Backlink
A hyperlink from one website to another, used by search engines as a ranking signal.
Definition
A backlink is an incoming hyperlink from one web page to another website. Backlinks are important for SEO because search engines like Google use them as votes of confidence—sites with more high-quality backlinks tend to rank higher. The quality of backlinks matters more than quantity; links from authoritative, relevant sites carry more weight.
Why It Matters
Backlinks remain one of Google's most important ranking factors. They serve as "votes of confidence" from other websites, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Quality backlinks from authoritative sites can dramatically improve your search rankings and drive referral traffic. However, not all backlinks are equal—links from relevant, high-authority sites carry significantly more weight than those from low-quality or unrelated sources.
Examples in Practice
A SaaS company earns a backlink from TechCrunch after launching an innovative feature, resulting in a 50-position jump for their main keyword.
A marketing agency creates original research that gets cited by industry publications, building a portfolio of 200+ high-quality backlinks over two years.
A local business gets featured in their city's "Best Of" list, earning a valuable local backlink that boosts their maps ranking.