Good backlinks = better rankings. But they offer much more than that. Let\u2019s take a look at why they still matter in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the Importance of Backlinks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We obviously don\u2019t think link building is dead, even though many people have been claiming it for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is that without backlinks, search engines won\u2019t notice your website. If no other sites link to yours, it\u2019s almost like your site doesn\u2019t exist. That\u2019s because Google\u2019s crawler uses backlinks to find new web pages. It moves from page to page by following links, so without any pointing to yours, it\u2019s easy to stay invisible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it doesn’t stop there: backlinks boost your website’s visibility and help it rank higher in search results. It’s a proven fact. Backlinko’s research found that the number of domains linking to a page is a key factor in Google rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, to sum up, backlinks help to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ultimately, it all comes down to this: backlinks boost your SEO, bring more visitors to your site, and can lead to higher sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But to rank well, you need more than just any backlinks\u2014you need the right ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019re all on the same page about the importance of backlinks, let\u2019s understand what makes a good and bad backlink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The backlinks that actually help your SEO are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When building backlinks, ensure they’re relevant to your business. For example, if you’re promoting a project management software, a backlink from a food blog won’t be helpful. Instead, get backlinks from tech blogs or related niches, as they are more likely to bring the right audience to your website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next important thing is to make sure all your good backlinks are dofollow. These links tell search engines to follow them and pass on SEO value to your site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nofollow links won\u2019t harm your strategy, and, in fact, a healthy backlink profile<\/a> requires a mix of both types. However, to improve your search engine rankings, your backlinks should primarily be dofollow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another rule we follow when providing backlinks is to do link insertions<\/a> in recently published and fresh content. Nobody likes outdated content, especially Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your backlink is placed in a fresh article, it\u2019s more likely to get indexed quickly, and it can start passing SEO value to your site sooner. Plus, fresh articles tend to get more traffic right away, which means more eyes on your backlink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Backlinks from reputable websites that offer real products or services carry more weight than those coming from news\/magazine websites or forums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a few relevant SaaS backlinks<\/a> from real companies are way more valuable than a bunch of links from random directories. That\u2019s because there are legit businesses behind these SaaS sites that actually care about growing their presence. So, as their websites grow and build trust, the value of your backlinks grows along with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, let\u2019s look at some types of backlinks you should stay away from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These websites try to boost search rankings by breaking search engine rules. While PBN (Private Blog Network) backlinks might give quick results, they come with big risks. Your rankings can drop over time, and you could even get penalized, which takes a long time to recover. It\u2019s better to avoid this tactic and focus on safer, long-term link building strategies<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This tactic involves getting backlinks by posting comments or joining forum discussions. However, it\u2019s not ideal because you can\u2019t be sure the links aren\u2019t from spammy sites. Rather than improving your rankings, they can negatively impact your SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading: Google loves content that’s been created for users, not search engines. This also applies to anchor texts, which should be clear and descriptive. So, avoid vague anchor texts like \u201cClick here,\u201d \u201cCheck it out,\u201d or \u201cLearn more.\u201d Instead, choose keyword-rich anchor texts for backlinks that tell users exactly what to expect, improving both user experience and SEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading: You now understand the importance of backlinks and are ready to focus on link building. However, before launching a link building campaign<\/a>, get the answers to common questions to save time and ensure your efforts pay off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need backlinks to rank because search engines can\u2019t find your site without them. We touched on this earlier, but we\u2019ve also written more about it, so check out the full article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, the short answer is no. You do need valuable backlinks, and by the way, if you’re looking for reliable <\/strong>link building services<\/a>, we’re here to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading: The general rule is that new websites need 40 to 100 backlinks. At our agency, we start with a minimum of 10 backlinks per month to get things moving and start seeing some results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further reading: You understand the importance of backlinks and want to start link building right away. But here’s the thing: don\u2019t begin until your website is ready. This means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work on improving these areas of your website first, then start link building for real results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But your job isn\u2019t finished here. SEO is an ongoing process, and your website needs regular updates for better link building results. Don’t just take our word for it\u2014check out our case studies<\/a> to see how we\u2019ve helped clients reach high SEO rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, you probably have no doubts about the importance of backlinks. But you need to be smart and strategic about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"dr](\"https:\/\/saynine.ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/importance_of_backlinks_002.webp\")
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Good Backlinks vs Bad Backlinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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15 Key Types of Backlinks That Affect Your SEO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Main Types Of Anchor Texts
<\/a>Anchor Text Optimization<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nBacklinks 101: The Basics You Can\u2019t Skip Before Getting Started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Question # <\/em>1: Can your website rank without backlinks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can You Rank Without Backlinks?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nQuestion <\/strong>#2: How many backlinks does it take to rank a website?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Many Backlinks Do I Need to Rank?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nQuestion <\/strong>#3: Is your website ready for link building?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWrapping Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n