What is link building in SEO? It’s a big deal for website owners and marketers aiming to boost their site’s visibility and credibility.
In simple terms, link building is all about getting other websites to link back to yours, signaling to search engines that your content is worth ranking. The more high-quality links you have, the better your chances of climbing the search results.
Curious about how it works and why it matters? GetFound has you covered with everything you need to know about link building, from its role in SEO to how you can use it to strengthen your online presence.
What Is Link Building in SEO?
Link building in SEO refers to the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own.
These hyperlinks, commonly called backlinks, help search engines understand the relationships between different websites and determine a page’s relevance and authority.
For example, if a high-authority website links to your page, search engines may perceive your content as valuable, improving its chances of ranking higher in search results.
Types of Links in Link Building
When discussing what is link building in SEO, it’s important to recognize the different types of links:
When discussing what is link building in SEO, it’s essential to recognize the three primary types of links that influence a website’s structure and authority: inbound links (backlinks), outbound links, and internal links.
Each type serves a distinct purpose in how search engines assess and rank web pages.
1. Inbound Links (Backlinks)
Inbound links, commonly referred to as backlinks, are links from external websites that point to your site.
These links act as digital endorsements, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The more high-quality backlinks your site receives, the stronger its credibility in search engine rankings.
Example:
Imagine you own an e-commerce store selling eco-friendly products. If a well-known sustainability blog writes an article about your brand and includes a hyperlink to your homepage, that backlink signals to search engines that your website is reputable within your industry.
2. Outbound Links
Outbound links are hyperlinks on your website that direct visitors to external sites. These links help provide additional context, cite credible sources, and enhance user experience by guiding readers to valuable information outside your domain.
While outbound links don’t directly impact your SEO rankings, they contribute to a well-structured and informative website.
Example:
Suppose you run a health blog and reference a research study about nutrition. Including a hyperlink to the original research article improves credibility and provides users with verifiable information.
3. Internal Links
These links are essential for website navigation, distributing link equity, and improving user experience. Internal links are hyperlinks within your website that connect one page to another.
A well-structured internal linking strategy helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your website and ensures that important pages receive adequate visibility.
Example:
If you own a fashion blog and write an article about summer outfits, linking to a related post about “Top 10 Accessories for Summer” keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to explore more content.
Internal linking helps pass authority between pages, ensuring that high-value content is easily accessible to both users and search engines.
Also Read: The Importance of Noopener and Other Ways You Can Use It in SEO!
Link Attributes and Their Impact
When building links, different attributes determine how search engines like a Google interpret them:
Dofollow Links: Pass authority (link juice) from one site to another.
Example:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”dofollow”>Check out this article</a>
Nofollow Links: Do not pass authority but still contribute to traffic.
Example:
<a href=”https://example.com” rel=”nofollow”>Sponsored content</a>
UGC (User-Generated Content) & Sponsored Links: Indicate links from user-generated content or paid placements.
Examples of Link Building in Action
Understanding what is link building in SEO is easier with real-world examples.
Consider two websites:
- A has 500 backlinks from irrelevant directories.
- B has only 100 backlinks but from high-authority blogs.
Even with fewer backlinks, Website B has stronger authority because the quality of links matters more than quantity.
Common Link Building Techniques
To help clarify what is link building in SEO, here are some common techniques:
- Guest Blogging
Writing content for another website in exchange for a backlink.
- Broken Link Building
Finding and replacing broken links on external sites with your content.
- Directory Submissions
Adding your website to trusted directories for visibility.
- Content-Based Link Building
Creating high-quality content that naturally attracts links.
Stronger Links, Better Rankings—Let GetFound Help
Now that you’ve got a handle on what is link building in SEO, you can see how the right links can make a huge difference in your site’s visibility. It’s a key part of SEO that helps search engines recognize your site as trustworthy and authoritative.
Want to step up your link-building game? GetFound’s here to help you craft a strategy that works. Reach out today and start building links that actually boost your rankings!
