Backlink Quality or Quantity: What Matters More?

On one side, backlink quality. Some marketers argue that you only need to worry about improving your rankings through the quality of the backlinks you generate.

There is no need to worry about the number of backlinks you create as long as they come from high-domain authority websites.

On the other side, some individuals support the number of backlinks. They say that the number of backlinks you create is far more critical than the quality of those links. They argue that the quality of the backlinks is of minor consequence.

So, which one matters more, backlink quality or quantity?

That is what we will be discussing in this blog.  And we aim to resolve this debate once and for all. Or at least until Google releases a fresh algorithm update.

But before we delve into whether backlink quality over quantity is correct, let’s first understand what backlinks are.

What are Backlinks?

Backlinks are links on other websites that point to your website. In SEO, they’re like votes of credibility from other websites. The more high-quality links you have, the higher your site will likely rank in search engines.

That’s what, as a marketer, we want, suitable? We all want our backlinks to grow our website through the rankings and generate passive traffic and leads consistently every month.

That’s the dream of every marketing team. However, now the question is, should you focus on the quantity or quality of backlinks?

While many focus on backlink quality over quantity, others believe quantity matters more. To find the answer, let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of each.

What are Quality Backlinks?

First, let’s discuss quality backlinks. So, a quality backlink is a link from a high domain authority website that is well-trusted by search engines and users alike.

In other terms, not only do the robots trust the website, but the actual people also trust the website. This side of supporters says that the more trustworthy the website and the higher the domain authority, the more valuable the backlink for your rankings.

Usually, a ranking of 60 to 100 is phenomenal, 40 to 50 is okay, and below 40 could be considered better. To build high-quality backlinks, start by building links from high domain authority websites relevant to your niche and trusted by searchers all over the internet.

But the real question is: are high-quality backlinks worth your time? Do you prioritize backlink quality over quantity?

But here’s our fundamental question: are these links worth your time?

Let’s take a moment to see why they’re good and bad and what strategies you can use to build them.

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Why Backlink Quality over Quantity is Good

Quality backlinks win because they’re high quality, which means they are intrinsically beneficial for domain authority and SEO rankings.

With these backlinks, you don’t have to worry about hurting your rankings by unintentionally building a relationship with a spam website.  They are trustworthy and foolproof.

This plays a vital role in your link-building strategy; you don’t want your rankings to survive on suspicious practices but on real, valuable, meaningful, and relevant links back to your website. Quality backlinks over quantity promise just that kind of attention.

As they are practically assured of building your domain authority, they are also likely to help your rankings. We can also say that quality backlinks are beneficial because you know what you’re getting.

You understand that the links you’re creating are high-value and, with time, will generate the passive traffic you dream of.

The other advantage of high-quality links is that each one is worth more for your SEO. Because the links are from high-domain authority websites, they are more valuable than others.

But now, let’s shift our focus from discussing what is good about quality backlinks to why they’re bad.

Why Backlink Quality over Quantity is Not Good

Although quality backlinks are more important for SEO, the negative is just as obvious. Unless you're an established company with high domain authority and fantastic ranking in Google My Business Listing, all of those links will take a long time to build.

If I asked you, how tough would it be to gain a backlink from Forbes, Entrepreneur, or Success? For many of you, such a thing may seem impossible.

This is the difficulty with high-quality backlinks. While they are extremely valuable, they are also significantly more difficult to obtain and consequently time-consuming.

Generally, focusing on backlink quality over quantity will result in a limited amount of high-commitment traffic. You'll often have fewer good-quality links because it's difficult to build more than a few links on high-domain authority websites.

However, they are often highly committed because they are more relevant and hence better suited to your ideal client than other connections.

Many businesses believe they do not have enough time to generate these links. And this is partially true. But this is not entirely correct.

In fact, there are a few strategies for creating massively important links for your website, which will boost your ranks, traffic, and bottom line.

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How You Can Get High-Quality Backlinks

The following are a few steps that you can take to get high-quality backlinks:

1. Create Exceptional Content: Create detailed, informative content that directly addresses your target audience's pain points. Focus on creating content that is shareable and linkable.

2. Identify Linkable Assets: Once you've crafted valuable content, identify specific sections or data points that can be repurposed into infographics, statistics, or data visualizations.

3. Build Relationships: Network with influencers and journalists in your industry. Offer your expertise as a source for articles or studies.

4. Leverage HARO and Similar Platforms: Use platforms like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to respond to journalist inquiries and position yourself as an expert.

5. Broken Link Building: Find broken links on authoritative websites and offer your content as a replacement.

6. Guest Posting: Contribute high-quality articles to relevant websites to gain exposure and backlinks.

7. Monitor and Analyze: Track your backlink profile using tools like Google Search Console and Ahrefs. Disavow any low-quality links.

Building high-quality links has a tremendous amount of value to site owners. They help to establish credibility so that Google knows they can trust your website.

Quantity Backlinks: Are they Good or Bad?

So, now that you know what quality backlinks are, why they’re beneficial for your SEO, the problem with them, and even how you can create high-quality links.

