The Value of Backlinks - Blog posts

[ggpaul562]

Alright,

So I'm trying to understand the value of a backlink from a blogger/site owner. Now, as I know, (let's use fashion industry), there are thousands of fashion bloggers with good metrics... Domain Authority 40+ Page Authority 40+ etc. etc. for their home page. And there are THOUSANDS of fashion bloggers that link back to ecommerce sites (backlinks).

My question is, is there really much of a value with these backlinks? Sure, the domain authority and page authority is high (  for the given example), BUT wouldn't the page authority automatically be a 1 for a "post" ?

Le'ts say one blogger writes a new blog for July 14th and dedicates that blog post about the awesome shoes they have and it links back to an ecommerce site; well, what impact does that make in regards to SEO? And if it does, how long would that take?

The biggest issue I see is the ROI. You link build, you get links - and then ....you wait. Or you hope that you'll move up in rankings, but yet they can take months for it to even move the needle. Especially the fact that if it's not a HOME PAGE link...there isn't that "much" of a boost compared to an internal page?

So then the NEXT question I have too, wouldn't influencer outreach be the same as far as getting a PBN link, creating web 2.0's, etc.? Let's think about it. You're outreaching to someone so you can benefit something back. It's all unnatural at the end of the day.

Would love to discuss.

So in summary

1 - Value of influencer outreach links - especially if the post is a brand new content piece.. (page authority being automatically 1)

2- - What exactly IS white hat when really any type of link building is mimicking?

[ggpaul562]

Thanks Mike!

[94501]

Paul, I hear you brother. Nobody enjoys link building. It takes what it takes. Evidently, in fashion it takes free stuff and gift cards. Yes, kind of hard to explain to others.

[ggpaul562]

Right, and I'm sure you know that too, across other industries whatever it might be, that CEO's think the way every channel works is similar.

As we all know, SEO changes (although the core stays the same, title tags, h1, canonical tags, duplicate content, href lang tags, site architecture, etc.).

I just think that the link building portion has been evolving too. But I did wanted to bring up the conversation in regards to my initial question -

The issue is that those that are not well versed in SEO (whether it be the CMO, CEO, etc.), will scratch their heads when they see that having a new link from site x , or site y, didn't even move the needle yet they were provided with "metrics". For ex: We target sites with DA of minimum 20, with low outbound links etc. etc., but yet they're still going to ask "Well, why are we not moving?"

So - to your point, I do agree that we have to educate them and especially on how SEO worked and now works.

And yes, I'm sure you also know that ;).

But that's my thing, I just don't think linkbuilding is as effective as it once was. Going back to fashion industry though, dishing out "great" content isn't going to be the best approach. I know this, because I've been dealing with it for the past 4 years. Fashion bloggers know their value, they're not going to link to sites unless they get a product for free PLUS a gift card / $$. The only time they'll link to sites is if they just feel like it (natural links). But to outreach "grey hat" and to say "Hey look, we have some awesome content that we think you'd love to put on your site," just isn't cutting it. Especially if we're going for top tier bloggers.

[GastonRiera]

Well, of course that linkbuilding is a blackbox. SEO is all about strategy and long term thinking. Sure you do know that.

The problem that rises here, as you pointerd about the ROIs and the CEO's asking about results, is that there is a common way of seeing SEO and strategies just as PPC. That is terrible wrong, sure you also know that.

My personal way of dealing with that is teaching them what SEO is about and talk some sense into them. I like to use the frase: "SEO is, in a great manner, making google to love our site and content"

[ggpaul562]

Hey @Gaston,

First - thanks for the response. Second, I know linkbuilding is NOT the only reason why we get better SERPs.

1. I know not getting ONE link will gain better positions .But that's the issue that I'm experiencing in the industry. SEO is such a blackbox, and doing link building is a blackbox within a blackbox. Let's think about it. With SEM - if I were to propose let's say, "increase bids to X dollars" we'd expect "X amount of clicks." It doesn't work that way with SEO. And I feel like this is a challenge for SEO.

Everyone keeps saying "create awesome content." There's going to be industries or even companies that will not allow "providing content" just the way of how things work. Which is another issue and I'm sure you see it where content team doesn't meet half way with the SEO team and that too is a roadblock.

Now let's say we do "content", CEO's / higher ups will ask "Okay what are the resources, and the time spent. With that time spent, what's our expectation?"

And what would be our response? Obviously they're not going to want to hear "Well, there's so many factors in SEO we can't just say providing content outreach for links will boost rankings".

[94501]

Hi,

Not sure I fully understand the question as you intend it, but here goes...

Net/net, quality links from authoritative sites to your site will greatly help your site/pages rank.

On your automatic page authority of 1 point, that just means that Moz says it's indexed. It's not visibility into Google's love for your page.

On white hat link building as a philosophical issue, I agree with you AND it is beside the point. Backlinks are important to achieving search rank and will evidently continue to be. If Google, in all it's A/I wisdom, suddenly decided that sites with a purple color scheme would rank batter, you would quickly see a lot of purple sites. It's just the way it is.  Whatever Google values, competitive site owners will find a way to deliver.

Best... Mike

[GastonRiera]

Hi Paul,

1. the fact that a brand new piece of information gets PA1 doesnt mean that after some time it will get better metrics and get some linkjuice passed to your site. The answer is yes, they do affect SERPs. 
   You must take special care to those links. Just getting one link will not make you to gain instantly better positions.

2. White hat in linkbuilding is getting links without paying for them or pushing to get that link. (its sort of a grey line here actually).
   Your main focus should be in creating awesome content, so as those influences want to link you.

As shown in:

• Moz's Ranking factors - Backlinko's 11 critical Ranking factors

You also should inderstand that linkbuilding is not the only reason why we get better SERPs.

Hope it helps.
GR.