Are backlinks still relevant in 2022?

[SMie]

The short answer is yes, but they shouldn't be your only strategy.

Although links are not the only ranking factor, they are still very important. The main difference is how you should link websites to your content.

First, you should focus on what you can control - make sure you're producing the best content possible. It may seem like a broken record now, but if you create content that provides information and adds value to the people who use it, it's much easier to get links back to it.

Second, backlink building has improved. As we've often heard, Google's algorithms are still focused on choosing the best tool for the job when someone searches. In 2022, building backlinks should not be an isolated activity. Try answering other people's questions, explore partnering with other brands and companies to create blogs, videos, podcasts, whatever. That way, you both benefit from linking to each other's sites. We are now seeing more and more brand collaboration and influencer activity, and the same logic is useful to apply to backlink building.

[danmoyle · Accepted solution]

It's a great question, especially as businesses build on social and may not be that interested in websites (which for the record I would advise against - both is better than "or"). A few resources I trust include: 

• What is a backlink? (Moz) 
• The Ongoing Evolution of Link Building (Semrush) 
• Are Backlinks Still Important for SEO in 2022? (good sources) 

I like your point that "building backlinks should not be an isolated activity." It's not just one effort that brings us success, but many steps. Cheers! 

[Jnix284 · Accepted solution]

@SMie thanks for starting the conversation around backlinks - this is a challenging topic for many marketers because it is largely dependent on your ability to build relationships and generate links from relevant domains. 

The resources @danmoyle links to are a great place to start for anyone new to backlinks 🙂

While domain authority doesn't direclty impact your ranking, the number of backlinks to a topic does impact the SERPs.

Just like every relationship you are trying to build, when it comes to backlinks you often need to give more than you receive, especially in the beginning.

[danmoyle · Accepted solution]

It's a great question, especially as businesses build on social and may not be that interested in websites (which for the record I would advise against - both is better than "or"). A few resources I trust include: 

• What is a backlink? (Moz) 
• The Ongoing Evolution of Link Building (Semrush) 
• Are Backlinks Still Important for SEO in 2022? (good sources) 

I like your point that "building backlinks should not be an isolated activity." It's not just one effort that brings us success, but many steps. Cheers!