What Are Backlinks?
An essential component of search engine optimization is backlinks (SEO). They are inbound links that come from one website to another and are crucial for how search engines like Google and Bing rank websites in their search results. Quality backlinks are links that point to credible, authoritative websites and can help to increase your website’s visibility and search engine results.
It’s comparable to getting a thumbs-up signifying that another website approves of your blog post. Backlinks come from reputable, authoritative websites, and they should be relevant to the information on the page they are pointing to. learn more about backlinks in my post “How to build website traffic with backlinks“
Do You Need Backlinks?
There is no clear-cut answer, however, if you are using”longtail keywords” correctly, the answer is no. You do not need backlinks.
This is the whole purpose of targeting “Long tail Keywords“. You don’t need that extra “shove”, you should be ranking for them already. You might have heard that a “long tail keyword” is a phrase that should be about 3 to 4 words long. I personally think this is a robotic way of thinking and goes against the “google grain”
Google wanted the human touch in content and not the robot. So, for me, a long tail keyword simply means a phrase with low competition. Humans writing for humans. The more specific the heading, the better. Something like “Gardening Gloves for the Elderly Male”
Why Do We Want Backlinks?
The main reason many people look for backlinks is that they target more competitive search items. And more competitive search items mean your blog is more difficult to rank.
So you should look at it as if you are writing and not ranking and don’t think about backlinks, think about “long tail keywords”.
Look for keywords that have 10 or less “weak websites” that are ranking on Google on page 1, and if you write a half-decent article you will knock the competition out of the number 1 spot.
is writing the article or blog the hardest part/ Nope. The hardest part is learning how to do effective keyword research.
Remind me, What is a backlink?
A backlink is a thumbs up from someone else or a vote of confidence from another website interested in the same or similar topic.
If YOU have an external link to someone else, YOU are giving a thumbs up or backlink to that site.
As you are probably aware, there are two types of backlink. They are, “follow” and “no follow” There is also a thing called “Domain Authority” (find out more on my website) that relates to each page or post. This was not made by Google but by “Moz” It is a ranking system that goes from 0 to 10. The higher the number means the more authority or relevance that site has. This is what shows you the quality of the “backlink” If your website is given a backlink by another site that has a high Domain Authority, you get a good push up the rankings.
To check your websites “domain Authority for free, click here on “Moz, free domain ranking“
Follow and No Follow.
To go back, a “do follow” link will allow the website you have an external link to, can find and follow you back. a “no follow” is telling the search engine that you are linking to this external site but do not want to share information.
You want to have a mix of both follow and no follow as google may perceive you are trying to trick or manipulate their algorithm.
Also under “no follow’ you have 2 options, “no follow sponsored” and “no follow UGC” Sponsored means you have the potential to make a financial gain and UGC means it was created by a users group like “Quora“
How to get Backlinks with “Niche Edits”
For some people, including me, niche edits are the best backlinks you can get. This is when a website owner edits an existing article to include a link to your website. The great thing about “niche editing” is that the existing website is likely to have good “Domain Authority”
So how do you get backlinks from “niche editing” or established websites with some ‘Domain Authority” When you are looking to get backlinks don’t focus on yourself. Don’t say how great your article is or how you have learnt from the best, etc, etc. Focus on them, and what is in it for them.
First, you need to use a ‘broken Link Checker” Ahrefs broken link checker will do the trick. Once you have found the broken link related to a backlink you are interested in, you may wish to write an article that covers the subject before you approach the website owner.
If you can then provide the information that the broken link no longer does, then you have a good chance of getting that backlink. Once you have written the article, you need to get in touch with the website owner. (Below is a sample letter that you can change and use if you wish)
Broken Links Video.
Here is a short video from Ahrefs about broken links that may help.
Sample Letter.
Hi…..
Steve here, founder and owner of koolaffiliates .com
I’ve been an avid follower of your site for a few years now and simply love the content you put out.
Funnily enough, I wanted to learn a bit more about ( Topic ), so I thought, “I know I’ll pop over to …… site, he’s bound to have some great information”.
And you did.
Once again, another fantastic article, and I especially loved ………………
Anyway, I’ll get to the point, I noticed that you had a link about ………………..
I’m not sure if you’re aware, but this shows as a broken link.
I guess you know what’s coming, LOL, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get, right?
I’ve actually previously written about the ( Topic in question)
If you feel this covers all the points that you want it to, perhaps you could see your way to linking to my article instead.
At least this way you no longer have a broken link to this article, and your readers will be led to a site with relevant information.
Anyway, I won’t butter you up too much, but I’m certainly a big fan.
And if you think my article is a good fit to be linked to, then by all means please do so.
Keep up the great work and I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind Regards
Steve
Final Thoughts.
Using and obtaining backlinks is a skill and should not be rushed into. When you are first starting your website you do not need backlinks. Concentrate on your content and keywords and then look at backlinks.
Niche edits and the broken link method of getting free backlinks is in my opinion the best and easiest way to go. Remember, not everyone will respond positively and the web owner or webmaster may decline your offer. However, this has still given you a chance to get ideas from someone else’s site that you may be able to use in another article for you.
Stephen is a successful affiliate marketer with over 10 years of direct business experience and works with Wealthy Affiliate.
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