How to find quality backlinks for your website
Backlinks are essential for improving your website's Google ranking, but getting them can be tricky. Don’t worry — we will explain how to find quality backlinks in a way that’s easy to follow. In this guide, we’ll look at some strategies to help you build high-quality backlinks without all the confusing jargon.
The four ways to get backlinks
There are four main ways you can get backlinks: you can add them yourself, earn them through great content, ask for them, or buy them. Each of these approaches works differently, so let's break them down.
1. Adding links yourself
Adding links yourself is the quickest method. This is when you post your link on forums, directories, or in comment sections. It’s an easy way to get your link out there, but it doesn't always add much value. Google tends to overlook these links because they’re so easy to get, and many websites mark them as “nofollow,” meaning they don’t help your SEO as much. While adding your links can help with visibility, it's not the most powerful method for improving your rankings.
2. Earning links
Earning links naturally is the gold standard. This happens when other websites link to your content because it’s valuable and worth sharing. If you create something truly helpful—like an in-depth guide, original research, or a unique tool—people will want to link to it without you even asking. Earning links takes more effort, but the payoff is huge. Google loves these types of links, and they can significantly boost your ranking because they’re seen as trustworthy and authoritative.
3. Asking for links
Asking for links involves reaching out to website owners and convincing them to link to your content. This can work well if you approach it thoughtfully. For example, you might offer to write a guest post for their blog, or you might suggest they replace a broken link on their site with your content. The key is to build genuine relationships and offer something valuable in return, rather than just asking for a favour out of the blue.
4. Buying links
Buying backlinks is the riskiest method because Google penalises websites that buy links from low-quality sources. However, there are legitimate ways to pay for backlinks, such as through sponsorships or partnerships. The key is to avoid shady link sellers and instead focus on earning backlinks in a way that feels natural and trustworthy.
How to start building backlinks
Now that you know the basics, here are a few steps to help you get started.
First, research your competitors to see where they’re getting their backlinks. Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can help you identify which websites are linking to your competition. Once you’ve gathered that information, try creating content that’s valuable enough to attract similar backlinks. This could be anything from an insightful blog post to a useful tool or even a well-designed infographic.
Next, reach out to website owners in your industry and start building relationships. This can be as simple as offering to write a guest post for them or suggesting that they link to your content if it adds value to their site. The more genuine and helpful you are, the more likely they’ll be to link to you.
Building backlinks doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on creating great content and building real relationships with other websites. The more value you offer, the more likely you are to earn high-quality backlinks that will improve your rankings. Instead of chasing every possible link, focus on getting quality links from reputable sources. It might take some time, but the results will be worth it. Happy backlink building!
