Backlinks continue to be a primary ranking signal, and the emphasis on high-quality, authoritative links is stronger than ever in 2026. Search engines still use links to help judge credibility and importance, especially in competitive spaces where many pages are trying to prove they deserve to rank.
The difference now is how little room there is for shortcuts or “black hat SEO”. Low-quality links are easier to spot, and the wrong ones can create risk without offering much upside. If you’re going to invest in backlinks, quality and intent alignment matter more than volume.
So, what does that mean for backlinks? Backlinks still influence how Google ranks its search results, but gains only come from ethical acquisition. In this post, we’ll define what a “good” vs. “bad” backlink is and how to prioritize using the former in a comprehensive SEO strategy.
What Are Backlinks?
A backlink is a link from one website to another, and it acts like a digital “vote of confidence.” When another website links to yours, it’s essentially saying, “We think this content is worth checking out.”
Search engines, like Google, view these links as endorsements, which help them decide how trustworthy and valuable your website is.
How Do Backlinks Affect SEO?
Backlinks help search engines judge three things: relevance, trust, and authority. Those signals influence whether your pages rank well and, increasingly, whether they’re strong candidates to be surfaced in AI-driven results.
Not all links carry the same weight. The impact depends on who links to you, the context of the link, and how closely it relates to your topic. The sections below break down how each signal works.
Strong Links Build Authority
A link from a respected site can raise the ceiling on how well a page can rank. It tells search engines that your content is worth taking seriously in a competitive topic space.
What matters most is the source. One link from a trusted, well-known publisher in your niche often carries more ranking value than a pile of links from random sites that don’t have real credibility.
Trusted Sites Increase Confidence in Your Content
Search engines are cautious about what they recommend, especially on topics where accuracy matters. When reliable sites reference your content, it reduces uncertainty and signals that your page is a safer bet to surface.
This is why backlink quality shows up in trust over time. If credible sources repeatedly cite your site, it strengthens your overall standing and can support better performance across more pages, not just the one that earned the link.
Relevant Links Clarify What Your Page Covers
Backlinks also give search engines context about where your content fits. A link from a site that covers the same subject area reinforces that your page belongs in that conversation.
That topical reinforcement helps search engines connect your content to the right queries and questions. It also helps AI systems choose sources more confidently, because the page sits in a clear, consistent topic neighborhood.
What Makes a “Good” Backlink?
Some links help your site. Others do nothing. A few can create risk. The easiest way to think about a “good” backlink is that it comes from a real site, in a real context, with a real reason to reference your page.
Signs of a Strong Backlink
- From a reputable website
- Topically relevant to user intent
- Earned naturally
- Placed in the main content
- Descriptive anchor text
- Diverse referring domains
- From a clean, non-spammy site
What’s a “Bad” Backlink?
Bad backlinks tend to come from low-quality sites, irrelevant pages, or obvious manipulation. They rarely send meaningful traffic and can weaken how search engines view your site.
Common Red Flags
- Irrelevant source
- Link farms or spam networks
- Paid links with no disclosure
- Sitewide footer/sidebar links
- Keyword-stuffed anchor text
- Sudden spikes in low-quality links
- Pages packed with ads or thin content
How Important Are Backlinks Compared to Other SEO Tasks?
Backlinks are like the icing on the SEO cake. The cake itself is:
- Your content (the most important thing),
- Your website’s performance and structure, and
- Making sure people can find what they need easily.
If you’re already keeping up with these tasks and conducting regular SEO maintenance, then yes, you should spend some time on backlinks. But if you’re stretched thin, focus on improving your site and content first because those efforts will pay off the most in the long run.
How to Get More Backlinks in SEO
Earning backlinks consistently comes down to creating well-written, engaging content that other people actually want to reference.
The strongest links aren’t chased or forced; they happen when your pages are useful enough to support someone else’s point, article, or research.
These tactics focus on building that kind of link-worthy content:
Focus on Creating High-Quality Content
The foundation of good SEO is still creating content that’s valuable and relevant to your audience. Backlinks happen naturally when your content provides something others want to share, like useful tips, original research, or engaging stories.
Prioritize quality over quantity when posting content for SEO — in-depth, well-researched pieces that answer common questions or solve problems in your industry, posted on a regular, consistent basis. The better your content, the more likely others will want to link to it.
Focus on Long-Form Content
A large study of 912 million pages found that long-form content (3,000+ words) earns 77.2% more backlinks than short-form content (under 1,000 words).
Longer content tends to attract more backlinks because it works as a single, complete resource. They answer the core question, address common follow-ups, and provide enough context to support citations without forcing readers to bounce between sources.
Long-form content also stays visible longer. Pages that rank for multiple related searches attract steady attention, which increases the chances of earning links over time.
Create “Cite-Worthy” Sections Inside Your Pages
Most backlinks point to the part of a page that explains something best, not the page as a whole. Add sections that are easy to reference, like quick definitions, clear comparisons, step-by-step frameworks, simple tables, or short summaries that capture the core takeaway.
Clear language helps here, too. When your page uses natural phrasing and answers questions the way people actually ask them, it’s easier for search engines (and AI systems) to understand what the page covers and when to surface it.
Make It Easy for People to Find the Right Spot to Link To
Even strong content loses links when it’s hard to navigate. Use descriptive headings, keep sections focused, and lead with direct answers so the page is skimmable.
If a reader can quickly locate the exact section that supports their point, they’re far more likely to link instead of moving on to a source that’s easier to use.
Where Backlinks Fit in Your Organic SEO Strategy
Backlinks matter, but they work best as a supporting signal, not the foundation of your SEO strategy.
Their real value shows up after the basics are in place, when strong content, clear intent matching, and solid site performance give search engines something worth amplifying.
Treat Backlinks as an Amplifier, Not a Fix
If your pages don’t load quickly, don’t clearly answer the searcher’s question, or don’t hold attention once someone lands, links won’t fix that. In practice, backlinks tend to amplify what’s already working. They help strong pages perform better and help trusted sites expand their reach. They rarely rescue weak content.
Use Timing to Decide When to Focus on Links
A practical way to think about backlinks is timing. Early on, focus on getting your site structure, content quality, and intent alignment right. Once you have pages that already rank or show signs of traction, backlinks can help push those pages higher or make them more competitive. Trying to build links to pages that aren’t ready usually wastes time.
Choose the Pages That Benefit Most From Links
It’s also worth being selective about where you invest effort. Not every page needs links. Prioritize cornerstone content, comparison pages, guides, and resources that you want to stand the test of time. These pages benefit the most from backlinks because they continue to earn traffic and support related content across your site.
Keep Link Building Grounded in Real Value
Finally, backlinks should feel earned, not manufactured. Outreach works best when you’re pointing people to something genuinely useful, not asking for favors. When links come from relevance and trust, they strengthen your site without putting it at risk.
Find SEO Support From People Who See the Full Picture
SEO works best when the pieces support each other. Strong content won’t perform if your site is slow, your technical setup is messy, or your pages don’t match real search intent.
That’s where a full-service approach matters. At Astute Communications, we offer full-service SEO support that integrates strategy, content, on-page optimization, and technical performance into a single plan.
If you want clearer priorities, cleaner execution, and growth you can track, reach out to talk through your site and what will move the needle next. Contact us today to learn more!