Depending on who you ask, links are either the best or worst thing Backlink to happen to the internet. But no matter your thoughts on the topic, when done right, building backlinks can drastically improve your search engine rankings.
But first, a short primer on links.Why links matter to your online presence
Links are beneficial for everyone, from freelance writers to content marketers.
Here are just a few of the reasons you might use links:Source attributionDirect readers to additional resources they might enjoyContinue your thought by sending people to articles that might spark further conversationHighlight what you’ve written previously by including links to past contentHelps you build “link juice” by linking to relevant, high-quality sites in your content
But it isn’t all about the good parts, and there’s a dark side to the endless pursuit of backlinks as well. If people know you best for begging for links, you’re doing something wrong. And if the only interaction you have with people is when you ask them to link to your content, you might be tarnishing your reputation on a daily basis.
Is there a difference between backlinks or links?
Nope. But you’ll probably notice that people who make a living out of SEO are very earnest about referring to links as backlinks.
A backlink or link connects one website or blog to the next site or page or social profile or anything else they feel is important to share at that moment. So when you see this underlined bit of text in a different color linking to my website, you know that it’s a working link.Why do you need links?
If you want to build up your online credibility with Google and other major search engines, you’ll want a lot of backlinks. In many ways, Google judges your site based on how many other sites link to it. While there’s complicated website wizardry and algorithms involved, the bottom line is that quality backlinks boost your SEO rankings.What are quality links anyway?
While all links are desirable, some are more appealing than others, especially a backlink from a top-ranking site. For instance, would you prefer a backlink from iphoneinfo.com or the homepage of Apple.com?
Even without knowing the ins and outs of quality linking, you no doubt automatically know which one you’d choose. In case this is news to you, you can check a site’s online credibility with an online tool called Alexa. Type in the site in question and find out how they rank in comparison to other sites by using Alexa’s tools and resources.Is it OK to ask for a backlink?
Is it rude or acceptable to ask for a link? The short answer is yes to both. When done incorrectly, it can be extremely annoying when people request a backlink. But when done correctly, it’s a great strategy that can be beneficial to both sites.
One of the more frustrating aspects of having your byline out there is having people send bait and switch emails to try to get you to link back to them.
I write for some pretty high-profile outlets and tend to get a lot of feedback. Some do everything from sending LinkedIn connection requests or aggressively follow my social media accounts. Some might mention an article I’ve written and tell me how much they like my blog. But a quick glance at the site in question makes it clear it isn’t my blog at all, but a news site. They’re feigning interest to get me to link to their content—but in this case, flattery does not get you everywhere.
That said, it’s fine to request a backlink, as long as you do it respectfully and in a way that makes sense to the person you’ve asked as well.
4 ways to respectfully ask for a backlinkDo your research first. Be clear about what you’re asking for. If the article appears on a news site, it’s unlikely a freelancer will update it simply to get you the link. But if you’re offering information that wasn’t previously available or a product that might be perfect for a round-up, there’s a chance they’ll say yes.Offer a backlink in return. if you manage a credible and highly trafficked site, the return link might be appreciated.Be transparent. Starting an email with one thing before shifting to ask for a link comes across as untrustworthy and sleazy.Ask the right person. I can’t begin to tell you how many people will send me a link to an article written by someone else and ask for a link.Pay attention to potentially sketchy services
If you’ve decided to build up your backlinks, you might be tempted to use a service to help with the process.
“Many people fall prey to questionable backlink services that put your link on a Private Blog Network (PBN) and feel they have done their job,” said Kolleen Shallcross, owner, Shallcross Web Design.
Shallcross said that the problem with artificially inflated links created when you use a PBN is that “search engines are getting smarter and can spot PBNs and spammy sites. Paid links are supposed to carry the ‘rel=’sponsored’ tag and many do not. Cheap or even expensive paid backlinks can end up with a “rel=’nofollow’ “ and be rendered useless after an initial period, with the website owner extorting you for more money to put it back to a do-follow link.”
Worth noting, I previously interviewed Shallcross for a post in my Meet the Teamlancers series. That story ran in January 2021 and I noticed that, for months afterward, there was a noticeable increase in social media shares. Shallcross managed to attract more link-sharing than nearly any other article I’ve written. This is because she has an impressive link-building strategy that she graciously offered to help us understand.2. Do targeted outreach
Contact a niche market and simply ask. Believe it or not, it’s not creepy to simply find a site with a similar outlook or ethos to your own and start a conversation about exchanging links. Shallcross said, “This is part of creating relationships with legitimate site owners that will benefit from an outlink to another legitimate site.”3. Use social media to find opportunities
Look for interview opportunities with industry groups on LinkedIn or Facebook. If you’re truly an expert on a topic and can clearly articulate your thoughts and offer helpful advice, you could be a desired expert. And that will probably get you some links back to your website.4. Look on-campus
Sponsor a college club. Shallcross suggested doing something charitable, like creating a $500 scholarship to get a link from an .edu website. Consider starting with your alma mater.5. Go the Q&A route
Answer people’s questions in forums or Q&A sites. If you’ve ever noticed prolific commenters on sites like Quora or even Reddit, some of them are in it for the links alone.
“Granted, this was much more popular years ago, but there are still opportunities there,” Shallcross added.6. Become an expert source
HARO and other reporter outreach sites offer great opportunities for link-building. I know that I’m always looking for sources to quote in my stories, and there are loads of aggregate sites where journalist queries are posted. Start responding and offering tips or advice that make you quotable. One caveat, if you’re not an expert, don’t force it.7. Get listed
Look for industry publications, listings, and directories. Shallcross said that these are still a great place to begin building your backlink profile. Some are paid, and some are free.8. Become a featured vendor
Get your suppliers to list you on their site as a preferred vendor. Sometimes all you have to do is ask!9. Create great social content
Create some great content on social sites, such as a LinkedIn article or a YouTube video. Shallcross explained that even though these are not direct “follow” links, they still count in the overall picture of how your website’s authority is measured.10. Make a widget
Create a website widget (WordPress, Shopify, etc.). This one is a bit more technical, but Shallcross explained that by doing this, you’ll have your link display for the free users.11. Write a white paper
Write a white paper on your industry that will get shared in your niche. Create a think piece or survey that not only shows off your knowledge and skillset, but also gains a link back to your site.Consider hiring a link-building expert
You don’t have to handle every aspect of your link building.
“There is a big difference between paying for backlinks or paying someone for their time to procure legitimate unpaid backlinks.”
Besides, it takes a lot of time to be able to research the right kind of potential linking partner and to also understand the value of the hoped-for link.