{"id":6806,"date":"2026-07-09T18:20:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T08:20:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/?p=6806"},"modified":"2026-07-09T18:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T08:21:11","slug":"what-are-backlinks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Backlinks? A Practical Guide to Building Links That Rank"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">A backlink is a link from one website to another. When another site points a link at one of your pages, that link is a backlink for you, also called an inbound link or incoming link.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Backlinks matter because search engines read them as signals of trust. If reputable sites link to your content, Google takes that as a vote that the page is useful and worth showing to searchers. Links are also one of the ways real people find you, since a click on a link from another site sends referral traffic straight to your page.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This guide covers what backlinks are, how they work, what separates a good link from a risky one, the white-hat ways to earn them, and how to check and clean up your link profile. Backlinks are the main signal on the off-page side of SEO, so if you want the bigger picture beyond links, read our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-is-off-page-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">off-page SEO<\/span><\/a> and how it compares to <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/off-page-vs-on-page-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">on-page versus off-page work<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac1ec9d66ba3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ac1ec9d66ba3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Why_backlinks_matter_for_SEO\" >Why backlinks matter for SEO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#How_backlinks_work_link_equity_and_authority\" >How backlinks work: link equity and authority<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Types_of_backlinks\" >Types of backlinks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#What_makes_a_high-quality_backlink\" >What makes a high-quality backlink<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Here_is_a_quick_comparison_of_the_two_ends_of_the_spectrum\" >Here is a quick comparison of the two ends of the spectrum.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#White-hat_ways_to_earn_backlinks\" >White-hat ways to earn backlinks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#What_to_avoid_link_schemes_and_Googles_spam_policies\" >What to avoid: link schemes and Google&#8217;s spam policies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#How_to_check_your_backlinks\" >How to check your backlinks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Disavow_basics\" >Disavow basics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Are_backlinks_still_important_for_SEO_in_2026\" >Are backlinks still important for SEO in 2026?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#How_many_backlinks_do_I_need_to_rank\" >How many backlinks do I need to rank?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Do_nofollow_links_help_SEO\" >Do nofollow links help SEO?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#What_is_the_difference_between_a_backlink_and_an_internal_link\" >What is the difference between a backlink and an internal link?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Can_bad_backlinks_hurt_my_rankings\" >Can bad backlinks hurt my rankings?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#How_long_does_link_building_take_to_show_results\" >How long does link building take to show results?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Should_I_buy_backlinks\" >Should I buy backlinks?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-are-backlinks\/#Turn_backlinks_into_rankings\" >Turn backlinks into rankings<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_backlinks_matter_for_SEO\"><\/span>Why backlinks matter for SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Google has used links as a ranking input since the beginning. Its original PageRank algorithm, published by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, treated a link as an endorsement and used the pattern of links across the web to estimate how important a page was. The system has moved on a long way since then, but the core idea holds: a link from a trusted page still carries weight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Two things are worth being honest about here.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">First, links are one signal among many. Google has said repeatedly that its ranking systems use hundreds of signals, including content relevance, page experience, and user intent. A strong backlink profile will not rescue thin content, and the reverse is also true. Treat links as part of a wider plan rather than a shortcut.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Second, quality beats quantity, and it is not close. A single link from a respected industry publication can do more for you than dozens of links from low-value directories. Ahrefs has reported that the majority of pages on the web get no organic search traffic at all, and weak backlink profiles are a common reason. Chasing volume tends to build the wrong kind of profile.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">If you are new to the fundamentals, our explainer on <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-is-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">what SEO is<\/span><\/a> sets the scene before you go deeper on links.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_backlinks_work_link_equity_and_authority\"><\/span>How backlinks work: link equity and authority<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">When a page links to yours, it can pass along a portion of its own authority. SEOs call this link equity, and it traces back to that PageRank idea. A page with high authority can pass more equity through its links, and it does not lose anything by linking out. A link from a page that itself has many quality links is worth more than a link from an unknown page with none.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Not every link passes equity, though, and that is by design. Site owners can attach a rel attribute to a link that tells search engines how to treat it. There are four cases to know.<\/p>\n<table class=\"t1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Link attribute<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">HTML markup<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">What it tells Google<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td1\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Passes ranking credit?<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Follow (standard)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p4\">&lt;a href=&#8221;&#8230;&#8221;&gt;<span class=\"s2\"> (no rel)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">A normal editorial link<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Usually yes, though never guaranteed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Nofollow<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p4\">rel=&#8221;nofollow&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">The publisher does not vouch for the target<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Treated as a hint, generally no<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Sponsored<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p4\">rel=&#8221;sponsored&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">The link is paid or part of an ad or affiliate deal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td2\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">No<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td3\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">UGC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td3\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p4\">rel=&#8221;ugc&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td3\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">The link sits in user-generated content, like a comment or forum post<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td3\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">No<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"p1\">Since 2019, Google treats nofollow, sponsored, and ugc as hints rather than strict instructions, which means it may still use them to understand the web even when it does not pass full credit. A natural profile includes a mix of follow and nofollow links. A profile that is all follow links with commercial anchor text looks manufactured, which is the opposite of what you want.