Link Building: What Is Still Working in 2023?

Are backlinks still important for ranking in 2023?

This is a question that many SEO experts and website owners have been asking themselves as the digital landscape continues to evolve.

This article will explore the current state of link-building and discuss what strategies are still effective in 2023.

Are you ready? Let's dive in!

The Importance of Backlinks

Backlinks, also known as inbound links, are hyperlinks from other websites that direct users to your site.

Source: Moz

They have been a fundamental aspect of SEO since its inception and will probably continue to play a crucial role in determining a website's ranking on search engines.

In fact, there's a business of million-dollar companies built around buying and selling links to boost website rankings.

But with the constant updates in search engine algorithms and the rise of other ranking factors, such as user experience, voice search, and mobile-friendliness, some have speculated that backlinks may lose their importance in the future.

So, is link-building still relevant in 2023? The answer is yes.

However, with the rise of new technologies and search engine algorithms, the role of backlinks in SEO has probably shifted.

What Has Changed?

In the past, backlinks were primarily used to indicate the credibility and authority of a website.

The more backlinks a site had, especially from high-authority sites, the higher it would rank on search engine results pages.

But over the years, search engines have become more sophisticated and now consider various factors in ranking a website.

For instance, user experience and engagement metrics such as click-through rates and bounce rates are now taken into account.

This means that even if a site has a high number of backlinks, it may not rank well if users do not find it valuable or relevant.

Additionally, search engines have become better at detecting and penalizing spammy or low-quality backlinks.

These changes have made it essential for websites to focus on earning high-quality backlinks rather than just a sheer number of them.

What Strategies Are Still Effective?

Source: Smarty.marketing

According to the wider pool of the state of the link-building industry 2023, the most effective ways to build links are:

• Guest Blogging

• Linkable Content

• Forums and Q&A Sites

• Link Exchanges

Guest Blogging

Guest blogging involves writing and publishing articles on other websites in exchange for increased visibility to your site. In fact, often you can add a link back to your content.

This strategy is still effective, but the key is to focus on relevant and authoritative sites instead of just any site that allows guest posts.

To find potential guest blogging opportunities, you can use tools like BuzzSumo or simply search for "guest post guidelines", or "write for us" directly in Google.

When pitching to a site, make sure to read and follow their guidelines closely. This will increase your chances of getting accepted and also show that you respect the site's rules and values quality content.

Guest blogging not only helps with building backlinks, but it also allows you to reach a wider audience and showcase your expertise on a topic.

When writing a guest post, always aim to provide valuable and unique content that will benefit the readers of the site.

Another advantage of guest blogging is the opportunity to network and build relationships with other bloggers and website owners in your niche. By collaborating with others, you can learn from their experiences and potentially gain new followers or readers for your own site.

However, it's important to remember that guest blogging should not be solely about promoting your own site. It's also about adding value to the host site and its audience.

Therefore, avoid overly promotional content and instead focus on providing helpful information and insights.

Linkable Content

Linkable content refers to any type of content that is valuable, relevant, and share-worthy. This can include blog articles, infographics, videos, or guides.

The key to creating content assets is to focus on quality rather than quantity. Instead of producing a large volume of mediocre content, aim for fewer but high-quality pieces that will attract backlinks naturally.

To create content that people are happy to link to, you can conduct research on popular topics in your niche and provide a unique perspective or add new information.

You can also collaborate with other experts or influencers to create even more valuable content that will likely be shared and linked to by their followers.

Another strategy is to use data-driven content, such as surveys or case studies, which can provide valuable insights and attract backlinks from other websites looking to cite your research.

To find content ideas, you can also use tools like BuzzSumo or Google Trends to see what topics are currently trending or creating buzz in your industry.

Remember, linkable content is not just about getting backlinks for SEO purposes, but it should also provide value to your audience and establish your brand as a thought leader in your niche.

If you have decided on a topic, try researching on Google and look at the first results. See what they have missed and how you can provide a better version of the same subject.

Also, make sure to optimize your copy by including relevant keywords, creating catchy headlines, and using visual elements like images or videos to make it more engaging.

Forums and Q&A Sites

Forums and question-and-answer (Q&A) sites are still great places to expand your online visibility.

These platforms allow you to interact with a community of like-minded individuals and provide helpful insights or solutions to their questions.

The key is to actively engage in discussions and provide useful information rather than just dropping links. And, if your website or content is relevant to the discussion, you can include a link as a source or reference.

Additionally, some forums and Q&A sites also allow for profile creation where you can add a bio and links to your website or social media accounts. This serves as an additional opportunity to drive traffic to your business.

For example, Quora and Reddit are popular Q&A sites where you can participate in discussions related to your niche and include links to relevant content.

Another benefit of forums and Q&A sites is the potential for a high volume of traffic.

If a question or discussion becomes popular, it can generate a significant amount of views and clicks on your link.

Apart from building backlinks, forums, and Q&A sites can also serve as a source of inspiration for content ideas.

For example, if you are running a blog about personal finance and trading, you can browse through relevant questions and see what topics people are interested in learning more about. By keeping an eye on the trending subject and questions being asked, you can create content that addresses these issues and provides valuable insights to your audience.

Moreover, participating in discussions on forums and Q&A sites allows you to establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

When providing helpful answers or solutions, you are showcasing your expertise and knowledge, which can lead to building trust with the community. This, in turn, can attract potential customers or clients who see you as a reliable source of information.

In addition to forums and Q&A sites, social media groups related to your niche can also be a valuable platform for building your brand and driving traffic to your website.

Link Exchanges

Even if link exchanges are against Google guidelines, they are still a common practice in the digital world.

Link exchanges refer to the mutual exchange of links between two websites, where each site includes a link to the other on its own website. The idea behind this is that both websites will benefit from increased traffic and improved search engine ranking.

While this strategy can be effective in building backlinks, it's important to approach it carefully.

Firstly, make sure the website you are exchanging links with is relevant and authoritative.

Also, avoid participating in any link schemes or buying links, as again, this goes against Google's guidelines and can result in penalties.

Instead, focus on building genuine relationships with other websites and offering valuable content that they would want to link back to.

Additionally, consider utilizing social media platforms as a way to build relationships and potentially generate organic backlinks. This can be done by engaging with other users and brands, sharing valuable content, and collaborating on projects or campaigns.

Remember, quality over quantity is important when it comes to link exchanges. A few high-quality, relevant backlinks will be much more beneficial than a large number of low-quality ones.

You can also join Slack groups, forums, and other online communities related to your industry to connect with like-minded individuals and potentially exchange links.

Takeaways

Link building in 2023 is still an important aspect of SEO and digital marketing.

While some strategies may have become less effective due to constant updates in search engine algorithms, there are still plenty of ways to build high-quality backlinks.

Focus on creating linkable content that provides value and attracts natural backlinks.

Utilize forums, Q&A sites, social media groups, and online communities to engage with your target audience and build relationships that can lead to backlinks.

Be cautious when participating in link exchanges and prioritize quality over quantity.