Sep 7, 2021

What are the different types of backlinks for SEO?

Backlinking is the act of using anchor words to direct a reader to another website and vice versa. This can be an effective tool when trying to organically grow your SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). When it comes to backlinking in SEO, your website will essentially form its own Linking Profile. There are many contributing factors that establish the integrity of your Linking Profile, all things that you can have control over.

Starting with the diversity of backlinking source domains, the principle of quality over quantity applies. Having 50 backlinks from high-quality, relevant sources is considerably more valuable and effective than having 500 backlinks from low-ranking, unrelated sites. A ratio of dofollow and nofollow backlinks can also add to the authenticity of your Linking Profile.

Google can determine the merit of your website by detecting backlinks from authoritative sources however, these sources should be of some relevance to your niche. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to have a farming website backlink to your interior design homepage.

Citation backlinks

Citation backlinking is highly dependent on the consistency of your NAP (Name, Address & Phone Number), and can benefit your local SEO. When Google sees your website/business listed on trusted local directories, and your NAP is displayed upon a google search, there is more certainty around the legitimacy of your business. If there is an inconsistent record of contact information, this could confuse Google and possibly be detrimental to your SEO progress. By having this validity recognition, your website will be higher ranking than your local competitors.

Web 2.0 backlinks

Another off-page SEO booster is creating web 2.0 backlinks, although this may be a long- winded task, it’s one of the most cost-effective. Using social micro-blogging platforms, you can create other websites and post content that compliments and provides backlinks to your original URL (within the same niche preferably). Being able to manage these websites internally adds to the number of reliable and relevant sources providing valid backlinks. Trusted web 2.0 platforms include pages or profiles made on certified websites such as WordPress, Wix, or Blogger.

While this SEO strategy won’t work alone, it can certainly support other marketing tools you may be utilising. Less is more when it comes to creating these sub-websites, if Google recognises too many, they could be perceived as spam and your legitimacy ranking could be compromised.

Social bookmarking backlinks

With the advancing world of social media, there are more resources than ever to create and share content. However, recently algorithms have changed the way engagement is ranked. It’s no longer solely about the number of likes, comments, and shares; the act of bookmarking content is now accounted for. More often than not, when a consumer bookmarks a post, the information it provides is deemed valuable, therefore ranking your website higher on the SEO ladder.

Creating social profiles for your website can also enhance your online presence by providing your followers with easy and accessible links to share and save. Bookmarking websites are essentially any platform that allows you to bookmark a link online and access it from your account on any device, for example, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

A backlink can be inserted anywhere on your social media for it to be effective in SEO, it can be in your profile biography, or in the caption of a post. Google considers social media platforms dependable sources and consequently can impact your credibility ranking.

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