When confronted with this question, the typical SEO response tends to be a rather unhelpful “It depends.” Frankly, the answer needs to be more exciting and tiresome.
Hence, we’re taking on the challenge of addressing this question head-on, even if it borders on the rhetorical. Throughout this journey, we aim to shed light on the evolving role of backlinks as a ranking factor. We’ll also explore contemporary strategies for cultivating top-tier links toward your homepage and content.
Reevaluating Link Importance: Analyzing Google’s Recent Statements
In September 2023, Gary Illyes, an Analyst on Google’s Search Team, stirred discussions during an AMA by suggesting that ‘links were no longer a top 3 ranking factor, and haven’t been for some time.’
This statement led some to believe that backlinks had lost all significance, which only partially emphasized their importance, stating, “I think they are important, but I think people overestimate the importance of links. I disagree. It’s in the top three. It hasn’t been for some time.”
Although Illyes acknowledged the value of backlinks, skepticism surrounds Google’s transparency regarding divulging details about their search algorithms. While not deceptive, Google tends to be selective in revealing information, notably omitting crucial details. This ambiguity extends to their reluctance to publicize the PageRank algorithm, fearing manipulation by businesses aiming for better SERP rankings.
Google strives to provide users with the best search experience by delivering results from trusted, authoritative sources. Consequently, Google maintains a somewhat ambivalent stance towards SEO. While acknowledging businesses need to enhance visibility, Google’s SEO recommendations often revolve around the directive to ‘create better content.’
Empirical evidence suggests that backlinks remain pivotal. Flawless technical SEO and impeccable on-page factors can only go so far. When clients need help to surpass competitors, deficient link profiles often emerge as the culprit. Since top-ranking websites boast more high-quality links, more than basic SEO tactics are required to outpace them.
To bridge this gap, substantial effort is invested in ‘closing the competitive gap’ by augmenting clients’ link profiles to rival those of leading competitors. The correlation persists: more links correlate with improved SERP rankings and heightened organic traffic, underscoring the potency of high-value links.
The takeaway? Rely on the tangible results gleaned from personal experiments and campaigns rather than solely heeding comments from Google’s SEO team.
Deciphering Backlink Requirements for New Websites
Embarking on the journey of a new website entails starting from scratch, especially in terms of backlinks. This reality extends to all SEO ranking factors.
Before diving headfirst into the pursuit of backlinks, ensuring your technical SEO and on-page SEO are finely tuned is imperative. This entails meticulous planning of your URL structure and site architecture, conducting comprehensive keyword research to inform content strategy, and certifying your site’s mobile-friendliness and SSL certification.
Additionally, populate your new site with compelling content tailored to the queries your target audience frequently searches for. Remember to encompass content for each stage of your sales funnel, aligning with the intent behind the keywords identified.
Once the groundwork is laid, the question arises: how many backlinks are necessary?
On average, aiming for approximately 50 links directed toward your homepage and around 100 for each web page you aspire to rank is a reasonable goal.
Navigating Anchor Text Dynamics
Beyond the mere presence of links, anchor text selection holds paramount importance. Anchor text denotes the words used to display a hyperlink, and several approaches can be employed:
- Exact match anchors exclusively feature the target keyword for the respective page. However, employing these anchors excessively can be perceived as spam by Google.
- Partial match anchors integrate the target keyword alongside additional phrases to furnish context, representing a safer alternative to exact match keywords.
- Branded anchors incorporate your brand name as the link.
- Natural anchors forego keywords or brand names, utilizing words inherent to the sentence containing the link.
- Naked URLs abstain from anchor text, presenting the bare URL instead.
Maintaining a favorable anchor text ratio is crucial to maximizing the impact of your backlink profile. Generally, exact match anchors should be used sparingly, while partial match, branded, and natural anchors are preferred in most instances.
Unveiling Effective Strategies for Building Backlinks
Having determined the requisite number of backlinks, it’s time to delve into obtaining them.
To recap our earlier discussions:
- Assess your competitors’ link profiles to gauge the disparity between theirs and yours. Pursue quantity over quality if the gap is substantial; otherwise, prioritize securing high-value links.
- For new websites, aim for 50 links to your homepage and around 100 links for critical web pages.
Now that we’ve addressed the titular question, another inquiry arises: How can you cultivate links that direct traffic to your content?
Let’s explore some highly effective methods:
Targeted Link Outreach
Engaging in outreach is integral to most backlink strategies, and its dynamics have evolved.
Previously, SEO practitioners relied on generic outreach templates, soliciting guest articles, link insertions, and rectifying broken links. However, this approach became ubiquitous and inundated website owners with countless generic outreach emails daily.
Effective link outreach demands standing out from the deluge while fostering enduring relationships that yield multiple links over time.
Transitioning from pursuing individual links to cultivating long-term link partnerships with relevant websites in your niche is imperative. Diversify your outreach strategy beyond singular tactics like guest posting.
When executed proficiently, your outreach efforts can yield more than just guest blogs, although they remain valuable additions to your link portfolio.
Press Releases and Article Syndication
Delving into syndication and broadening your article’s exposure by publishing it on other platforms can enhance visibility and amass valuable links.
Central to this endeavor is relationship building. Cultivating a network of pertinent websites willing to feature your articles is crucial.
If you lack existing connections, explore Google using targeted search operators such as:
- “Originally published on” (niche keyword)
- “Syndicated from” (niche keyword)
- “Originally appeared on” (niche keyword)
These operators facilitate the discovery of websites in your domain that syndicate content, laying the groundwork for relationship cultivation.
Additionally, leverage our complimentary backlink checker tool to scrutinize your competitors’ link profiles for syndication opportunities you may have overlooked.
Press releases provided they eschew time-sensitive information, represent another avenue to disseminate your brand message and secure backlinks.
Establishing rapport with news outlets within your niche proves advantageous, allowing you to distribute press releases for effortless link acquisition.
For further enlightenment, explore additional strategies to procure backlinks from pertinent websites.
Commence Constructing the Optimal Number of Links Today
Wasn’t that response far more informative than the generic “It depends”?
Now equipped with a precise estimate of the number of links required to reach your ranking objectives and effective strategies for their acquisition, you’re primed for success.
This marks the initial phase of your quest toward SERP dominance. Please stay connected with our blog for further actionable insights.
Should you encounter challenges navigating this process, consider exploring our monthly SEO packages for professional guidance from experts in the field.
