What is a Backlink?
A backlink is a hyperlink on one website that points to a page on another website. Also known as “inbound links” or “incoming links,” backlinks are one of the foundational elements of SEO because they signal to search engines that your content is valuable, trustworthy, or relevant.
Search engines like Google use backlinks as part of their ranking algorithms. Generally, the more high-quality backlinks a page has, the higher it can rank in search results.
Why Backlinks Matter
Backlinks are seen as a vote of confidence from one website to another. When reputable sites link to your content, it not only drives referral traffic but also improves your domain authority and visibility in search engines.
Key reasons backlinks matter:
- They help search engines discover new content
- High-quality links improve trust and authority signals
- They support higher search rankings
- Relevant backlinks drive qualified traffic
- They contribute to long-term SEO performance
However, not all backlinks are beneficial. Low-quality or spammy links can harm rankings, so it’s important to focus on earning backlinks from trusted, relevant sources.
Example in Use
If a popular blog writes a review of your product and includes a clickable link to your homepage, that link is a backlink. If the blog is respected in your industry, this can help boost your site’s authority and organic visibility.
Backlinks can be earned through content marketing, digital PR, partnerships, and outreach efforts.
Related Terms
- Link Building
- Domain Authority
- Follow / Nofollow Links
- Anchor Text
- Off-Page SEO