How Backlinks Impact Your SEO Rankings

How Do Backlinks Impact Your SEO Rankings

Let’s paint a picture: You are in search of the best SEO services online, and Google delivers thousands of results. But why do certain websites appear at the top while others are buried on page 10? Backlinks are a major reason. 

Google’s algorithm has over 200 ranking factors, but backlinks remain one of the top three most influential (Source: Moz). In fact, 91% of websites don’t get traffic from Google simply because they lack backlinks (Source: Ahrefs).

So, how do backlinks in seo affect rankings, and what makes a good backlink strategy? Let’s break it down.

1. How Backlinks Affect Rankings: The SEO Connection

Backlinks—also known as “inbound links”—are links from other websites pointing to yours. Google sees each backlink as a vote of confidence, indicating that your content is valuable.

The Role of Backlinks in Google’s Algorithm

When a high-authority website links to yours, Google trusts your content more and ranks it higher. Websites with a strong backlink profile rank 3.8 times higher than those with fewer backlinks (Source: Backlinko).

Example: Suppose a fitness brand gets a backlink from Men’s Health Magazine. Google assumes the brand is reputable, which boosts its ranking.

But not all backlinks are good. Let’s explore the difference between high-quality and low-quality backlinks in Digital marketing.

2. Good vs. Bad Backlinks: What You Need to Know

Not all backlinks are created equal. there are some Backlinks Types in SEO can skyrocket your rankings, while others can lead to penalties.

Good Backlinks (Boost Your SEO)

• From high-authority sites (e.g., Forbes, HubSpot)
• Relevant to your niche
• Earned naturally (not paid or manipulated)
• From unique referring domains

Bad Backlinks (Hurt Your SEO)

• Spammy backlinks from shady directories
• Paid backlinks (Google’s algorithms detect and penalize these)
• Backlinks from irrelevant sites (e.g., a tech blog linking to a bakery)
• Toxic Backlinks in seo

Fact: In 2021, Google launched SpamBrain, an AI-powered system that detected and neutralized over 40 billion spammy backlinks daily (Source: Google Search Central).

3. Proven Link Building Strategies for 2025

So, how do you get high-quality backlinks? Here are five proven Backlinks SEO Strategy to build a strong backlink profile:

a) Guest Blogging on High-Authority Websites

One effective strategy for obtaining backlinks from trustworthy websites is guest posting.

Here is an example: 

A new company that provides SEO services can include a backlink to its website in a guest article that is published in Search Engine Journal.

Advice: To get the most impact, look for websites with a high DA (Domain Authority). Use tools like Moz or Ahrefs to check DA scores.

b) Creating Shareable, Link-Worthy Content

Want backlinks? Create content that people WANT to link to!

Examples of link-worthy content:

• Data-driven case studies (e.g., “How We Increased Organic Traffic by 300%”)
• Infographics (These get 3x more backlinks than regular blog posts—Source: Venngage)
• Ultimate Guides (Comprehensive resources tend to get more backlinks)

c) Broken Link Building: Turn 404s into Gold

Find broken links on high-authority websites and suggest your link as a replacement.

Example: If HubSpot has a broken link about “SEO marketing”, you can email them, pointing it out, and suggest you relevant article as a replacement.

d) HARO & Digital PR: Get Featured on Big Sites

Platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) connect businesses with journalists looking for expert quotes. This is an easy way to get backlinks from sites like Forbes, Business Insider, or Entrepreneur.

e) Local SEO & Business Listings

For businesses targeting local markets, local citations and backlinks from directories like Google My Business, Yelp, and industry-specific associations can boost SEO.

4. Common Link Building Mistakes to Avoid

While link-building strategies can boost rankings, many businesses make costly mistakes:

• Buying Links – Google penalizes sites that purchase backlinks.
• Overusing Exact Match Anchor Text – Using the same keyword repeatedly makes links look unnatural.
• Ignoring Internal Links – Backlinks are great, but internal linking improves SEO too!
• Focusing on Quantity Over Quality – 100 spammy links won’t help, but 10 quality links will.

5. How to Measure Your Backlink Success

How do you know if your link-building strategies are working?

Track these key SEO metrics:

• Domain Authority (DA) / Domain Rating (DR) – Measures website credibility (Use Moz or Ahrefs).
• Referring Domains – The number of unique sites linking to yours (More is better!).
• Organic Traffic from Backlinks – Use Google Analytics to see how much traffic comes from linked sites.
• Anchor Text Analysis – Ensure a natural mix of branded and keyword-rich anchor text.

6. The Role of an SEO Company: Why Businesses Need Experts

Link building is time-consuming and complex. That’s where SEO companies come in.

An expert SEO company can help businesses:
✔ Identify high-authority backlink opportunities
✔ Build white-hat links (avoiding penalties)
✔ Monitor backlink quality and remove spammy links
✔ Execute on-page SEO and off page SEO strategies for long-term growth

Do you know what is the reason for many businesses failing to rank? They don’t invest in expert SEO services. If you want sustainable SEO success, teaming up with professionals is the best way forward.

The Ending Note 

Here is a kicker: SEO is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Backlinks are one of the most powerful assets for SEO Ranking Factors and long-term growth. So, what do you want? 

• Rank higher on Google? Give precedence to quality backlinks.
• Want sustainable SEO results? Avoid black-hat tactics.
• Want expert guidance? Team up with a trusted SEO company in Ahmedabad.

At Eta Solution, we have a knack for SEO services. We help businesses implement ROI-driven link-building strategies that bring them the spotlight. If you’re ready to skyrocket your rankings with high-quality backlinks, let’s talk!