The multi-million dollar software conglomerate Moz recently conducted a study to understand the importance of backlinks to a website’s Google ranking. The research confirmed that a greater number of backlinks were directly proportional to a higher Google rank.
An astounding fact that emerged was how 99.2% of all the top results on Google had at least one external backlink leading to a website. The importance of internal and external backlinks is quite obvious, given these results. However, the effectiveness of these backlinks depends on how organic and credible they are.
Google can perform one of three functions with backlinks. It can accept the links and record them in its algorithm, it can ignore the links and rank the website based on other factors or it can penalize the website for providing manipulative backlinks.
One way to avoid being marked-down by Google is to introduce reliable backlinks through organic content.
Backlinks through brilliant content
Natural backlinks are the best way to get your website’s ranking target up on search engines page results. The more organic your backlinks are, the more credible and authoritarian you sound and the more traffic your website is likely to generate.
Here are some strategies that you could use to create content that naturally attracts backlinks:
1. Write posts that are information-rich
Being an authoritative involves making your post information-rich, and that will encourage other websites to link to yours.
Why? The answer is basic psychology. Most writers wish to provide their readers reliable and actionable information. If your post supplements their vision, it’s safe to assume that your website will be backlinked. Include statistics, videos, case studies and outbound links to credible sources in your posts to make them more valuable.
Another way to catch the attention of authors is to take a stance that is completely opposite to the one they are supporting. Controversy is one of the best attractors of backlinks. Some authors like presenting both sides of an argument to their readers; and by taking the path less travelled by, you might attract some valuable backlinks.
2. Create infographics and list-based posts
Research by OKDork and BuzzSumo has indicated that list-based articles and infographics have the highest engagement on social media. When enough number of people share a particular post, it’s bound to be noticed by author-influencers, who will in-turn backlink your website in one of their posts.
When creating infographics or lists make sure your content is industry/audience-specific. Stick to one topic and explore it thoroughly. You can even make references to specific companies or influencers who you wish to be noticed by and link their websites in your post. This type of relationship focused blogging is one of the best sources of organic backlinks.
3. Create reusable graphics
Studies have shown that articles with images receive more than 2.3X the rate of clicks and shares across platforms. If the graphics you use are highly engaging and interactive, you’ll have a higher chance of being scouted and backlinked by fellow bloggers.
Use tools such as Canva, Venngage and LogoGarden to create interesting pictures, GIFs and infographics. Once you create a graphic, you can keep reusing them in other posts.
There are some social media management tools such as DrumUp which allow you to create amazing graphics and schedule posts for various social media platforms. The more often you pump out self-created images and content, the greater the chances for backlinking.
4. Guest blogging, but in reverse
Guest blogging is when you are the guest author on an external blog. Reverse guest blogging is when you invite other authors to post on your blog or website. Most authors await the opportunity to guest blog, as it allows them to get their content in the limelight. By inviting guest authors to post on your site, you are encouraging them to backlink to your website on their other posts.
This type of reverse guest blogging will make you more visible to audiences which you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to reach.
5. Publish original research
One of the best ways to ensure backlinking is to create and publish original research. Interviews, quizzes, surveys and vlogging are all great ideas. The success of this strategy lies in how original research is informative, interactive and entertaining.
You could also create “Guide To” or “How To” articles and webinars which you can infuse with tons of videos and graphics. It’s been noticed that 94% of posts shared are ones which people perceive as useful – both to themselves and others. “Guide To” and “How To” articles fit this bill perfectly. As always, the more shares you get, higher the chances of a natural backlink.
While these methods are certainly time-consuming, they are better in the long run. Search engines have a way to recognize whether a back-link is reliable or not; and it’s best to be au naturel to ensure greater success.
Feature image via Pixabay.com