Backlinks are one of the most important factors when it comes to ranking on Google. When you are linking any type of content or website on another website this is what backlinking is. The more links that your website has the higher you’re going to rank. In addition to that they will look at the quality.
Why are backlinks important?
With the aim of ranking higher in Google search results, you will need backlinks. Backlinks are external links that direct from one website to another. Search engine crawlers trail these links and decide how necessary or relevant a specific page is in relation to other pages online by analysing which sites link to it and how consistently they do so.
Backlinks are one of the strongest ranking signals. Link building can grade you profitable relationships with bloggers, thought leaders and other tools.
Though, more links are not always good. You will have to aim for quality and significance. The linking website must be in your industry, have at least a couple thousand of traffic, and not be a part of a PBN (Private Blog Network). Ensure to only build links that can contribute positively to your overall online presence.
Backlink Analysis, a Powerful SEO Tactic
Backlink analysis is a method that every SEO must be confident in undertaking.
Backlinks are one of Google’s top three ranking factors, besides content and RankBrain after all.
You cannot neglect the significance of gaining links, if you want to increase your organic traffic. To do that you will have to find where your competitors are getting links from and what’s contributing to their rankings.
This means understanding how to find the links pointing to any website. Knowing how to check any domain’s backlinks including your own means that you’re able to:
- Identify the sites that have linked to your domain, the authority of these, and the anchor text that they use.
- Discover opportunities to gain the links that are aiding your competitors to rank on the SERPs.
- Know which domains link to one or more of your competitors but not you.
- Audit your site’s link profile for toxic links.
How to find and check backlinks?
Step#1: Navigate to Link Explorer
Link Explorer is an outstanding backlink checker which is used to research the link profile of any site on the internet. It exhibits the quality of inbound links using metrics like Domain Authority, Page Authority and Spam Score. With the free version, you are able to do a nice amount of backlink research, but to enjoy all its potential you’ll need to have full access.
Step#2: Enter your competitor’s URL
This will lower the possibility of any spelling errors and the chance of inaccurately typing the domain name.
Step#3: Navigate to the “Inbound Links” tab
This Links tab will show all of the pages that link to your competitor’s website. As to identify sources of links that are providing link equity, it is better to set the parameters above the list as follows: Link type – Follow, Links Status – Active. This will display all external backlinks delivering link equity to any page on your competitor’s site.
Step#4: Export backlink data into .csv
Majority of reports in Link Explorer will enable you to export to .csv. These results must be saved and then repeated for your other competitors.
Step#5: From all competitors, compile backlink .csv results
Compile into one spreadsheet, once you have Link Explorer backlink exports from the top 5–10 competitors.
Step#6: Sort all backlinks by Page Authority
Utilise Page Authority as your sorting criteria. Higher numbers conveys that the page is more authoritative and as a result has a higher likelihood of ranking. Higher Page Authority pages also will be providing more link equity to your competitor’s site.
Step#7: Review all linking sites for opportunities
You will now have a huge list of sites linking to your competitors for keywords you are targeting. Move down the list of high Page Authority links and seek for sites or authors that appear commonly. Utilise your favoured outreach strategy to contact these sites and start budding a relationship.
Wrapping up
As you’ve got a bit better knowledge of how to find backlinks, begin using them. Keep in mind that all backlinks are not good opportunities. Check each backlink thoroughly to ensure you’re picking referral sites that are appropriate to your product or service, while establishing expertise and authority to your audience. Never spend all of your time on weak links.
