The Future of Search: Predictions for the Evolution of Search Engines & SEO Strategies in 2023 & Beyond
In what ways has the process of link-building transformed over time? The realm of SEO is constantly in flux, as evidenced by the rapid advancement of technology and the accompanying evolution of the internet. As users have become more discerning, the quality of content has risen, and the online landscape has grown increasingly competitive, making the task of constructing links more difficult.
However, building links is still an effective way to improve one’s Google ranking and establish oneself as a credible authority in a given field. However, blindly adhering to prescribed guidelines is no longer feasible. Modern link building is proactive and involves seizing opportunities as they arise, sometimes even devising them oneself.
Let’s briefly review the fundamentals of link building:
- Optimal backlinks originate from high-authority websites specializing in the same or similar niche as yours.
- A hyperlink with a rel=nofollow attribute is known as a “nofollow” link, which does not transfer domain authority to your website. Ideally, you should aim to secure links without this attribute (known as “dofollow” links) to boost your domain authority. Nonetheless, “nofollow” links still have benefits for your link profile, as they establish your credibility in Google’s estimation.
- A solitary “dofollow” backlink from a domain suffices, though acquiring more would not hurt.
- Strive to make the anchor text of your backlinks match your targeted keywords for ranking. For instance, if you operate a “bakery shop in London,” the most desirable backlink would feature that exact anchor text.
- Finally, always check a website’s domain authority before pursuing link building; if it falls short of your standards, you may need to reconsider your approach.
“Although domain authority is not considered a Google ranking factor, it is often utilized by various SEO tools to analyze and enhance your strategy by comparing it with your competitors. The greater your domain authority, the higher the chances of securing top positions on the SERPs”.
2023 Link Building Best Practices
Keeping these suggestions in view, what strategies can you employ to create links leading to your website? Countless prospects exist already. We will discuss both types of approaches below.
1. Research your competitors’ backlink profiles to uncover potential linking opportunities
Begin by creating a log of your immediate rivals. In case you already have a clear idea of who they are, proceed to the following stage. However, if you haven’t identified them yet, there are two ways to accomplish this:
- Conduct a search on Google for your desired keywords. Although selecting competitor websites from the top search results page is a possibility, it may not be entirely dependable because of the limited amount of information available.
- Alternatively, use an SEO tool specifically designed to identify competitors. This approach will provide you with a plethora of information to help you make informed decisions.
- Consider entrusting your work to an SEO agency UAE or seeking their assistance. As specialists in the field, they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to aid you in obtaining a suitable competitor analysis.
2. Develop exclusive sources of valuable data
You’ve probably heard the phrases “Content is king” and “Create high-quality content” countless times before. However, if your goal is to obtain backlinks, what type of content should you produce?
Although any content can generate links if it reaches the right audience, certain types of content are more likely to receive backlinks than others. Examples include graphs, surveys, research findings, infographics, and case studies. Essentially, any content that contains valuable data will likely be linked to by others.
People enjoy quoting statistics and percentages, and you’ve likely experienced this as well. How many times have you searched Google for a source to include numbers in your content? Once you’ve located and referenced the information, what was the next step? You added a link.
Therefore, if you can produce this type of content for your website, there is a good chance that others will want to cite you, particularly if you are a genuine specialist who can provide rare data. It may be a challenge, but it is undoubtedly worthwhile.
3. Maintain the freshness of your content
Ensuring the quality of your content is critical. As previously mentioned, outdated content is a widespread issue, and link building is not just about generating new links, but also about creating a robust link profile, which involves building new backlinks, removing spammy backlinks, and retaining high-quality backlinks.
Although you may have secured some excellent backlinks in the past, websites may stop linking to you if they discover better sources. Therefore, creating and offering superior, linkable content is an effective link-building strategy, but if your content is outdated, you could lose out.
To avoid being on the losing end, ensure that your content remains current and provides the most relevant and useful information, allowing you to retain more backlinks and maintain your domain authority.
4. Offer to Repair Broken Links on Other Sites
Broken links are a common issue that website owners typically address by removing them promptly. However, some may delay the process, creating an opportunity for effective link-building. To take advantage of this, you can visit other websites and identify broken links.
Once you have identified broken links pointing to content similar to yours, the next step is to reach out to the site owner and offer your link as a replacement. To do so, you need to locate the person responsible for editing the page with the broken link and contact them. It is essential to offer something of value first before requesting a backlink.
Broken link building can be applied to any website that is a suitable candidate for link building. However, it is advisable to focus on competitors in your niche as they are likely to have higher domain authority, making them an excellent source for backlinks. Resource pages are also an excellent option. Another variation of broken link building involves replacing links with outdated content.
5. Advertise Your Services on Other Websites
If you are confident in your expertise and have established a reputation within your community, you can leverage your knowledge to benefit other websites. Look for websites that can benefit from your input and reach out to their content creators.
This outreach can lead to opportunities such as writing guest articles, giving interviews, publishing in online journals, and participating in podcasts. These opportunities offer solid link-building potential, as they result in authoritative backlinks and access to a broad audience.
The challenge is establishing enough credibility for your input to be valued. However, once you achieve this status, creating new backlinks becomes more manageable.
On A Final Note
In 2023, SEO and backlink building remain crucial for online businesses and websites looking to rank high on search engine results pages. The importance of these strategies stems from the fact that they increase visibility, and drive traffic. With the ever-increasing competition in the digital space, it’s becoming more challenging to stand out without investing in SEO and backlink building.
The significance of SEO and backlink building in 2023 cannot be overstated. By focusing on creating high-quality content, identifying link-building opportunities, and building quality backlinks, online businesses, and websites can stay ahead of the competition and enjoy long-term success.
