Is Backlinking and Link Building Different?
In the SEO landscape, both backlinking and link building focus on driving traffic toward your website as well as enhancing search engine result page (SERP) ranking. Nevertheless, there is a fundamental difference between the two, which needs to be comprehended.
Search engines emphasise developing quality content instead of quantity, especially Google. If you maintain content quality, the chances of getting backlinks from established and authoritative platforms increase. Backlinks from a random site are not effective on search engines. Link building also works on the same concept. Nevertheless, new SEO users get confused in differentiating between backlinking and link building.
The basic difference between backlinking and link building
Generally, link building can be categorised into:
- On-page or internal linking
- Off-page or external linking
Link building refers to off-page linking, where a manual strategy is used to promote a business aiming to receive backlinks from different websites, blogs, social channels, etc.
It was simple in the past. There were numerous ways ranging, from getting links through article publishing sites to other spamming methods. Unfortunately, today methods like paid links or spamming are not working on search engines. It has become difficult since Google updated its latest algorithm.
Google’s updated Penguin has indicated that other than natural links, everything is useless. Even if you receive hundreds and hundreds of backlinks in different ways, it means nothing in terms of ranking. It opens the door for your website to get penalised. Briefly speaking, you need to create quality content and wisely choose ways to receive backlinks naturally.
Be qualitative rather than quantitative
Updated Penguin has evolved the way optimisation pros work on their linking strategies. The focus is looking at white hat techniques to make things work with search engine algorithms and viewers. You don’t need to seem desperate or beg for links. Instead, enrich your website with quality and innovative content to get backlinks from established websites that Google rewards with top ranking.
In the past link building method focused on quantity. So, the strategy was more about manually generating links. The latest standard has forced us to generate useful resources, which are rewarded with a link. It is a way to efficiently get considered in the SERP ranking.
Relevancy in the niche is crucial to passing link juice
Google not just emphasises getting backlinks from authoritative sources, but needs to get them from multiple valuable sites from the same niche. It means if your brand is in fashion & style then you need to get backlinks from multiple relevant established platforms.
Link juice is a value that is passed from the authoritative platform to your website through backlinks. Backlinks are confidence votes from users and the authoritative platform that your site provides information helpful to the users. Google adores sites that enhance user experience and rewards them. The irony here is that if you get numerous backlinks from the same authoritative site, it does not make any difference in link juice percentage. The link juice value is the same but Google can blacklist your site.
So, it is essential to receive backlinks from other established platforms in your niche. The task is demanding, but it is a permanent way to stay ahead in the SEO game.
Proven strategies to get quality backlinks
For effective backlinking, the content has to be created strategically and focused on target keywords. For this conduct thorough keywords using Google analytics. Some proven strategies to receive good backlinks are:
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Publish on the reliable content submission platform
Content submission platforms offer do-follow links to your website when they approve your post. Make sure that the chosen platform is established and niche specific. - Online discussion forums
Forums are available for every niche. For example, Quora is a platform that resolves the doubts and queries of many people. Article submission on such platforms can help to receive good backlinks. It is a proven and traditional way to get backlinks.
Again the quality of content matters and you need to participate only in your niche queries. Placing links within the random discussion is spamming and can get you penalised, so avoid it.
- Guest posting
Guest posting has become a reliable search engine optimisation practice for building links. Google acknowledges this strategy, but the importance is about writing posts for top-ranked niche platforms as guests. Remember, not to expect overnight results from your guest posting strategy.
You will need to write premium quality content because the hosts of established sites give importance to superiority. With good quality content be prepared to get results.
Take help from niche influencers, integrate social media, and ensure to use the best SEO practice to optimise your content marketing strategy to build backlinks.