Link building has been a popular SEO strategy for many years. It involves getting other websites to link back to your site, which helps to increase your search engine rankings. However, with the constant changes in search engine algorithms and the emergence of new SEO tactics, some people have started to question whether link building is still useful in 2023. In this blog post, we’ll explore this question and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your SEO strategy.
What is link building?
Link building is a process that involves getting other websites to link back to your website. There are many ways to do this, including:
- Creating high-quality, shareable content that people want to link to.
- Guest blogging on other websites and including links back to your website in your bio or within the content.
- Building relationships with other website owners or bloggers and asking them to link back to your website.
- Submitting your website to relevant directories and online communities.
The goal of link building is to increase your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). When search engines see that other websites are linking back to your site, they interpret this as a signal that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. As a result, your site may rank higher in search engine results, which can lead to more traffic and business opportunities.
Is link building still useful in 2023?
The short answer is yes, link building is still useful in 2023. While there have been changes to search engine algorithms that have impacted the way that links are valued, links are still an important factor in SEO.
Here are a few reasons why link building is still relevant in 2023:
1. Links are still a ranking factor
Search engines use a variety of factors to determine where websites should rank in search engine results pages. Links are still one of the most important factors. While the way that search engines value links has evolved over time, links are still a critical part of SEO.
2. Links help to establish authority
When other websites link back to your site, they are essentially vouching for your content. This can help to establish your site as an authority in your niche. As your site becomes more established as an authority, it may become easier to earn new links, which can further boost your SEO.
3. Links help to drive traffic
While the primary goal of link building is to boost your search engine rankings, links can also help to drive direct traffic to your site. When people see links to your site on other websites, they may be inclined to click through to your site and learn more about what you have to offer.
4. Links can help to improve your brand visibility
When other websites link back to your site, they are essentially giving you free advertising. This can help to increase your brand visibility and awareness, which can have a positive impact on your business.
How to approach link building in 2023:
While link building is still a valuable SEO strategy in 2023, it’s important to approach it in the right way. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your link building efforts:
1. Focus on quality over quantity
As mentioned earlier, quality is more important than quantity when it comes to link building in 2023. Focus on getting links from authoritative websites that are relevant to your niche, rather than trying to get as many links as possible. This means you should avoid buying links or engaging in any other spammy link building practices, as these can actually harm your SEO.
2. Create high-quality, shareable content
One of the best ways to earn high-quality links is to create content that people want to share and link to. Be creative with the type of content you create. You can write blog posts or create infographics, videos to make the content more interactive. It goes without saying that your content must always be well-researched, informative, and engaging. You should also promote your content on social media and other online channels to increase its visibility and reach.
3. Guest blog on authoritative websites
Guest blogging is a great way to earn links from authoritative websites in your niche. Look for websites that accept guest posts and pitch them with a high-quality article idea that will appeal to their audience. Make sure you include a link back to your website in your bio or within the content, but don’t overdo it – one or two links is usually sufficient.
4. Build relationships with other website owners
Building relationships with other website owners in your niche can also be a great way to earn links. Reach out to other website owners and bloggers and offer to collaborate on content or cross-promote each other’s websites. Over time, these relationships can lead to natural, high-quality links that will help to boost your SEO. Avoid forming a network among these websites as Google considers them spammy. Only collaborate with websites that are related to your niche or are talking about it.
5. Focus on local SEO
Did you know “near me” searches have gone up 136%. For local businesses, it is a gold mine that’s left unused. When I say to focus on local SEO, I mean getting listed in local directories, optimizing your Google My Business listing, and getting links from other local businesses and organizations. These local links can help to improve your visibility in local search results and drive more targeted traffic to your website.
Link building is still a valuable SEO strategy in 2023, but it’s important to approach it in the right way. By focusing on quality over quantity, creating high-quality content, guest blogging on authoritative websites, building relationships with other website owners, and focusing on local SEO, you can earn the high-quality links you need to improve your search engine rankings and drive more targeted traffic to your website. Thinking of hiring an SEO specialist for your local business? Get in touch with T Parker Marketing today.
