In Google SEO, backlinks typically refer to external links and are an integral part of SEO work. Their primary value lies in facilitating website indexing, improving keyword rankings, and accumulating site authority, making their importance undeniable.

Based on experience, backlinks contribute to approximately 30% of overall Google SEO effort, which is a significant proportion. Of course, the importance of backlinks has evolved over time, shifting from prioritizing quantity in the early days to emphasizing quality. This progression has raised the bar for backlink building, making competition more fair in the process.

How to effectively build backlinks, given their importance:

Step 1: Have clear objectives. Strategies formulated with clear goals are more targeted and valuable, and also easier to monitor for effectiveness. Different objectives require different approaches and levels of effort in building backlinks.

Step 2: Choose the right platforms. This involves exploring potential backlink sources. Look for reputable industry-specific websites, though websites outside your industry can also work. Use tools to analyze competitors’ backlink data, and from these, select relevant, effective, and high-authority platforms as your target sites.

(Example backlink data screenshot for reference)

Step 3: Establish standards and rhythm. Backlink building shouldn’t be done blindly or too conservatively. The most valuable backlinks are those that appear natural and provide referral value.

Step 3: Establish standards and rhythm. Backlink building shouldn’t be done blindly or too conservatively. The most valuable backlinks are those that appear natural and provide referral value.

Here are some points to consider when creating backlinks:

1. Before creating backlinks, ensure internal site issues are resolved first. It’s not recommended to start building external links when your website has numerous problems.
2. Choose appropriate target keywords (or anchor text) in terms of search volume and rankings. Keywords ranking on Google’s pages 2-5 typically show results in the short term.
3. Create content around your target keywords to ensure relevance and attract organic traffic. Low-quality or irrelevant content provides little value.
4. Generally, deploy only one backlink per page. If using multiple backlinks, limit to no more than 3, and ensure anchor texts and links aren’t repetitive. Links should appear naturally within the content.
5. Aim for 10-20 new backlinks per week, which suits most small to medium-sized websites. This isn’t a strict rule – adjust based on your specific situation.
6. Avoid over-optimization of backlinks. Common mistakes include: consistently targeting only the homepage or a single page, repeatedly using the same platforms without variation, and using malicious methods or buying/selling backlinks, all of which are irresponsible practices and should be avoided.

Step 4: Monitor and track the effectiveness of backlinks, a step that many people often overlook. Effect monitoring includes checking backlink survival status, indexing status, and whether objectives are being met (such as whether the rankings of target keywords have improved). Adjust your backlink building strategy based on actual performance results.

Backlinks are a critical element of Google SEO. Correctly and properly creating backlinks is not an easy task and requires comprehensive and scientific planning. It is also a cumulative effort over time, often requiring the power of a team to better advance and complete the process.