Here’s the (Clean) Truth About Backlinks and SEO
Let’s rewind to a call I had with a small business owner last month.
They were panicking—organic traffic had dropped like a rock.
“Google must be punishing us,” they said.
They were right.
Turns out their previous agency built a bunch of sketchy backlinks through link farms, blog comment spam, and irrelevant directories. All the shortcuts. None of the strategy.
If you want long-term SEO success, you can’t cheat trust.
That’s what search rankings are all about: earned trust. Not tricks.
Here’s how to build genuine backlinks, keep your SEO squeaky clean, and stay on Google’s good side:
Start with Link-Worthy Content
Think guides, tools, case studies, original data, or local insights.
If people want to reference it, they’ll link to it.
Pro Tip: Local service business? Publish a “Best Of” roundup or DIY checklist relevant to your area. People love sharing local resources.
Build Relationships, Not Just Links
Backlinks happen more often when you’re active in your space:
- Guest post on industry blogs
- Partner with complementary businesses
- Sponsor local events or charities (and get listed on their sites)
- Get featured on podcasts or interviews
- Share your insights in niche communities
Claim Your Mentions
Use tools like Google Alerts or Ahrefs to find where people mention your brand but don’t link. Reach out with a friendly nudge to ask for the link.
Don’t Forget Local Directories
Clean, relevant directories like Yelp, BBB, Chamber of Commerce, and industry-specific platforms still matter—especially for local SEO.
Avoid Shady Shortcuts
If a link-building offer feels too good to be true (“500 backlinks for $50!”), it probably is. Google will catch it.
And when you fall from page 1, it’s a long way back.
SEO is a long game.
Clean backlinks are like good karma—they build slow, but they last.
Want to keep your rankings high? Think quality over quantity. Always.
What’s worked best for you when it comes to earning backlinks?