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_backlinks\"><\/span>Types of backlinks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Not all links are earned the same way. Knowing the common types helps you judge which are worth pursuing and which add little.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Editorial links.<\/b> A writer or publisher links to your page because it genuinely helps their reader. These are the most valuable and the hardest to get.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Guest post links.<\/b> You write an article for another site and include a relevant link back to yours. Useful when the publication is one your audience actually reads.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Business profile links.<\/b> Listings on platforms like your Google Business Profile, LinkedIn, or industry associations. Often nofollow, but they confirm your business exists and is consistent.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Local citation links.<\/b> Mentions of your business name, address, and phone number on local directories. These support local search in particular, which we cover under <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/search-engine-optimization-seo\/local-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">local SEO<\/span><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Directory links.<\/b> Listings in curated, reputable directories. Fine in moderation. Bulk low-quality directories are a red flag.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Digital PR and news links.<\/b> Coverage in media outlets that link back to your research, data, or commentary. High authority when you land them.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li5\"><b>Forum and comment links.<\/b> Almost always nofollow and easy to overdo. Genuine participation is fine, link dropping is not.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_makes_a_high-quality_backlink\"><\/span>What makes a high-quality backlink<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">If you only remember one section, make it this one. When you assess a potential link, weigh these factors.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Authority of the linking site.<\/b> A link from a well-established, trusted domain carries more weight than one from an unknown site.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Topical relevance.<\/b> A link from a site in your industry or a closely related one looks natural and counts for more than a link from an unrelated page.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Placement on the page.<\/b> A link inside the main body content, surrounded by relevant text, is stronger than one buried in a footer or sidebar.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Anchor text.<\/b> The clickable text of a link gives context. Descriptive, natural anchors are ideal. A page where most anchors are exact-match commercial phrases looks over-optimised and can invite trouble.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Real traffic.<\/b> A link on a page that people actually visit can send referral clicks, which is worth having on its own terms regardless of ranking effect.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Follow or nofollow.<\/b> Follow links can pass equity, but a healthy profile includes both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Here_is_a_quick_comparison_of_the_two_ends_of_the_spectrum\"><\/span>Here is a quick comparison of the two ends of the spectrum.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table class=\"t1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Signal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">High-quality backlink<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Low-quality or risky backlink<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Source<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Trusted, established site<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Spammy, thin, or unknown site<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Relevance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Same or related topic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Unrelated or random<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Placement<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">In-content, editorial<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Footer, sidebar, or hidden<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Anchor text<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Natural and descriptive<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Exact-match, repetitive, commercial<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">How it was obtained<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Earned or genuinely contributed<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td4\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Bought in bulk or auto-generated<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Traffic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">Sends real visitors<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"td5\" valign=\"top\">\n<p class=\"p3\">No human ever clicks<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"White-hat_ways_to_earn_backlinks\"><\/span>White-hat ways to earn backlinks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Earning links takes longer than buying them, but it is the only approach that holds up over time. These methods stay inside Google&#8217;s guidelines.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Digital PR.<\/b> Publish original data, surveys, or commentary that journalists want to cite, then pitch it to writers covering your industry. Original research is one of the strongest link magnets because reporters need numbers and sources.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Linkable assets.<\/b> Build genuinely useful resources: calculators, templates, in-depth guides, or free tools. People link to things worth referencing.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Guest posting done properly.<\/b> Contribute your best work to publications your customers read. Pitch a topic they have not covered, and accept one contextual link as the fair exchange rather than stuffing in several.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Journalist request platforms.<\/b> Services in the style of the old HARO connect you with reporters seeking a quotable source. A useful, specific reply can earn a link from a major outlet.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Broken link building.<\/b> Find broken links on relevant pages, then suggest your resource as a replacement. Response rates are higher because you are fixing a real problem for them.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Local citations.<\/b> Claim and keep consistent your listings on Google Business Profile, industry bodies, and reputable local directories. This supports local visibility more than raw ranking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">A tidy site makes all of this easier. Before you invest in link building, run through our <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/seo-checklist\/\"><span class=\"s1\">SEO checklist<\/span><\/a> so your pages are worth linking to and your <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-is-on-page-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">on-page SEO<\/span><\/a> is sorted.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_avoid_link_schemes_and_Googles_spam_policies\"><\/span>What to avoid: link schemes and Google&#8217;s spam policies<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Google&#8217;s link spam policy is clear that links intended to manipulate rankings can breach its guidelines. Getting caught can trigger a manual action, which can remove pages or a whole site from results until the problem is fixed. Steer clear of the following.