What Are Backlinks? A Beginner’s Guide to Link Building (2025)

If you want to rank on Google, you need backlinks — but what exactly are they?

Let’s break it down.

What Are Backlinks?

A backlink is a hyperlink on another website that links back to your site.

Example:
If a blog links to marknesthub.com/blog-seo-checklist, that’s a backlink.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

  • Improve domain authority
  • Boost Google rankings
  • Bring referral traffic
  • Build brand trust

Google uses backlinks as a major ranking factor.

Types of Backlinks

  • DoFollow: Pass SEO juice
  • NoFollow: Don’t pass SEO juice, but still useful

How to Get Backlinks (the Right Way)

  1. Guest posting on relevant blogs
  2. Create valuable content people want to link to
  3. Use infographics, stats, or original research.
  4. Engage in niche communities and forums

What to Avoid

  • Buying shady backlinks
  • Using link farms or PBNs
  • Spammy blog comments

Backlinks take time — focus on quality over quantity.

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