But what about those arguing that backlink quantity is far more critical than quality? Are they correct?

To whether they’re correct or not. We first need to discuss what backlink quantity is. When people say, they don’t value backlink quality over quantity. These people are not saying generating many backlinks from spammy websites.

They often focus more on getting backlinks from low-domain or medium-domain authority sites that are reliable.

The idea is that these markets are far more concerned with getting links than with the links themselves. With this approach, they ultimately generate a massive amount of low-commitment traffic.

That means there are both sides, so let’s take a closer look at why focusing on backlink quality over quantity is not good and why focusing on quantity is good and it’s terrible.

Why Quantity of Backlinks is Good

There are some reasons why creating many links without focusing too much on the quality of those links is a good thing. For one, you can quickly and easily make many links to your website without the concern for the links themselves.

Another reason is these links will ultimately help your rankings. Most of the time, they will move you through the rankings faster than relentlessly focusing on quality.

The number of referring domains is directly proportional to how high a website ranks on Google. Referring domains are the number of domains that link to your website. So, rather than the number of links, this is the number of URLs that refer to your domain.

However, there are other benefits besides increasing the number of referring domains. It also increases the overall amount of backlinks, which improves your rankings.

In other words, focusing on quantity is a good use of time in your link-building plan. Many argue that the only thing matters is backlink quality over quantity. However, the reality is that quantity also matters and can be effective if you implement it correctly.

However, it also has a downside.

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Why Quantity of Backlinks is Bad

When you focus on the number of backlinks over quality, you run the risk of accidentally generating backlinks from spammy websites, which will, in turn, hurt your SEO.

Also, when you generate many links, focusing on quantity instead of quality, all of those links will be less valuable. That’s not bad necessarily but you need to know it.

Now that you know the upside and downside of quantity links. You know that they can be a little risky but having a lot of backlinks can also be wildly beneficial for your website.

How to get a lot of Backlinks

You can easily generate a lot of backlinks without much concern for the quality of those links. Here are a few methods you can use:

1. Directory Submissions: Submit your website to online directories. While many directories have low authority, they can still provide a quick influx of backlinks.

2. Forum and Blog Commenting: Participate in online forums and blogs related to your niche. Include a link to your website in your signature or comments.

3. Article Submission: Submit articles to article directories. Many of these directories offer backlinks to your website.

4. Social Bookmarking: Share your content on popular social bookmarking sites. While not directly creating backlinks, it can indirectly lead to link generation.

5. Guest Posting on Low-Quality Sites: Contribute articles to websites with low domain authority. This can be a quick way to build links, but the quality is often poor.

These are some of the approaches you can use to generate a massive amount of backlinks in a short amount of time.

But which is better: This method, or the backlink quality over quantity method?

Let’s find below:

So, what Matters More Quality vs. Quantity?

Honestly speaking, neither is better. We don’t want to be upset, but the reality is that both backlink quality and backlink quantity have their place in the online world.

For some businesses, amount will be more effective, and quality will be more effective for others.  Ultimately, you may want to fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

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Conclusion: Should You Really Focus on Backlink Quality over Quantity?

The age-old debate between backlink quality over quantity often simplifies a complex issue. In reality, both factors play a crucial role in SEO success.

While high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites can significantly boost your rankings, a diverse backlink profile with a healthy mix of quantity and quality is essential for long-term visibility.

Focus on creating exceptional content that naturally attracts high-quality backlinks while implementing targeted outreach and link-building tactics.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both strategies, you can develop a comprehensive link-building plan that drives organic traffic and improves your website's authority.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your backlink profile and adapt your strategy based on performance metrics and algorithm updates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What matters more backlink quality or quantity?

Ans. Backlink quality matters more than quantity. While a high number of backlinks might seem impressive, backlinks from authoritative, relevant websites hold more weight. Focus on building relationships and creating valuable content to attract high-quality links.

Q. Which is more important quality content or backlinks?

Ans. Both quality content and backlinks are crucial. High-quality content attracts backlinks naturally, and backlinks amplify the reach of your content.

Q. Which backlink is most powerful?

Ans. Backlinks from high-authority websites with relevant content are generally considered the most powerful. These websites strongly influence search engine rankings, and a link from them can significantly boost your website's visibility.

Q. Do backlinks increase traffic?

Ans. Yes, backlinks can increase traffic to your website. When other websites link to your content, it exposes your site to a new audience. High-quality backlinks from relevant websites are more likely to drive targeted traffic.

Q. How do I get quality backlinks fast?

Ans. Building high-quality backlinks takes time and effort. Focus on creating exceptional content, building relationships with influencers, and conducting outreach campaigns. While no quick fixes exist, consistent efforts can yield results over time.

Q. Which backlinks should be avoided?

Ans. Avoid low-quality backlinks from spammy or irrelevant websites. These links can harm your website's reputation and potentially lead to search engine penalties. Instead, you should focus on building natural and organic backlinks through high-quality content and outreach.