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Buying or selling links that pass ranking credit.<\/b> Google is fine with paid links for advertising or sponsorship, but only if they carry a <span class=\"s3\">rel=&#8221;sponsored&#8221;<\/span> or <span class=\"s3\">rel=&#8221;nofollow&#8221;<\/span> attribute so they do not pass equity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Private blog networks (PBNs).<\/b> Networks of sites built only to link to each other and to clients. Google is good at detecting the footprints.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Over-optimised anchor text.<\/b> A profile where a large share of anchors are exact-match commercial phrases looks unnatural.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Large-scale article spinning or automated link generation.<\/b> Low-value content pushed out at scale to plant links.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Excessive low-quality directory or bookmark links.<\/b> Bulk listings on sites that exist only to host links.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">The honest summary: if a tactic is designed purely to trick the algorithm rather than to help a reader, it carries risk. The safest link is one you would still want if search engines did not exist.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_check_your_backlinks\"><\/span>How to check your backlinks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">You cannot manage what you cannot see. A handful of tools let you audit who links to you and spot anything odd.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li3\"><b>Google Search Console.<\/b> Free, and the most trustworthy source for links Google actually knows about. The Links report shows your top linking sites and most linked pages.<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><b>Ahrefs, Semrush, and Moz.<\/b> Paid tools with larger link indexes, anchor-text breakdowns, and competitor comparison so you can see where rivals earn links you do not. We compare options in our roundup of the <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/best-seo-tools\/\"><span class=\"s1\">best SEO tools<\/span><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">When you review a profile, look at the mix of referring domains, the balance of follow and nofollow, the spread of anchor text, and whether any clusters of links share suspicious footprints. Pair this with a broader technical review using our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/what-is-technical-seo-a-complete-guide-for-2026\/\"><span class=\"s1\">technical SEO<\/span><\/a>, since crawlability and site health affect how much link value you actually capture.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Disavow_basics\"><\/span>Disavow basics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">The disavow tool lets you ask Google to ignore specific links pointing at your site. It is an advanced feature, and Google is direct that most sites never need it. Used carelessly, it can hurt your rankings by discarding links that were helping you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Reach for it in two situations: you have a manual action for unnatural links, or you have a clear pattern of spammy links you cannot get removed any other way, often left behind by past dodgy link building. Before disavowing, make a genuine effort to have the worst links taken down at the source. Blindly dumping every link into a disavow file is not treated as good faith.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">When you do disavow, be specific. If a reputable site links from an odd page, disavow that URL rather than the whole domain. Keep the whole exercise conservative, because the downside of removing good links is worse than the upside of removing a few weak ones.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_backlinks_still_important_for_SEO_in_2026\"><\/span><b>Are backlinks still important for SEO in 2026?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Yes. Links remain one of Google&#8217;s core ranking signals, though they work alongside content quality, relevance, and page experience rather than on their own. Quality and relevance matter far more than raw numbers.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_backlinks_do_I_need_to_rank\"><\/span><b>How many backlinks do I need to rank?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">There is no fixed number. It depends on how competitive the keyword is and how strong the linking sites are. A few links from authoritative, relevant sites can outperform hundreds of weak ones. Focus on quality of referring domains, not a target count.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_nofollow_links_help_SEO\"><\/span><b>Do nofollow links help SEO?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">They do not pass ranking credit the way follow links can, but they still belong in a natural profile, can drive referral traffic, and help Google understand the web around you. A profile made only of follow links looks manipulated.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_a_backlink_and_an_internal_link\"><\/span><b>What is the difference between a backlink and an internal link?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">A backlink comes from a different website and points to yours. An internal link connects two pages on the same site. Both matter, but they play different roles: backlinks build external trust, internal links spread that value around your own pages.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_bad_backlinks_hurt_my_rankings\"><\/span><b>Can bad backlinks hurt my rankings?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Most low-quality links are simply ignored by Google. A deliberate pattern of manipulative links can trigger a manual action. If you find such a pattern you cannot clean up, the disavow tool is the last resort.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_does_link_building_take_to_show_results\"><\/span><b>How long does link building take to show results?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Expect a few months. New sites often need three to six months of consistent effort before links move the needle, because Google needs time to crawl and weigh them and because rankings shift gradually.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_buy_backlinks\"><\/span><b>Should I buy backlinks?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">No, not links that pass ranking credit. Buying links to manipulate rankings breaches Google&#8217;s spam policies and risks a penalty. Paid placements are fine only when tagged as sponsored or nofollow, which means they will not pass equity anyway.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Turn_backlinks_into_rankings\"><\/span>Turn backlinks into rankings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Backlinks reward patience and good content over shortcuts. Earn links from relevant, trusted sites, keep your anchor text natural, avoid schemes, and check your profile regularly. Done this way, links compound into lasting visibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">If you would rather have a team handle the strategy and outreach, our <a href=\"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/search-engine-optimization-seo\/\"><span class=\"s1\">SEO services<\/span><\/a> cover link building alongside the content and technical work that makes those links count. Get in touch for a look at where your link profile stands and where the opportunities are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A backlink is a link from one website to another. When another site points a link at one of your pages, that link is a backlink for you, also called an inbound link or incoming link. Backlinks matter because search engines read them as signals of trust. If reputable sites link to your content, Google [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6807,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6806"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6806\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mediaplusdigital.co\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}