In the ever-evolving world of SEO, backlinks remain one of the most significant ranking factors. But not just any backlink will do! The quality, relevance, and strategy behind your backlink profile can make or break your search engine rankings. As we step into 2024, it’s time to refresh your knowledge on the types of backlinks to get for better visibility, authority, and SEO success.
Introduction
When it comes to SEO, backlinks are like votes of confidence from other websites. They signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy and worth ranking. But not all backlinks are created equal. Gone are the days when sheer quantity could boost your rankings. Today, quality reigns supreme. So, what types of backlinks should you aim for in 2024 to stay ahead of the competition? Let’s dive into the top strategies and backlink types that should be on your radar this year.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Before jumping into the different types, let’s talk about why backlinks matter. Backlinks serve as external references to your content. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely search engines, like Google, will view your site as an authority within your niche. This can result in better rankings, increased organic traffic, and, ultimately, more leads or sales.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s break down the types of backlinks to get in 2024.
1. Editorial Backlinks
If there’s one type of backlink every SEO strategist covets, it’s the editorial backlink. These backlinks are generated naturally when a website or journalist references your content within their articles. This type of backlink signals strong trust and credibility.
How to Get Them:
- Publish high-quality, shareable content.
- Focus on evergreen topics that journalists and bloggers might link to.
- Reach out to reporters or bloggers and offer your content as a resource for their upcoming articles.
Pro Tip: Use tools like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to connect with journalists looking for expert quotes and resources.
2. Guest Post Backlinks
Guest blogging isn’t dead, and it’s still one of the most effective ways to build backlinks in 2024. By contributing high-quality articles to reputable websites, you can embed backlinks to your own content. However, focus on contributing to niche-relevant and authoritative sites.
How to Get Them:
- Research high-authority websites in your niche.
- Pitch blog ideas that align with their audience.
- Ensure the content you provide is valuable, informative, and naturally includes your backlink.
Reminder: Avoid low-quality guest posting sites, as Google has become quite strict with spammy or irrelevant backlinks.
3. Resource Page Backlinks
Many authoritative websites maintain resource pages, where they link to valuable external content. Securing a backlink from these pages can drive significant traffic and boost your SEO efforts.
How to Get Them:
- Identify niche-relevant resource pages using search operators like “intitle
” + “your keyword.”
- Contact the site owner with a polite email introducing your content and explaining why it would be a valuable addition to their resource page.
4. Backlinks from Infographics
Visual content continues to dominate the digital landscape. Infographics, in particular, are a great way to earn backlinks. When people share your infographics on their websites, they often provide a backlink to the source—your site.
How to Get Them:
- Create high-quality, informative infographics that provide value to your target audience.
- Promote your infographics through social media, email outreach, and infographic directories.
- Offer your infographics as guest content on relevant blogs.
5. Forum and Community Backlinks
Forums may seem like a blast from the past, but they’re still relevant in 2024, especially niche communities. By participating in forums, you can build relationships and naturally incorporate backlinks when they add value to discussions.
How to Get Them:
- Engage actively in niche-relevant forums (Reddit, Quora, industry-specific forums).
- Answer questions or provide insights, including a backlink to relevant content on your website.
Pro Tip: Avoid being spammy. Only post a backlink when it genuinely contributes to the conversation.
6. Broken Link Building
Broken link building is one of the most underutilized yet powerful strategies. This involves finding broken links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. Not only do you help the site owner fix a problem, but you also gain a backlink.
How to Get Them:
- Use tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links to find broken links on niche-relevant websites.
- Reach out to the webmaster and suggest your content as a replacement for the broken link.
7. Skyscraper Technique Backlinks
The Skyscraper Technique is a highly effective method introduced by Brian Dean. The idea is simple: find content with many backlinks, create an even better version, and promote it to those linking to the original.
How to Get Them:
- Identify high-performing content in your niche.
- Improve upon that content by making it more in-depth, adding visuals, or updating it with new information.
- Reach out to sites linking to the original and offer your improved version.
8. Backlinks from Social Media
While social media backlinks are typically no-follow, they can still drive traffic and create brand awareness. More importantly, they can indirectly lead to editorial or natural backlinks when your content gets noticed by others.
How to Get Them:
- Share your content consistently across all your social media platforms.
- Engage with influencers and followers to encourage them to share your content.
Reminder: Use visually appealing posts to boost engagement and sharing.
9. Press Release Backlinks
Press releases have evolved, but they’re still a powerful tool for getting backlinks, especially if your story is picked up by multiple media outlets. The trick is to create newsworthy stories or announcements that attract media attention.
How to Get Them:
- Write a compelling, newsworthy press release.
- Distribute it via press release distribution services or pitch it directly to journalists in your niche.
- Ensure your press release includes links back to your website.
FAQs about Backlinks in 2024
Q1. Are all backlinks created equal?
No, the quality of backlinks is far more important than quantity. A few high-authority, niche-relevant backlinks can outperform hundreds of low-quality ones.
Q2. What’s the difference between do-follow and no-follow backlinks?
Do-follow backlinks pass on SEO value or “link juice,” which can improve your search rankings. No-follow backlinks don’t pass SEO value but can still drive traffic and indirectly lead to more do-follow links.
Q3. Should I pay for backlinks?
No, paying for backlinks is against Google’s guidelines and can lead to penalties. Focus on earning backlinks organically through quality content.
Q4. How do I track the performance of my backlinks?
Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Moz to monitor the number, quality, and impact of your backlinks.
Conclusion
In 2024, backlinks are as crucial as ever, but the strategies have evolved. From earning editorial mentions to mastering broken link building, the focus should always be on quality over quantity. By incorporating these types of backlinks into your SEO strategy, you’ll not only improve your rankings but also build a stronger, more authoritative online presence.
Remember, SEO is a long game. Be patient, stay consistent, and focus on providing value, and the backlinks will follow.