DPS.MEDIA accompanies hundreds of SMEs, helping to identify and build valuable backlinks. This effectiveness not only increases traffic but also improves online brand credibility.
Quality backlinks in the modern SEO ecosystem
Backlinks are no longer just “links”
In an era where Google's algorithms are increasingly strict, backlinks are not simply about passing link juice—they are also indicators of trustworthiness and relevance. Quality backlinks often come from:
– Websites with the same topic or directly related
– Domains with authority (high Ahrefs DR/ Moz DA)
– Content with natural mentions, not forced anchor text
– