What Are Backlinks in SEO & How to Get Them?

In the world of digital marketing, backlinks in SEO are one of the most important ranking factors for search engines like Google. As an SEO agency in India, Digiwalebabu has seen how powerful backlinks can be for boosting a website’s organic traffic, building authority, and improving visibility in search results. But what exactly are backlinks, and how do you get them effectively without violating search engine guidelines?

This article explains everything you need to know about backlinks in SEO—their definition, importance, types, strategies to acquire them, common mistakes to avoid, and best practices.

What Are Backlinks in SEO?

Backlinks in SEO are links from one website to another. When another site links to your webpage, that link acts as a “vote of confidence” for your content. Search engines like Google interpret backlinks as a signal of credibility, authority, and relevance.

Example:

• If a reputed news portal like Times of India links to Digiwalebabu’s blog on SEO, Google sees it as a positive signal, indicating that our content is trustworthy.

Why Are Backlinks Important for SEO?

Backlinks are not just links; they are signals that shape your website’s authority. Google’s algorithm, especially the PageRank system, relies heavily on backlinks.

Benefits of Backlinks:

• Boost Rankings: The more quality backlinks you have, the higher your chances of ranking on the first page.
• Drive Referral Traffic: Backlinks also bring direct traffic from external sites.
• Improve Domain Authority (DA): Consistent link-building improves overall website strength.
• Faster Indexing: Google bots discover new content through links.
• Brand Exposure: Backlinks from top sites improve brand awareness.

Types of Backlinks in SEO

Not all backlinks in SEO carry the same weight. Some links significantly boost rankings, while others may harm your site if they come from spammy sources. Understanding the different types of backlinks helps you build a strong and healthy link profile.

1. Do-Follow Backlinks

Do-Follow backlinks are the most valuable type of links in SEO. These links allow search engines to pass “link juice” from one website to another, boosting the authority of the linked page. When high-quality websites give you do-follow backlinks, it directly helps improve your rankings on Google.

Key Points:

• Pass SEO value (link juice).
• Help improve domain authority and search engine rankings.
• Essential for long-term SEO growth.

2. No-Follow Backlinks

No-Follow backlinks do not transfer link equity to your website. However, they still play an important role in driving referral traffic and increasing brand awareness. Many popular sites, including social media platforms and forums, use no-follow attributes to control link influence.

Key Points:

• Do not pass SEO value.
• Useful for traffic, visibility, and brand exposure.
• Common on platforms like Quora, Reddit, and social media sites.

3. High-Authority Backlinks

High-authority backlinks come from trusted domains like Forbes, HubSpot, government sites (.gov), and educational institutions (.edu). These backlinks are extremely valuable as they signal strong credibility and relevance to search engines, boosting your chances of ranking higher.

Key Points:

• Come from authoritative and trusted domains.
• Carry maximum SEO weight.
• Great for building long-term credibility.

4. Low-Quality Backlinks

Low-quality backlinks are links from spammy, irrelevant, or poor-quality websites. Instead of boosting rankings, they can harm your SEO efforts and even trigger Google penalties. It’s crucial to avoid such links or disavow them using Google Search Console.

Key Points:

• Come from irrelevant or spammy websites.
• Do not add value to SEO.
• Can lead to penalties and ranking drops.

5. Contextual Backlinks

Contextual backlinks are placed naturally within relevant content. They are more powerful than random or sidebar links because they provide context to both users and search engines. For example, if a blog about “digital marketing” links to Digiwalebabu’s SEO services page, it creates a strong contextual backlink.

Key Points:

• Placed within relevant content.
• Provide the most SEO value.
• Improve both user experience and search engine trust.

How to Get Backlinks in SEO?

Building backlinks in SEO requires patience, consistency, and the right strategy. At Digiwalebabu, we always recommend white-hat link-building techniques that focus on quality rather than quantity. Ethical backlink practices not only improve rankings but also ensure long-term growth without the risk of penalties.

Proven Strategies to Get Backlinks

1. Guest Posting

Guest posting is one of the most effective ways to earn backlinks. By contributing valuable content to authoritative websites in your niche, you can showcase your expertise while gaining a backlink to your own site.

• Write high-quality, original articles.
• Target industry-relevant blogs and media sites.
• Ensure backlinks are naturally placed within the content.

2. Broken Link Building

Broken link building involves identifying dead links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. It’s a win-win strategy because you help the site owner fix an issue while earning a backlink in return.

• Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find broken links.
• Create or suggest relevant replacement content.
• Reach out politely to the site owner with your recommendation.

3. Skyscraper Technique

The skyscraper technique is about creating content that’s better than existing high-ranking articles and then reaching out to websites linking to the original piece. This increases your chances of getting backlinks naturally.

• Research popular topics in your niche.
• Improve the content with updated data, visuals, or deeper insights.
• Promote it to websites already linking to similar resources.

4. Business Directories & Listings

Listing your business in reputable online directories is an easy way to get backlinks and improve local SEO. Platforms like Justdial, IndiaMart, and Clutch provide credibility and boost visibility.

• Submit accurate business information.
• Choose directories relevant to your niche.
• Focus on high-quality listings, not spammy ones.

5. HARO (Help a Reporter Out)

HARO connects journalists with experts. By answering queries, you can get featured in articles and secure backlinks from trusted news outlets.

• Sign up for HARO and monitor queries.
• Respond with expert, detailed insights.
• Earn backlinks from high-authority media sites.

6. Content Marketing

Publishing high-quality blogs, infographics, and videos naturally attracts backlinks. When people find your content useful, they reference it on their websites.

• Create evergreen, shareable content.
• Focus on guides, case studies, and data-driven posts.
• Use visuals and infographics to increase shareability.

7. Social Media Promotion

Social media doesn’t directly build do-follow backlinks, but promoting content on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook increases visibility and can attract organic backlinks from bloggers and websites.

• Share content consistently across platforms.
• Use trending hashtags and engage with communities.
• Encourage shares and discussions.

8. Testimonials

Many companies love publishing customer testimonials on their websites, often including a backlink to the reviewer’s site. Offering testimonials is a simple yet effective backlink strategy.

• Write genuine testimonials for products/services you use.
• Request a backlink along with your testimonial.
• Target high-authority companies in your industry.

Difference Between Good and Bad Backlinks

Factor	Good Backlinks	Bad Backlinks
Source	High-authority, relevant websites	Spammy, irrelevant sites
Anchor Text	Natural, keyword-relevant	Over-optimized or spammy
Traffic Impact	Brings referral traffic	No real traffic
Google Impact	Improves rankings	Can trigger penalties

Best Practices for Backlinks in SEO

Backlinks play a huge role in improving rankings, but not all strategies work equally well. To get long-term benefits, you must focus on ethical, white-hat methods that align with Google’s guidelines. Following best practices ensures your backlinks add value instead of risking penalties.

Key Best Practices

1. Focus on Quality Over Quantity

A few high-quality backlinks from trusted, authoritative websites are far more powerful than hundreds of links from irrelevant or low-quality sites. Always prioritize relevance and domain authority when building backlinks.

• Target industry-relevant websites.
• Prioritize DA/DR (Domain Authority/Domain Rating).
• Avoid mass link-building from low-quality sources.

2. Diversify Your Backlink Profile

Search engines prefer a natural mix of backlinks. Depending on only one type of backlink may look suspicious. A diverse backlink profile helps your site appear more trustworthy and stable.

• Include a mix of do-follow and no-follow links.
• Secure backlinks from blogs, directories, news sites, and forums.
• Build both contextual and branded links.

3. Avoid Paid or Spammy Links

Buying links or using automated link-building tools can trigger Google penalties. These spammy backlinks may give temporary boosts but damage your rankings in the long run.

• Never buy backlinks from link farms or PBNs.
• Avoid irrelevant websites with poor content.
• Use Google’s disavow tool for harmful backlinks.
  

4. Use Branded or Natural Anchor Texts

Over-optimized anchor texts (stuffed with keywords) can look spammy. Instead, use branded names, natural phrases, or partial keywords that blend with the content.

• Use variations of your brand name.
• Mix keyword-rich anchors with natural phrases.
• Avoid exact-match anchor text repetition.

5. Create Evergreen Content That Continuously Attracts Backlinks

Content that remains relevant over time continues to attract backlinks naturally. Guides, case studies, and original research are excellent for earning links even years after publication.

• Publish comprehensive “how-to” guides.
• Use infographics and data-driven studies.
• Update evergreen content regularly.

6. Regularly Audit Backlinks

Monitoring your backlink profile ensures you keep only the links that add value. Regular audits help identify toxic links that could harm rankings.

• Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console.
• Identify spammy or irrelevant backlinks.
• Disavow harmful links to maintain a clean profile.

