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How To Backlink Correctly

Learning how to backlink correctly can drastically improve your search engines’ performance, so getting them right is essential. Backlinks are when another website includes a link that leads users to your pages, and they are generally considered to be one of the most vital factors when a search engine ranks your value. However, not all…
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Learning how to backlink correctly can drastically improve your search engines’ performance, so getting them right is essential. Backlinks are when another website includes a link that leads users to your pages, and they are generally considered to be one of the most vital factors when a search engine ranks your value. However, not all backlinks are the same. Ideally, you want your backlinks to come from websites with authority, as these will help to improve your own. It can take time to get the high-quality backlinks that you need, but they might not be as tricky to get as you might think.

Is Backlinking illegal?

Some people think that backlinking is somehow illegal, but it certainly isn’t. However, there are types of Google site backlinks that will result in punishment from search engines. These include:

  • Link Exchanges
  • Using Blog Networks
  • Paid Links
  • Article Directories
  • Backlinks from websites in a different language

These are just a sample of the backlinks that Google doesn’t like to see. So the answer isn’t that backlinks are illegal, but rather that Google has become very good at identifying dodgy practices. Avoid them at all costs.

Backlinking the Right Way

When it comes to taking practical steps to identify how to backlink correctly, the good news is that you have plenty of options. Some of these actions will have a hugely positive effect on your backlink building, and the result will be a significantly improved performance on SERPs.

1: Broken Link Building

This is one of the best ways to start with your link building strategy. All you have to do is identify a website that you believe will provide you with high levels of authority, and then go through their website to identify any broken links that they have. To do this, simply type in your main SEO keyword into Google’s search bar and add the word ‘links. You can also try replacing the word ‘links’ with ‘resources’ or ‘inurl:links’. Then, install the Google Chrome plugin ‘Check My Links’. This will then identify any broken links on those pages. Then it’s simply a matter of contacting the owner of that site, alerting them to the links that lead nowhere, and offering your own content as an alternative. You’re going to be doing that website a favor, so it’s incredibly effective.

2: Infographics Backlinks

You’re probably aware of infographics’ value for SEO but may not have considered their value as a backlink builder. The key to knowing how to backlink correctly is knowing what other websites will want from you, and infographics are very highly valued. Use a professional to design your infographics and follow the standard rules for infographic creation (be of high value, relevant, interesting). Once done, use the Siege Media generator to create code that can be embedded in the infographic and start sending it to sites and media outlets that are relevant. Website owners love infographics because search engines love them.

3: Guest Articles

Google backlinks are extremely high value, and that means you need to start looking at creating guest articles for other websites alongside the content that you create for your own. Obviously, you need those sites to be of high value and to have high levels of authority. However, by guest posting on other sites, you don’t just have the means to create a backlink to your own site (usually via your bio section). Still, you’re also expanding your personal reach, establishing your own authority, and increasing the audience numbers who will learn about you. Try Googling your keywords alongside the words’ write for us’, ‘contribute’, or ‘now accepting guest posts’. This can give you a good list of sites to contact.

4: Competitor Research

When It comes to keeping ahead of your competition, you need to know what they’re up to and how they are doing their own backlinking. A good Google SEO backlink strategy is to set up alerts that let you know when your main competitors are posting new content. By doing so, you can keep a closer eye on what backlinks are working for them and identify if they are making mistakes. There is a tool available called Monitor Backlinks that will send you a report every week highlighting any new links that your designated competitors have created. If you see that a competitor is featured on a good website, it’s worth contacting that site and discussing guest posts.

Next Steps

You should now be one step closer to knowing how to backlink correctly, but there is more that you can do. Try some of the following:

  • Do more content promotion
  • Write testimonials for any websites that you use regularly
  • Use journalists, influencers, and bloggers to spread the word about your business
  • Contact media outlets and YouTube channels that conduct interviews and make sure they know that you are available to discuss your niche subject

By combining all of the above techniques, your Google site backlinks will be far more widespread, more impactful, and your ranking on search engines will improve by a vast amount. Always remember to keep track of your backlinks, and only spend time on getting the high-quality links that will have value.

James Owen, Co-Founder & Head Of Search

James has been involved in SEO and digital marketing projects since 2007. James has led many SEO projects for well-known brands in Travel, Gaming and Retail such as Jackpotjoy, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels, Hotels.com, Expedia, Betway, Gumtree, 888, Ax Paris, Ebyuer, Ebay, Hotels combined, Smyths toys, love honey and Pearson to name a few. James has also been a speaker at SEO and digital marketing conferences and events such as Brighton SEO.

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