So, you’ve probably heard everyone in the SEO world talking about backlinks like they’re the holy grail of ranking on Google. And, yeah, backlinks are super important for helping your website get noticed, but let me guess—you’re wondering, “How many backlinks do I need to really make an impact?” Don’t worry, I got you. We’re about to break this all down in a way that makes sense for you as a creative or small business owner.

I know how it feels to hear SEO advice that sounds super technical and overwhelming. But trust me, it doesn’t have to be. You don’t need hundreds of backlinks to rank. In fact, the quality of your backlinks matters way more than quantity. Let’s get into the details and figure out exactly how many backlinks you need to reach your goals!

What Are Backlinks, and Why Do You Need Them?

Let’s start with the basics, boo. A backlink is simply a link from another website that points back to your website. Think of them like digital shoutouts. When another site links to yours, it’s like they’re giving you a vote of confidence, telling Google, “Hey, this content is valuable!” The more high-quality links you get, the more Google takes notice of your site, which can boost your rankings.

But here’s the tea: not all backlinks are created equal. It’s not about spamming the internet with links to your site—it’s about getting the right links from trustworthy, authoritative websites in your industry. That’s what really gives your site that SEO glow-up.

So, How Many Do I Need?

I know you’re here for the magic number, but the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on your goals, your competition, and your niche. But don’t stress! Let’s look at a few things to consider when determining the right number of backlinks for you.

Check Out the Competition

Start by looking at your top competitors. Google your main keywords and see what sites are ranking at the top. Tools like SEMRush or Ahrefs can show you how many backlinks these top-ranking sites have. If they have hundreds of high-quality backlinks, you’ll need to aim for something similar. But if they have fewer backlinks, you might not need as many as you think.

➔ Pro Tip: Don’t just focus on the number—pay attention to where those backlinks are coming from. If your competitors have backlinks from reputable sites, that’s the kind of quality you want to aim for.

Consider Your Niche

Different industries have different linking standards. For example, if you’re in a competitive space like fashion or beauty, you might need more backlinks to compete with the big players. But if you’re in a niche where there’s less competition, fewer links can still help you rank. This is what I did in 2012 for my homeschool blog, which at the time was a much smaller niche. The key is to get links back to your site that are relevant to your industry.

➔ Pro Tip: Focus on building relationships with other businesses, bloggers, or influencers in your niche. A handful of high-quality, relevant links will do wonders for your SEO.

Quality Over Quantity

Friend, let’s keep it real. You don’t want to get caught up in the numbers game. A few backlinks from high-authority sites (like news outlets, popular blogs, or trusted industry sources) can have a bigger impact than hundreds of low-quality ones. It’s better to have 10 powerful, relevant backlinks than 100 random ones that don’t move the needle.

Remember to avoid backlinks from spammy or low-quality websites. Google can penalize you if it thinks you’re trying to manipulate rankings with shady tactics. Stick to organic, authentic backlinks that make sense for your brand.

How Do I Get Backlinks that are GOOD Quality?

Now that you’ve got a handle on how many backlinks you need, let’s talk about how to actually get them. It’s not as hard as you think!

Create Valuable Content

The best way to attract backlinks is to create content that people actually want to link to. When your content is useful, informative, or entertaining, other sites will naturally want to share it. Focus on creating blog posts, videos, or infographics that solve problems for your audience or offer unique insights. The more value you bring, the more backlinks you’ll attract.

➔ Creating evergreen content (content that stays relevant over time) is great for backlinks. Create resources, guides, or how-tos that people will keep linking to for years to come.

Build Relationships

It’s all about connections! Reach out to other bloggers, business owners, or influencers in your space. Collaborate on projects, guest post on their blogs, or offer to share your expertise in exchange for a backlink. Networking isn’t just for in-person events—it’s crucial for building your online presence, too.

➔ An idea for you: When pitching for backlinks, always lead with value. Offer something helpful, like a collaboration or a guest post, instead of just asking for a favor.

Get Featured

If you want those high-authority backlinks, you’ve got to get your name out there! Reach out to media outlets, submit your business to online directories, or get interviewed on podcasts or blogs. These are great ways to earn powerful backlinks that’ll boost your SEO and build your brand at the same time.

➔ Look for opportunities to get featured in round-up posts or resource lists. These types of posts often link out to multiple websites, giving you a chance to get noticed.

How Will You Actually Rank?

At the end of the day, the number of backlinks you need will depend on your industry, your competition, and your SEO goals. But if you focus on building quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative sites, you’re already on the right track.

Here’s a quick recap to get you started:

➔ Look at the competition: Check how many backlinks your competitors have to gauge what you’ll need.

➔ Quality is key: A few strong backlinks from reputable sources are better than a ton of low-quality ones.

➔ Keep it relevant: Make sure your backlinks come from sites that are relevant to your industry or niche.

Friend, you’ve got this! Start small, build strong connections, and focus on creating valuable content that naturally attracts the right links. With time, your backlink profile will grow, and so will your ranking!

If you’re ready to level up your SEO game and need a little help along the way, reach out to me! Let’s work together to create an SEO strategy that works for you and gets your site ranking higher on Google. You deserve it, and your business does, too! 🌟