Common Mistakes in Link Building

While backlinks are powerful for SEO, many websites fail to achieve results because they make critical mistakes in their link-building strategies. These errors not only reduce the effectiveness of backlinks but can also lead to penalties from Google. Avoiding these mistakes is essential for long-term SEO success.

Key Link Building Mistakes to Avoid

1. Buying Links from Private Networks (PBNs)

Many businesses try to speed up SEO by purchasing backlinks from private blog networks. While this may show short-term results, it is considered a black-hat tactic. Google’s algorithm is smart enough to detect PBNs, and using them can cause severe penalties.

• Risk of Google penalties.
• Links often come from low-quality, unrelated sites.
• No long-term SEO value.

2. Using the Same Keyword-Rich Anchor Text Repeatedly

Over-optimizing anchor texts with the same keywords makes your backlink profile look unnatural. Google prefers a mix of branded, generic, and partial-match anchors to maintain authenticity.

• Repeated anchor text looks spammy.
• Can trigger over-optimization penalties.
• Always diversify anchor text strategy.
  

3. Relying Only on One Type of Backlink

Depending solely on one source of backlinks—such as business directories—limits your SEO growth. A strong backlink profile needs diversity, with links from blogs, news sites, social platforms, and contextual content.

• Over-reliance reduces SEO strength.
• Signals manipulation to Google.
• Build a mix of contextual, editorial, and directory links.

4. Ignoring Relevance and Targeting Unrelated Niches

Backlinks work best when they come from websites related to your niche. Irrelevant links confuse search engines and weaken your authority. For example, a backlink from a cooking blog to an SEO agency offers no SEO value.

• Irrelevant backlinks add little or no authority.
• Reduce trust in your domain.
• Always target sites in your industry or niche.
  

5. Not Disavowing Harmful Backlinks

Over time, your site may accumulate spammy backlinks. If you don’t regularly review and disavow them, they can negatively impact your rankings. Using tools like Google Search Console to disavow harmful links is a must.

• Spammy links harm SEO health.
• Regular audits are necessary.
• Use Google’s disavow tool for toxic backlinks.

How Digiwalebabu Helps with Backlinks in SEO

As one of the best SEO companies in India, Digiwalebabu focuses on building ethical, white-hat backlinks that drive long-term results. Instead of relying on shortcuts or black-hat methods, we design strategies that boost authority, increase organic traffic, and protect your website from penalties. Our goal is to help businesses establish strong online visibility through high-quality link-building campaigns.

Our Backlink-Building Approach

1. Competitor Backlink Analysis

We start by analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles to identify their top-performing links. This helps us replicate the most effective backlinks while finding new opportunities for your website.

• Study competitor backlinks using advanced SEO tools.
• Replicate high-quality, niche-relevant links.
• Identify gaps and create stronger link opportunities.

2. Outreach Campaigns

Our outreach campaigns connect you with industry influencers, bloggers, and media websites. By building genuine relationships, we secure backlinks from credible sources that improve both rankings and brand exposure.

• Personalized outreach to relevant sites.
• Build long-term partnerships with industry experts.
• Gain backlinks from trusted blogs, portals, and media.

3. Content Creation

Content is at the heart of link-building. Our SEO writers craft engaging blogs, articles, and resources that naturally attract backlinks. High-quality content encourages other sites to reference and share your pages.

• Publish valuable and shareable content.
• Create data-driven blogs, infographics, and case studies.
• Naturally earn backlinks without forcing them.

4. Local SEO Link Building

For businesses targeting local customers, we focus on local SEO backlinks. By submitting your business to trusted directories, portals, and citation sites, we help improve both local visibility and rankings.

• Submit business to local directories like Justdial, Sulekha, and IndiaMart.
• Build NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency.
• Increase local search rankings and customer reach.

Step-by-Step Process of Backlink Building (Tabular Format)

Step	Action Plan	Outcome
1	Research competitor backlinks	Find high-value opportunities
2	Create valuable content	Attract organic backlinks
3	Outreach to relevant websites	Secure guest posts & mentions
4	Submit to business directories	Improve local visibility
5	Monitor backlinks with SEO tools	Track performance & disavow spam

People Also Ask About Backlinks in SEO

Final Thoughts

Backlinks in SEO are the backbone of higher search engine rankings. However, success lies not in the number of backlinks but in their quality, relevance, and authority. At Digiwalebabu, we believe in building backlinks the right way—through valuable content, genuine relationships, and ethical practices.

If you want to improve your website’s visibility, domain authority, and organic traffic, start focusing on strategic backlink building today.