The trends in SEO keep changing as search engines update their algorithm and policies frequently. However, link-building remains an essential constituent for driving traffic and increasing brand awareness.
Link building is an integral part of search engine optimization. With an effective strategy, businesses will not only rank their websites high. They can also build a reputation among customers and increase the chances of generating leads and sales. Unfortunately, many companies find themselves wrapped up in the rife of myths and misbeliefs. The more search engines’ conceal the algorithms in privacy, the more companies dwell in ambiguities and misapprehensions. In turn, companies often struggle with their link-building campaign and find it difficult where they need to focus.
Although you might not realize it now, these misleading link-building concepts can bring the success of your website to a screeching halt. Are you constantly torn between which link-building techniques to implement and which to ignore? Below are some of the widespread myths that you should avoid at all cost:
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Myth 1: Frequent Link Building Will Get Your Website Penalized By Search Engines
The notion that Google penalizes websites that build links quickly is entirely fake. It is up to you which pace you want to choose for the backlink profile. Keeping in mind that as long as you get natural links, Google will not penalize your website.
If you publish top-notch content on your site and you achieve many links through it, it would appear completely normal to Google. However, the anchor texts of all these links shouldn’t be the same. Else, this would raise suspicion, and in this case, Google might take some action.
Myth 2: The Trend Of Guest Posting For Building Links Is Dead
One of the most prevalent link building myths is that guest posting no longer is an effective way to earn links for a website. According to this misconception, if you write a guest blog to achieve maximum reach and build a link profile, Google would consider it a spammy technique. However, a myth is, after all, a long-drawn-out story that holds no truth.
Guest blogging is still alive and one of the top ways for building links. All you need is to choose a relevant and authoritative website, provide helpful information to users, and create quality content.
Myth 3: Exact Match Anchors Can Get Natural Links
Are you also a firm believer in creating an anchor text that exactly matches the phrase you wish for linking? Do you think you can get natural links and rank high on SERPs if you implement this strategy? However, it is just a myth today and has no significance in the link-building process. The truth is Google penalizes website that consists of several exact match anchors since it considers them as spam.
Previously, site owners would try these strategies to build links. At that time, SEO experts considered keyword stuffing as their usual practice. However, with time Google has updated its algorithm and now ranks those websites high that have diverse anchor text since they can get natural links. In short, it builds trust and authority.
Myth 4: Links Not Related To Your Niche Do Not Have Value
Links that do not match your niche or industry are low-quality ones is yet another concern. If these links originate from Google business listings, social media accounts, editorials, or directories, there is no need to worry. Search engines support links from high domain authority websites, whether niche-related or not. Although these links are often difficult to get since they have intense competition, they can take your link-building profile to the next level.
However, there are many other elements that you need to factor in when determining the top authority websites. Some of these may include the type of anchor text, the number of links on a website, trust flow, and how much traffic it receives.
Myth 5: Building Great Content Is Enough To Get Links And Rank High
Unquestionably, content is a vital element for a credible link-building strategy. When you create and publish good-quality content, there is a high possibility you would get relevant backlinks. Despite that fact, you can’t just rely only on good content to build authentic links and rank high.
Usually, website owners can find you and your content through relevant keywords. So you can’t just write great content and expect site authors to come up to you if you ignore proper keyword strategy. Ensure that the content you write stands out among your competitors and provides comprehensive information on the topic.
Myth 6: Only Link Building Can Rank Your Website On Top Results
The truth is there is no single approach to get your website rank higher on any search engine. Although link-building is an influential factor, it is not the only one. There are more than 200 factors that Google evaluates before deciding any web page’s rank. These factors include user experience, content, link-building strategy, mobile-friendly design, page loading speed, keyword strategy, URL, sitemap, etc. Google focuses on each of these 200 elements before it contemplates which website to display higher on search engines.
Also, ensure that the links you receive on your post are from authentic and trustworthy sites. Thus, target phrases naturally so that you can achieve credible links. An unstructured link-building strategy can get you penalized.
Myth 7: Link Building On Service Pages Matters The Most
The service page is the essential page of any website. Many people believe if they focus their attention on the service pages, they would be successful and rank high on search engines. However, it is just a myth, after all. Google likes linking strategy in the most natural ways, and linking on service pages are usually promotional. The service page’s main objective is to let the audience know which services you provide and entice them to buy. Thus, you cannot link to these pages naturally.
Final Words
The link-building process doesn’t have to be a tiresome and daunting task. However, implementing link-building fallacies can spell serious disaster for your website. The only way to escape from them is to focus your strategy on valid and authentic tricks that do not fall under black hat SEO. Remember, these are not the only myths and misconceptions that exist in the world of SEO. Figure out a way to filter between lies and truth. Focus on earning links rather than buying them to reap the benefits for the long term.