Backlinks for SEO: Still Worth their weight in Gold in 2025?
What Are Backlinks?
Backlinks have long been the foundation of a solid SEO strategy, but with algorithm changes and new digital trends, many are wondering: Are they still relevant in 2025? The short answer is yes. SEO strategies continue to evolve, but backlinks remain vital for establishing authority, improving search rankings, and driving organic traffic
Before we dive into what backlinks are today, let’s rewind a bit to how they even came to matter in the first place.
Back in the early days of the internet—when search engines were clunky and chaotic—finding what you were looking for was no easy feat. You pretty much had to know exactly what to type, and even then, results were hit or miss. There was no sorting or ranking of useful vs. useless pages.
That all changed when Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the co-founders of Google, came up with a game-changing idea: what if a webpage’s importance wasn’t just about how many times a keyword showed up, but how many other pages linked to it? And not just any links—but quality links from reputable sources. That idea led to the creation of PageRank, Google’s original algorithm that measured a page’s authority based on the quantity and quality of backlinks it received.
Backlinks simply put are links from one website to another. In short, they serve as a vote of confidence signaling to search engines like Google that the information that is being linked is not only valuable but credible as well. The more high-quality backlinks a website has, the better the chance they have to rank well in search engine result pages, or SERPs for short.
Think of backlinks as digital recommendations—when reputable sites link to your content, it’s like getting a thumbs-up from an industry expert acknowledging your expertise within that specific niche.
Are Backlinks Still a Viable Strategy for 2025?
There are a lot of rumors doing the rounds that backlinks are losing their relevance, however, they are still crucial for SEO success. Google’s algorithm still uses backlinks to assess a site’s authority and credibility. In fact, sites with good-quality backlinks will still outperform and rank those without.
Why Links Aren’t Going Anywhere
In short, the main reason why backlinks are not going anywhere is due to the simple reason that they directly influence your domain authority (DA). Even with the recent updates to Google’s algorithm which focuses heavily on intent, quality, and relevance, backlinks are here to stay.
How to Get Started With Getting Links
When getting started with backlinks, there is one crucial thing that you need to understand: Not all backlinks are created equally. Think quality over quantity, a thousand backlinks from dodgy spammy sites are not going to be much for your credibility, what you are looking for is high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative sites. Do your research and complete a free course or two, there are hundreds of great YouTube walkthroughs that can guide you from A-Z, or you can have a peek here at our very own walkthrough.
Building Your First Ones
To build your first backlinks, you can consider using platforms that are specifically designed to connect experts (like yourself) to journalists. Services like Featured, ProfNet, and SourceBottle allow you to respond to media requests with your valuable insights and if chosen will be featured in their articles.
If this sounds a bit daunting, then you can always try your hand with social media, BlueSky and X (formerly Twitter) have a lot of opportunities. Hashtags like #JournoRequest will supply you with opportunities where journalists are looking for expert opinions and quotes. Actively engaging with these requests can assist you in building relationships as well as earning quality backlinks for your website.
Advanced Techniques for Building Backlinks
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more advanced strategies. Broken link building involves finding outdated or broken links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement. Creating skyscraper content—high-quality, comprehensive articles that outperform existing content—can naturally attract backlinks. To find these broken links you can use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console.
Should You Hire an Agency or Do It Yourself?
Hiring an SEO agency can save time and offer professional expertise as well as guaranteeing high-quality links from authoritative sites. However, small businesses might benefit from the hands-on approach of DIY backlink building, especially if budgets are tight. Weigh the cost against the potential return on investment when making your decision.
On a Scale of 1-10, How Difficult Is It to Secure a High-Quality Backlink?
The difficulty largely depends on your niche, the authority of your website, and your outreach skills. For some industries, it’s a solid 8 or 9, while for others with less competition, it may be closer to a 4 or 5. Persistence and strategy play vital roles in success.
What Types can You Build?
Now, there is no greater feeling than securing your first link, but you have to keep in mind that not all backlinks are created equally. The type of link and where it comes from will have a big impact on your SEO performance. Here are some of the most effective types of backlinks that you can go after:
1. Guest Post Backlinks
These come from writing and publishing articles on someone else’s website or blog. When done right, guest posting not only helps you earn a backlink but also puts your name in front of a new audience.
2. Editorial Backlinks
These are the holy grail of backlinks. They’re earned naturally when a reputable site references your content as a valuable source. Think of a news article or blog post that links to your guide or study because it’s genuinely helpful.
3. Citation Backlinks
Often used in local SEO, citation backlinks are listings of your business on directories like Yelp, Google Business Profile, or TripAdvisor. These usually include your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and a link to your website.
4. HARO & Media Mentions
When you contribute a quote or expert opinion through platforms like HARO, Featured, or SourceBottle, and a journalist links back to your site—boom, that’s a quality backlink. These fall under earned media and can build both authority and trust.
5. Forum or Community Links
While these can be lower in value, relevant forum posts or community sites like Reddit, Quora, or niche industry forums can still be a solid way to drive traffic and gain nofollow or contextual backlinks—just be sure it’s not spammy.
Final Thoughts
Backlinks remain a fundamental part of any SEO strategy in 2025. They still provide authority, improve ranking, and are essential for organic growth. Whether you choose to tackle them independently or hire experts, staying proactive and up-to-date with best practices will yield the best results.
