Backlinks are hyperlinks from external websites that point to pages on your website. Also called inbound links or external links, backlinks serve as "votes of confidence" that signal to search engines and AI systems that your content is valuable and trustworthy.
Backlinks impact visibility because:
- They're a core Google ranking factor
- They build domain authority and trust
- AI systems consider link profiles when evaluating sources
- Quality matters more than quantity
Types of backlinks:
- Editorial links: Natural mentions in content
- Guest post links: From contributed content
- Resource links: From lists and directories
- Broken link building: Replacing dead links
- Digital PR: From news coverage and features
For AI visibility specifically:
- Links from authoritative sources increase AI trust
- Diverse link profiles signal broader recognition
- Industry-specific links build topical authority
- Recent links may indicate current relevance