do backlinks still work

Yes, backlinks are still very important for SEO in 2024. Here's why they remain valuable:

* **Search Engine Trust Signals:** Backlinks act like votes of confidence from other websites. Search engines like Google consider the number and quality of backlinks a sign of your website's trustworthiness and expertise in a particular field.

* **Higher Ranking Potential:** Websites with strong backlink profiles tend to rank higher in search results for relevant keywords. This is because search engines view these links as an indication that the content deserves to be seen by users.

* **Referral Traffic:** Backlinks can also drive referral traffic to your website. When people click on a link from another trusted website, they land on your page. This exposes your content to a new audience and can significantly increase website traffic.

However, it's important to focus on quality over quantity.  Building backlinks from high-authority sites in your niche is more valuable than having many links from low-quality sources.  Search engines are becoming more sophisticated in evaluating backlinks, and low-quality or manipulative link-building tactics can actually harm your SEO.