Backlinks remain as the number one ranking factor when Google releases search results on the first page. Although backlinks have been around since the earliest years of Search Engine Optimization initiatives, its importance was briefly forgotten for some time. It was not until Google made it clear years later that keyword density in contents, play second fiddle to backlinks when it comes to search page ranking.
Backlink Impact on Search Page Results
Google’s Page Rank algorithm considers backlinks as the most important element, not the density of keywords found in a web content. When Google “crawlers” search for pages that respond to a query, it also indexes the connecting links existing between a search page-qualifying website and other web domains. Generally, outside links pointing to a particular website, is an indication that other domains have cast their vote of confidence on what that website offers as response to a search query.
Not a few webmasters though, tried to beat the system by using the Comment sections of Top-Level Domains as external sources of inbound links. A hyperlinked comment is supposed to direct readers to their client-website. When indexed by crawlers, the website had increased chances of landing as top search page result. However, the technique later proved ineffective, since Google introduced the Penguin Spam Filter as part of its Core Algorithm.
It then became clear that the backlink aspect is not just about adding the URL of one’s website to multiple web domains. The quality and relevance of the content in which the link was embedded, are among the key factors that make a backlink good.
Content is Still King When It Comes to Backlinking
Now marketing affiliates maintain websites that publish relevant contents as means of promoting their affiliate web domain. They usually add one or two sentences to an article, leading to a “Click Here” prompt, whilst hyperlinked to the site they are promoting. This method used to work, but not long enough to meet Google’s updated criteria for good backlinks.
Multiple outbound links carried by a single website via different contents, but all pointing to a single domain, does not work well either. Mainly because the Penguin Spam Filter looks into the sources of inbound links. If it indexes a single article or website as the lone source of multiple links, then Google’s Penguin will simply devalue such links.
Content, therefore, must be reliable and of quality, in order to naturally attract other websites. If so, another domain may then place an outbound link to send readers to a website from where that quality content camè. This type of activity once carried on by other quality domains, builds a network of good links that can improve search page ranking.