The word backlink is one of the most commonly used terms in the world of search engine optimization (SEO) and remains an important part of content marketing. A backlink is just a link to another site using some kind of anchor text, which makes it sound simple when, in truth, there’s an art to developing a good backlink profile. According to Forbes, these links are crucial for staying relevant and adapting. So what is the big deal with backlinks and why are they so important?
In the big picture, backlinks demonstrate the placement of a particular piece of content inside the larger digital world. When a reputable website creates a link to your page, they are testifying to the quality of the information on your site. This will give your site a boost. But if you aren’t careful, a backlink from a poor site can negatively impact your site. This is where the importance of a backlink checker comes in.
The Role of Backlinks
According to a study based on the top 50 Google search results for about 15,000 keywords, there is a strong relationship between the number of links a site has and the rank of the site on the search engine. This same study also found that 99 percent of all websites found in the top results had at least one backlink back to their site. This provides definitive proof that the more external links from unique websites a site has, the greater impact it will have on their SEO rating. What the study doesn’t point out, however, is the quality of the backlinks. The type and quality of the site linking is an important piece of the backlink picture that will impact a site’s page authority and domain ranking.
Quality Matters
Not all backlinks are created equal, and watching out for your external links is very important. Toxic website owners might be liking to your site, and that could cause your site to be penalized if they are not removed. Being connected to spammy links could result in your page rank taking a hit in search results and diminishing the web traffic you see. When a search engine finds a link pointing to your site it will either count the link and improve your site’s rank, ignore the link as neutral, or penalize your site because of the quality of the link. Google has created guidelines on manipulative link building in order to help webmasters with backlink analysis and learn what kinds of low-quality links to avoid.
How to Use a Backlink Checker
A back link checker can assist with monitoring the source of backlinks to your page. This will allow you to take notice of any low-quality links that lead to your site. It could also give you an understanding of potential link building possibilities so that you can focus on gaining more high-quality backlinks that could boost your site’s domain authority. Monitoring which pages are providing high-quality backlinks will also give you a better idea of the content that is generating the most interest with your audience. When you take advantage of all the potential found in the backlink checker, it could be a resource that gives you considerable insight and can help you succeed. That being said, it is important to note that this is just one piece of your overall SEO success.
You will want to utilize a backlink checker that easily mixes with the rest of your overall SEO strategy. The checker will then be able to add immediate value to your SEO efforts. In the frequently competitive world of online publishing and marketing, you will want to make sure that you have all the insight you need to succeed. A backlink checker could provide you with important information about the strength of your SEO endeavors in attracting quality inbound links. A checker could also provide limited information about how much organic traffic leads people to read and appreciate your content. When you combine this with the power of the rest of your SEO strategy, you could gain immediate relevance and authority.