Content revised 20 October 2026.
Building backlinks begins with a question: why would another publisher send readers to this page? Review the destination and the method before paying for a package of placements.
Choose a page worth referring to
A useful destination might be an accurate guide, original resource or a clearly explained service relevant to the audience. Check that it works on mobile and gives visitors the information the link suggests. More links to a confusing page don't repair its answer.
Compare common methods carefully
- Guest contributions need a genuine editorial purpose and appropriate disclosure.
- Infographics need accurate information and usable context.
- Directories should be relevant and maintained.
- Forum participation should answer the discussion within the community’s rules.
- Broken-link outreach should suggest a genuinely suitable replacement.
Ask how the links are obtained
Request a description of the work and examples of the kinds of sources involved. A bulk promise of exact-match anchors or permanent positions deserves scrutiny. Keep records of commercial arrangements and who controls placements. A third-party authority score alone doesn't explain the audience or the method.
Keep the relationship honest
Paid advertising is different from independent editorial reference. Commercial placements need suitable qualification. Do not disguise a purchased link as an unsolicited recommendation, or treat a more expensive source as automatically compliant.
Measure more than a count
Review relevant referral activity, actual enquiries and the quality of the published information. Keep source URLs so placements can be checked later. No backlink method guarantees a ranking or a permanent source.
Official guidance: Google’s link-spam policy guidance.