Backlink
A backlink is an incoming link from another website to yours — one of the strongest signals of authority and trust in search engines.
Backlinks have been a top ranking signal since the original PageRank paper in 1998. Each link counts as a 'vote of trust'. Quality beats quantity: one link from an authority domain in your niche outweighs a hundred from low-quality sites. Modern link building is about relationships, PR and genuine value — not bulk buying.
Example
A Bitcoin exchange publishes unique market research. News media (CoinDesk, The Block) link to it. One such link carries more authority than 1,000 from directories.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best way to earn backlinks?
Publish linkable assets: original research, tools, comprehensive guides, unique data. Then digital PR, guest posts and broken-link building.
Related terms
Further reading
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