Backlinks for SEO

Backlinks are whats known as incoming, or inbound, links from other websites which point to specific pages or posts on "your" website.  Learn to build backlinks because the search engines use them as an indicator to determine the popularity of your website.  Keep in mind that inbound links are only "one" indicator, among many, that the search engines rely on to judge and rate your website. 

It's important to have quality and relevant inward links attached to your website, in the form of anchored keyword related text, because it helps your website rise in the search engine results page (SERP).

Notice some of the specifics of what we need to understand here:

1.  Backlinks are an important part of search engine optimization
2.  Search engines use them to judge the importance of your website
3.  Inbound links are only one indicator to rate your pages and posts
4.  They should be relevant and preferably come from related websites
5.  Backlinks should be anchored to keyword related text

There are many schools of thought and philosophies on backlink techniques and how to use them. The more research you do, the more mixed opinions you will find. But there is one consensus everyone can agree on; backlinks work and you must have an SEO strategy to incorporate them as part of your website promotion agenda.

I have used back-linking techniques to help many of my websites rise in the search engines, over time. But the search engines are constantly changing their algorithms and rating structure, so what once worked six months ago may not work as well today.

The Google and Panda updates are a prime example of this.  The internet is a living, breathing and ever changing....animal! So you have to keep up with the times and continually adapt your marketing strategies. 

Using Article Marketing to Build Backlinks

Article Marketing was once a tried and true SEO mechanism for obtaining quality backlinks. The jury is still out, in my opinion as to whether it's still as effective as it used to be. But it definitely doesn't hurt to write and submit articles relating to your website.

Do's and Don'ts

Back-linking or article "farms" is a prime example of a "no-no" when it comes to using articles to obtain backlinks.

Article farms include article directory/services which will accept pretty much any type of article and submit it to their directory and hundreds of other low PR websites.  All you have to do is write a low quality article and anchor your text (backlink) within the article. Link farms will then pass it out all over the web so you can get backlinks.  It's a short cut way to get backlinks and two years ago it use to work- I know because I tested it out and tried it when I didn't know any better.  

Don't do it, avoid link farms and low rate services which claim they will get you hundreds of quality backlinks. The search engines have sniffed out these type of black hat operations and it will only hurt your website in the long run.  Obtaining quality backlinks takes work, and that means writing quality articles around your niche and placing them in reputable article directories, forums and social media venues. Sorry, no short cuts folks.