost backlinks, pitching content to publications, and turning unlinked brand mentions into links.
Backlinks are still a major signal for Google because they can help search engines discover, evaluate, and rank pages. For SEO practitioners, a strong backlinking strategy can drive both organic traffic and referral traffic when links come from relevant, credible sites.
Example
Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to pages on your website.
Quick start
- Define the goal for this topic.
- Check the live SERP format.
- Improve one page that matches the intent.
- Measure in Google Search Console.
Common mistakes
- Treating the topic as a one-time task
- Ignoring search intent
- Copying tactics without checking your SERP
Next step
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to build backlinks?
There is no guaranteed fast method; sustainable results come from creating high-quality content and doing targeted outreach. Broken link building and unlinked mention reclamation can yield quicker wins than guest posting.
How many backlinks do I need to rank?
There is no fixed number. Quality and relevance matter more than quantity. A few strong editorial links from authoritative sites can outperform hundreds of low-quality links.
Are backlinks still important for SEO in 2025?
Yes. Google continues to use links as a major ranking signal. However, the focus has shifted to editorial relevance and natural link profiles rather than sheer volume.
What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
Dofollow links pass ranking credit (link equity) to the linked page. Nofollow links do not pass equity but can still drive traffic and add to a natural link profile.
Sources
Primary documentation is linked directly. Anything commercial is marked nofollow.
- Google Search Central — Primary source for Google’s guidance on links, spam policies, and how search systems evaluate pages.
- Ahrefs – Link Building for SEO — Clear practitioner-focused explanation of link building as an SEO process and how to find meaningful backlink opportunities.
- Moz – Develop Link Building Strategies — Well-known SEO reference for strategy, anchor text, and contextual link acquisition.
Notes from Callum Bennett.