What is a backlink?

A backlink, also known as an inbound link or incoming link, is a link from one website to another website. In the context of search engine optimization (SEO), backlinks are important because they are one of the factors that search engines use to determine the relevance and authority of a website.

When one website links to another, it is essentially vouching for the quality and relevance of the linked site. Search engines view these links as votes of confidence, and they use this information to help rank websites in their search results. The more high-quality backlinks a website has, the more likely it is to rank well in search results.

However, it's important to note that not all backlinks are created equal. Backlinks from reputable, well-established websites are generally considered to be more valuable than those from low-quality or spammy sites. Additionally, the anchor text (the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink) can also impact the value of a backlink. Relevant, descriptive anchor text can help search engines understand the content of the linked page, while generic or irrelevant anchor text may not provide as much value.