Backlinks: What are they really and how can I create them.

[Dynaread]

I am relatively new to the SEO world, and I want to build backlinks linking to our main site. My preferred way to create backlinks is by adding them in my blog comments or forum responses. I am an active participant in a large number of blogs/forums related to our field and I would like to add relevant backlinks in the comments/answers I post.

I originally thought that a backlink was just a link, but none of the links that I have added to blogs like that have been recognized as backlinks. https://www.dynaread.com/

Why is this so?

I know now that good backlink would be something like: Dynaread is a science based dyslexia remediation program for older struggling readers. However I have no idea how to add this types of links to blog comments or forum pages where there is no link tool. Do I have to do something with HTML?

Please explain briefly what a backlink really is and most importantly how I can create them.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Joy

P.S if you have suggestions about some resources where I can learn more about the subject please let me know. I love to learn more.

[RyanKent]

I find your words of wisdom both thoughtful and inspiring. Thanks for the generous feedback Hans.

[Dynaread]

Dear Ryan:

Joy (my daughter and Marketeer at Dynaread) submitted this question to this forum, and I so much appreciate your response. Let me explain why...

I joined internet professionally back in mid-90's. In the beginning most people - including me - had no real clue of what is was. The doc Com collapse (which collapsed a venture of mine too) was evidence of the fact that nobody really understood yet that internet is simply SOCIETY manifesting itself in the www.

In society people only take you serious, if you have something of real quality to offer: help, love, wisdom, support, tools, whatever. Fake building never lasts. Only truth lasts. I find it fascinating to see that internet has simply sped up the speed in which fake is uncovered. All the more reason to EARN and not to manipulate.

I feel encouraged by your words and coaching, Ryan, to keep on working hard in creating genuine value for the Dyslexia community, and doing so in constructive collaboration with other professionals and .edu's and .org's etc. And that, in a little while, will drive our backlinks. True backlinks.

As in life, there is no quick fix. Possible even less so in the www realm of society.

Thanks again, Ryan.

Hans Dekkers (Dynaread CEO/Founder)

[RyanKent]

I respectfully disagree.

I believe you can still get a Penguin penalty regardless of whether the links were created via an automated tool or by hand. If you manually create 100 links to your site with the anchor text "best dyslexia remedy" you run the risk of being penalized. Whether you break Google's Guidelines automatically or manually is not a factor. The breaking of the rules is the point.

Automated tools can be set with tons of variables to make it look natural. You can say only post between 8am - 8pm, space out posts between a random amount of minutes, etc.

Also, if you build manipulative links in your niche, they are still manipulative links. If Google determines links are manipulative, do you believe their algorithm has a subroutine which says "well, the links are bad but since they are in the same niche we wont penalize them"?

You could be right, but my experience suggests otherwise.

[GIGS20]

Hi Ryan,

Google will always be going after any different SEO methods sooner or later. But you are  correct that the Penguin update is designed to penalize anchor text links, but only if these built links are not related to the niche or there are duplications of  those links created by some sort of auto software. Anchor text links for blogs/forums are still the major SEO components. If done manually and related to the niche, then there should be no issues. Nevertheless, I totally agree with you that earning links from others is much better and safer method than building links.

Above example of anchor text is just to show Hans how links can be created for blog comments or forum pages where there is no link tool.

[RyanKent]

Gigs20, I agree it is beneficial to obtain links related to your niche. That was a helpful addition.

I am concerned about your suggested manner of adding building links. The Penguin update is designed to penalize "built" links, meaning links the target site has built or had built on their behalf. One specific mechanism used to identify such links is matching anchor text.

Ultimately I expect Google to get even better and locate other methods of determining "built" links. I would recommend EARNING links from others over building links.

[GIGS20]

Just to add to others... when you start creating your backlinks, make sure all your links are related to your niche and to your keyword phrases. bloggerlinkup.com is a good start to find your niche.  Use only white hat techniques and don't use spam methods. You can easily create 5-20 manual links per day on a regular basis.

Most important part is to use the anchor text. Below example shows how to create a link with the anchor text.

/* Put your target keyword here" */

I hope this helps. Good luck!

[ToughTimesLawyer]

Links in comments may not be passing you any SEO juice.  Since comment spam is such a big problem for blog owners, most comment links are rel=nofollow.

Since your blog is very focused, I suggest finding other blogs and organization websites about Dyslexia or cognitive issues for adults.  Then reach out to them.

Explain who you are and what you offer, and that you want to create a relationship with them.  Offer to write a unique article on your topic or to profile them on your blog in exchange for a link.  This is the best way to do natural link building.   Given that your topic is scientific, you may be able to get backlinks from some really trusted .org or .edu sites.

[RyanKent]

Link building is a rather deep topic which takes both training and experience to truly develop.

At a high level, you want to EARN links, not build them. If you provide a website which is based upon solid architecture and is well designed for a great user experience, then add well-written, authoritative, engaging, and current content to that site then others will WANT to link to your site.

For example, take a look at Rand's latest article: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/phoenix-rising-bings-new-webmaster-tools-whiteboard-friday. As of this moment the article has almost 1000 tweets not to mention 160+ likes and 85 +1s. Clearly this article will earn many additional links as well.

What makes this article, and many similar articles on SEOmoz rank well, is they are topical (i.e. related to SEO), authoritative (Rand is a recognized expert in the field of SEO and he is interviewing Duane Forrester, Sr. Product Manager @ Bing), the article is very well written and current (the changes have just been made). This combination of factors helps make a great article.

When you build your own links in forums and blog comments, many of them are tagged as "nofollow" meaning they are not directly helpful for search engine ranking. Take a look at your "Joy" and "dyslexia" links above which are "nofollow" as well.

You should also know Google values some sites and pages much higher then others. For example, if you obtain a link from the New York Times it will likely be discovered in under an hour. If you obtain a link from a random forum which is not popular the link may take a month or never be discovered.

[rmontanez]

Dan,

Thanks for that link.  Very useful information (Thumbs Up).  And I do agree that (Real) link building can't be fake.

[danbocain]

Any link that points to another page could be considered a "backlink" - these doesn't mean every link will show up in "back link reports" from various places.  Every data set is different.

For example: In Google Webmaster Tools, it shows me a handful of links for my site. Bing Webmaster Tools happens to show the same links, plus some that Google didn't. The same can be said about all link tools (Open Site Explorer, Majestic, Ahref's, etc)

You can acquire links through an uncountable number of ways. The type you are currently chasing though may not be the best route for long term strategy or success.  I'd suggest checking out link building related posts here on SEOMoz and then elsewhere.

If you just want to jump into action without really getting a better idea, this site has an awesome list of link building ideas. However, keep in mind there is a certain skill level involved with how you go about building links, something you can't fake easily.