TL;DR
Understanding the intricacies of backlink strategies can give you a competitive edge.
This article will break down what backlinks are, why they’re important, and offer some insight into how many backlinks are generally needed to rank.
Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors when it comes to improving a website’s visibility in search engines like Google. But the question that often arises is, how many backlinks do you need to rank?
What are backlinks, and why are they important?
Backlinks, also known as inbound links or incoming links, are created when one website links to another. In essence, they act as a vote of confidence for the linked website.
Google views backlinks as a signal of authority, meaning that the more high-quality links your website receives, the more likely it is to rank well in search results.
Think of backlinks as endorsements. If your site is frequently linked to by trusted, high-authority websites, search engines will take this as an indication that your content is relevant and valuable.
This is a crucial component of SEO strategy, especially for businesses trying to establish themselves in competitive industries.
How many backlinks do you need to rank?
The number of backlinks required to rank depends on several factors, such as your industry, competition, and the quality of the backlinks themselves.
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According to a study by Ahrefs, the top-ranking page in Google has, on average, 3.8 times more backlinks than pages ranking between positions 2 and 10.
This indicates that backlinks are crucial in securing that top spot. However, the number of backlinks required varies depending on your competition.
For instance, in less competitive markets, you may only need a few high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites to rank well. On the other hand, if you’re in a competitive industry like finance or real estate, you may need a substantial number of backlinks to climb the ranks.
Quality vs quantity: What really matters?
It’s not just about how many backlinks you have, but the quality of those backlinks. A common mistake people make is trying to gather as many backlinks as possible without considering their quality. In reality, a few high-authority backlinks are far more valuable than hundreds of low-quality links.
A good backlink strategy involves focusing on Domain Rating (DR). A DR score of 50 and above is considered strong, and securing backlinks from such sites can have a significant impact on your rankings.
Key metrics 🔑
- Poor: 1-39 DR
- Average: 40-49 DR
- Good: 50-59 DR
- Excellent: 60+ DR
How to acquire high-quality backlinks
Now that you understand the importance of backlinks and have a rough idea of how many you might need to rank, the next step is knowing how to acquire them. Here are a few strategies you can use:
📝 Guest posting: Writing articles for high-authority websites and including a link back to your site is a great way to gain valuable backlinks. Many UK blogs and news outlets accept guest posts, but be sure the content is relevant and valuable.
⛓️ Broken link building: This involves finding broken links on high-authority sites and suggesting your content as a replacement. It’s a helpful strategy for acquiring backlinks while adding value to the site owner.
📰 Digital PR: Getting featured in media outlets, especially those with a high Domain Rating, is another powerful way to build backlinks. PR efforts in the UK can lead to coverage in top publications like The Guardian, The Independent, or industry-specific platforms.
⭐️ Content marketing: The more valuable and unique your content is, the more likely others will link to it organically. Think of long-form guides, infographics, and data-driven articles that others in your industry will want to reference.
Focus on the quality, not quantity
When it comes to building a strong backlink profile, it’s essential to take a strategic approach.
We offer tailored link building services that adapt to your unique business needs. With prices starting at £180 per link, our services include everything from high-DR backlinks (25-70) to custom anchor plans and dedicated account management
Digital PR pay-per-link
£450 per link
50+ DR publication link
Only pay when link goes live
Set your monthly budget
Access to PR Manager
Flexible monthly budgets
Target dream publications
3 month PR & link package
£1,800 per month
8x DR 25+ links / month
2x DR 50+ PR links / month
Links live every 30 days
All content included
Access to whole team
Custom anchor plan
We offer flexible packages to suit different business sizes, from trial orders to 3-month link building projects, ensuring consistent growth with live backlinks every 30 days.