What is a backlink?
SEO Definition and Examples
A backlink is a hyperlink placed on an external site that points to a page on your site, signalling authority and relevance to Google.
Full Definition: What is a backlink
A backlink (or external link, inbound link) is a hyperlink on a domain other than your own that points to a page or resource on your site. Google treats every backlink as a vote of confidence from the source site. The higher the authority and the more relevant the source, the more value the backlink passes — a phenomenon known as "link equity" or "PageRank". A single backlink from a high-authority site is worth more than dozens of links from weak sites.
Why Does Backlink Matter for SEO?
Ahrefs studies show that 96.55% of web pages get no organic traffic at all — and the absence of backlinks is the main cause. Google has confirmed that backlinks remain one of the top 3 ranking factors in their algorithm, alongside content and RankBrain.
Source: Google Search Central — Link SchemesFrequently Asked Questions about Backlink
Related Terms
Domain Authority (DA)
IntermediateDomain Authority is a score from 0 to 100, created by Moz, that estimates how well a domain can rank on Google results pages.
Link Building
IntermediateLink building is the active process of acquiring backlinks from external sites in order to increase your domain's authority and improve your Google ranking.
Nofollow vs Dofollow
BeginnerDofollow (default) lets Google follow a link and pass authority, while nofollow (rel="nofollow") signals the link should not be followed and passes no PageRank.
Anchor Text
IntermediateAnchor text is the clickable text of a hyperlink that tells Google and users what the page the link points to is about.
Put Backlink into practice
Explore how to apply this concept to your industry and city.
