How to Make Backlinks Work for You in 2015

Since backlinks are still a large part of ranking well in Google, it makes sense to use what amounts to the best practices for acquiring backlinks that not just count with Google, but are going to withstand scrutiny.

For most, knowing what Google wants with respect to backlinks is a confusing enterprise, and one fraught with dire missteps that can lead to search engine results disaster.

To aid in avoiding that scenario, let’s take a peek into some of the best practices for building backlinks moving forward in 2015, and how you can capitalize on them.

5 Best practices of link building in 2015

Vary your anchor text – When Google sees a link profile containing 95% of one particular keyword, it is a sure sign to them that some rather heavy link engineering is going on, and you will be penalized. Instead, vary your anchor text to include text that occurs naturally, as well as a few naked URLs and “Click Here’s”, etc.

Go after social links – One of the easiest ways to garner new and relevant backlinks is through your social channels. This works for you in two ways, also showing that your pages are socially engaged.

Aim for natural growth – Any huge influx of links is usually looked at very carefully, and often not all are counted. This can’t be helped sometimes, of course, as in the case of a launch or event, but just be forewarned.

Don’t buy links – There is no safe way to buy backlinks and you will eventually be found out. Avoid those pie in the sky offers of 10,000 links for $10, as it will definitely hurt you, probably sooner rather than later!

Avoid private blog networks – One way people have been using to engineer lots of relevant backlinks is through the use of private blog networks. Google’s recent updates have uncovered a lot of these, and you need to be a very smart operator to make that tactic work today, which most of us aren’t or have time to be. Build links gradually and naturally: you’ll win in the end!