What Is a Backlink? A Simple Guide for Boosting Your SEO

If you’ve ever wondered how websites climb to the top of Google search results, backlinks play a big part in the answer. Whether you're a local service provider or running a national brand, understanding backlinks—and how they work—is essential for search engine optimization (SEO).

Here's a quick guide to what backlinks are, how they help your site, and why they matter in both local SEO and SERP SEO.

What Is a Backlink?

A backlink is simply a hyperlink from one website that points to another. Think of it like a vote of confidence—when another website links to yours, search engines see that as a signal that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The more quality backlinks you have, the more credibility your site gains in the eyes of Google.

Backlinks are also sometimes called inbound links or external links, and they’re one of the most important ranking factors for SEO.

How Do You Get Backlinks?

Backlinks aren’t something you can just buy or wish into existence—they need to be earned. You can get high-quality backlinks by creating valuable content (like blogs, guides, or local resources), submitting your business to local directories, collaborating with other websites, or getting featured in local news or community pages.

For local SEO, this often means building citations—listings of your business name, address, and phone number on trusted directories like Yelp, Google Business Profile, and Chamber of Commerce sites. The goal is simple: earn trust from both people and search engines.

Why Backlinks Matter for SERP SEO

SERP SEO (Search Engine Results Page SEO) focuses on getting your website to rank higher in standard, non-local search results. Backlinks are crucial here. When authoritative sites (like news outlets, blogs, or .edu domains) link to your website, Google takes notice. These links essentially say, "This site knows what it’s talking about."

But not all backlinks are created equal. A few high-quality backlinks from relevant, trusted sites will do far more for your rankings than dozens of spammy ones from random directories. That’s why SEO experts put so much effort into what’s called link building—strategically acquiring backlinks that move the needle.

What About Local SEO? That’s Where Citations Come In

In the world of local SEO, the term “backlink” takes on a slightly different meaning. When optimizing for local map pack rankings (think Google Maps or “plumbers near me” searches), we talk more about citations.

A citation is any mention of your business online—especially with consistent Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP). These usually appear on directory websites like Yelp, YellowPages, or local Chamber of Commerce pages. While they might not always link directly to your site, they still count as signals to Google that your business is real, active, and tied to a physical location.

That said, having both citations and actual backlinks pointing to your site is the magic combination for dominating in both local and organic rankings.

Quick Tips for Earning Backlinks

• Write blog posts that answer real questions your audience is asking

• Partner with local businesses or get featured in community roundups

• Submit to directories with high domain authority

• Ask suppliers or partners to link to your business on their site

• Be active on local news or event sites—a great way to earn natural links

Final Thoughts

Backlinks and citations may sound technical, but they’re just modern-day word-of-mouth. Whether you're trying to rank in Williamson County or across the country, your website needs those trust signals to compete. At Wilco Web Services, we help businesses earn high-quality links that actually improve rankings—and get results.

Ready to level up your SEO game? Call or text us at 737-530-4242, or fill out the contact form on our site to get started. At Wilco Web Services, we’re here to help your business get found and grow.