Is Link Building Still Relevant to SEO?

 

SEO has had major shakeups due to Google’s Helpful Content Update in late 2022 and then its March 2024 Core Update. There have also been plenty of updates in between that have changed the course of search engine optimization.

Bearing all that in mind, you may wonder how relevant link building is in 2024. Is it a major part of your SEO strategy or can you effectively scale it down and still achieve results? This guide will peel back the curtain and answer your burning questions.

Does Link Building Still Matter for SEO in 2024?

 

In short, yes. Link building is still a huge part of any successful SEO effort and will influence your website’s ranking. 

Now, Google has said that it’s downplaying the importance of link building in its ranking algorithm, but just try going without it. Actually, don’t try. It won’t end well. 

If you dismiss it or reduce its prioritization, it will be at your own risk. Your site’s rank will sink, and crawling back up could take time your business doesn’t necessarily have. 

Here’s why backlinking has and likely always will be an important element of SEO. Search engine crawlers like Google Bots look at links connected to a website to determine how relevant the site is for specific terms and keywords. 

After all, a website wouldn’t generate a large number of backlinks if it wasn’t reputable. Therefore, having backlinks tells the Google Bot that this site is relevant and should rank higher. 

Of course, the quality of your links matters too. Anyone can buy a bunch of links, but those spammy connections won’t help your rank. If anything, they’ll hurt it. It’s not like search engine crawlers only look at the number of links and turn a blind eye to the rest.

The crawlers very much pay attention to the fidelity of the links. In Google’s case, your links will be devalued if they’re low-quality and/or spammy. In other instances, you could receive penalization from Google. Neither helps your rank. In fact, buying links or associating with shady lists will only push your website further into the background. 

Link Building Tips to Implement Today

 

Bearing in mind the importance of link building, let’s review some strategies proven to work in 2024 for a stronger approach to obtaining high-quality backlinks. 

Guest Posting

This first link-building strategy remains the standard. Guest posting is still as relevant in 2024 as it was years ago. Although it’s hard to say what the future holds, it will likely remain a viable long-term strategy. 

The key to successful guest post arrangements that will move the needle regarding your rank is this. You need to choose the sites you associate with carefully.

The guest posting arrangement should be with a site that’s related to your industry or niche. Review the site’s credentials and read some reviews to ensure it’s respectable. Once you associate with a slimy site, it’s hard to detach your reputation. 

Besides helping your rank, guest posting also drives more traffic to your website and can expand your audience base. It’s a win-win for your brand. 

Partnerships with Influencers

Likewise, you can connect with an influencer to take your brand further and increase the number of backlinks you acquire. 

An influencer would review your products or services in exchange for receiving them for free (or at a steep discount). Each time they post about your brand, they’d link to your website, giving you high-quality and relevant links. 

The same benefits apply as with a guest posting arrangement, but perhaps on an even grander scale. You will be exposed to a potentially much larger audience.

However, you still have to be picky about the influencers you choose. They should have a history of working with brands in your niche or industry. 

Reverse Engineering Competitor Links

You can also reverse engineer your competitor links to grow your own link profile. Although this sounds complex, it isn’t really. 

First, you have to do a competitor analysis to determine who your most relevant competitors are. Next, acquire competitor keyword data, which is doable using an SEO tool. Closely study their keywords, then move on to a competitor content analysis and a backlink analysis.

The goal isn’t to copy what your competitors are doing, as their path to a higher rank might not be the same for you. Instead, you can compare your efforts against theirs and amend them accordingly. That should help you build better links that elevate your rank. 

Joining Quality Directories 

Attaching your brand name to directories is a reliable, albeit slow way of growing your links. Look for quality directories related to your industry or niche, then fill out the forms to get your name added. 

Triple-check that your information is accurate before submitting it. That will make it easier for potential customers to find you online. 

Automating Link Building with Post Cheetah 

 

The road to link building for a higher SEO rank is filled with seemingly countless tasks. If you’re struggling to juggle them all with the other aspects of operating your business, you don’t have to do it alone. 

Post Cheetah can automate your SEO efforts, ensuring you get high-quality links that will help your rank but without all the blood, sweat, and tears it usually takes to reach that point. 

Connect with us today to see what we can do for you. A better rank awaits through our top-notch AI services.