To get the authoritative links that Google respects and that will count for your search rankings, you need to concentrate on obtaining contextual links (i.e., links surrounded by relevant content). In 2012 Google launched its Penguin Algorithm, which identified spammy link building and penalized it, and rewarded only contextual links. In other words, Google is focused on quality rather than quantity – 5 to 10 relevant links from authoritative sites and, depending on your niche, you will most likely begin seeing results from Google and other search engines.
Contextual backlinks can be an incredibly powerful tool in growing your SEO strategy, and in this blog post, we will help you understand what they are and why they are important as well as how you can get them.
What are contextual backlinks?
Contextual backlinks are links that are placed deep within the content of a webpage, as opposed to links that may be placed in the header, footer, or sidebar. They are links that are placed within the text of a webpage and are designed to flow naturally within the content.
Contextual backlinks are seen as more valuable by search engines because they offer relevance and credibility to the content of the page. For example, if you have a blog post talking about product reviews, including a link to an article talking about how to do product reviews would be seen as more valuable than a link to a page on your website that talks about general SEO strategies.
Anchor links are also a type of contextual backlink. They involve linking specific words or phrases to another page. For example, if you were writing an article about SEO trends for 2023, you could link the phrase “trends in 2023” to a blog post talking more about this topic.
Characteristics of contextual links are:
- Their placement fits in naturally within the page content.
- The linked URL is relevant to the article.
- The link tells the reader where they are going if they click on it.
Why are contextual backlinks important?
The primary reason why contextual backlinks are so important is that they provide a higher level of relevance for the content on your webpage. When placed within the text of a webpage that addresses a similar topic, contextual backlinks signal to search engines that the linked content is relevant. This can help increase the authority of your webpage, leading to higher search rankings. Additionally, contextual backlinks can drive traffic to your webpage from the site where the link is placed.
How to get contextual backlinks?
The best way to get contextual backlinks is by creating high-quality content that other website owners find valuable. When they link to your content from their own, a contextual link is created. One of the best ways to achieve this is through guest blogging. By writing articles for other websites in your industry, you can include a link to your website within the context of the article. Another way to get contextual backlinks is by compiling a list of online resources related to your industry. When other industry websites find your list useful, they may link to it within their own content.
Connect with content curators.
Content curators are people who have been in the industry for a long time and can provide valuable insight into their field of work. Content curators use social media and search engines to find content worth curating. Try contacting them by email.
Create useful infographics.
Design useful highly descriptive infographics for your website and share them with sites that write about your topic offering them a guest post.
Interview high authority site owners and get interviewed yourself.
Interviews are very popular whether video or written. They are an interesting way to tap into other’s knowledge of a particular topic.
Most of all, create newsworthy content.
There are thousands of credible bloggers out there that are looking for new authoritative content – they will find you!
Tips for successful contextual backlinks
When trying to get contextual backlinks, it is important to keep in mind that relevance is key. Make sure that the content on your webpage is relevant to the topic being discussed on the webpage where you would like the link to be placed. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that your content is of high quality. Poorly written content is unlikely to earn a contextual backlink. Finally, avoid spammy tactics such as buying links or embedding links within low-quality content. These practices can lead to penalties from search engines.
Contextual backlinks are an important part of any SEO strategy. By focusing on creating high-quality content that other website owners find valuable, you can earn valuable contextual backlinks that will help increase the authority and visibility of your website. As with any SEO tactic, it is important to be patient and consistent. In time, your efforts will be rewarded with higher search rankings and increased traffic to your website.
