Backlinks Basics

Backlink Basics: How Many Do You Need, How to Create Them & Why They Matter

At Discover WebTech, we’ve worked with dozens of websites across industries, and there’s one SEO truth that remains unchanged: backlinks still matter—a lot. But the questions we get all the time are:

How many backlinks do you need?
How many backlinks are good?
Can you build backlinks for free?
And how do you actually create backlinks that Google respects?

In this blog, we’re answering all of that—and giving you a clear path forward if you’re trying to improve your backlink strategy.

What Are Backlinks & Why They Matter

Let’s start with the basics. According to an SEO expert, Backlinks (a.k.a inbound links) are simply hyperlinks from one site to another. When another website links to your content, it’s like a vote of confidence. Google notices these “votes”—and the more high-quality ones you have, the more authority your site builds.

Now let’s talk about the benefits of backlinks that we’ve personally seen across our clients’ sites:

  • Improved Rankings: Backlinks help push your pages higher on Google’s search results.
  • Faster Indexing: New pages get discovered quicker when they’re linked from other places.
  • Referral Traffic: You also get clicks directly from those backlinks—not just from Google.
  • Authority Building: Google (and users) start trusting your brand more.

These are just a few of the clear, measurable benefits of backlinks that prove why they’re a long-term SEO investment.

So, How Many Backlinks Do You Need?

This is one of the most common questions we’re asked at Discover WebTech. And our answer is… it depends. We know that’s not the most satisfying answer—but let us explain.

The number of backlinks you need depends on:

  • Your industry or niche
  • The keyword difficulty
  • Your competition level

For example, if you’re targeting a low-competition local keyword like “best cafes in Noida,” you might only need 10–20 good links. But if you’re trying to rank for a high-competition keyword like “digital marketing agency,” you might need hundreds.

So when you ask how many backlinks do you need, the best answer is: enough to beat the top 3 competitors for that keyword. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush can help you analyze their backlink profiles.

Okay, But How Many Backlinks Are Good?

We love this question because it shifts the focus from quantity to quality—which is where real results happen.

So if you’re asking how many backlinks are good, our answer is: as many high-quality, relevant backlinks as you can build over time—without cutting corners.

Here’s what makes a backlink “good”:

  • Relevance: It should come from a website that’s in your niche or closely related.
  • Authority: Sites with higher Domain Authority (DA) or real traffic have more SEO value.
  • Diversity: A healthy backlink profile includes links from different websites, not just one or two.
  • Placement: Links inside the body of content carry more weight than those in footers or sidebars.

At Discover WebTech, we’ve helped brands rank with just 30 backlinks—because each of them was high-quality. So stop chasing numbers and focus on earning links that count.

Here’s How to Create Backlinks That Actually Work

Now comes the fun part: building those links! If you’ve been wondering how to create backlinks, we’ve got some tried-and-tested strategies that have worked wonders for our clients:

1. Guest Posting

Write a valuable blog post for another site in your industry and link back to your own content.

2. Broken Link Building

Find broken links on relevant websites using tools like Ahrefs, and suggest your content as a replacement.

3. The Skyscraper Technique

Find popular articles in your niche, create a better version, and reach out to people who linked to the old one.

4. Infographics

Visual content tends to get shared more. Embed links within infographics and distribute them on directories or social media.

5. Expert Roundups

Reach out to industry experts for quotes. Once the post goes live, they often share it and link back to you.

If you’re serious about link-building and want to know how to create backlinks that actually help, these are the exact methods we’d recommend.

Yes, You Can Get Backlinks for Free—Here’s How

We understand not everyone has a big SEO budget—and that’s completely okay. There are legit ways to earn backlinks for free, and we’ve used them ourselves many times.

  • Answer Questions on Quora: Provide helpful answers and link to your blog when appropriate.
  • Submit to Online Directories: Use relevant business directories like Clutch, JustDial, or even Google My Business.
  • Engage in Forums or Reddit: Participate in conversations with valuable input, not spam.
  • Podcasts & Interviews: Be a guest, and get a backlink from their show notes or website.
  • Write Testimonials: Share your experience with tools or services—they often link back to your site.

If you’re wondering how to get backlinks for free, these are the best places to start.

What Kind of Backlinks Does Google Actually Love?

At Discover WebTech, we don’t just aim to get backlinks. We aim to get backlinks that Google trusts. That means:

  • Relevant Content: The link should make sense in the context of the content.
  • Natural Placement: Google favors links placed organically in content, not paid or spammy links.
  • Anchor Text Variety: Use a mix of branded, generic, and keyword-rich anchor text.
  • Gradual Growth: Build your backlinks gradually—not in sudden large batches.

Sites that try to game the system with 100 low-quality links overnight often get penalized. Smart, slow, and strategic is the way to go.

Final Thoughts from Discover WebTech

If you’re still wondering how many backlinks do you need, the answer is: enough to compete with the top-ranking sites in your niche. But the real magic lies in building backlinks that are high-quality, not just high in number. So if your next question is how many backlinks are good, remember it’s all about relevance, authority, and natural placement. We’ve seen the long-term benefits of backlinks again and again—improved rankings, better traffic, and stronger brand authority. If you’re starting your journey and asking how to create backlinks, use ethical methods like guest posting, broken link outreach, and creating high-value content. And yes, you can absolutely earn backlinks for free if you’re willing to put in consistent effort. Our advice? Start slow, focus on quality, and build a backlink profile that Google—and your audience—will trust.

Contact us to know more about our Digital Marketing Services

Check out our latest blog on “How to Do Guest Posting the Right Way (And What to Avoid)

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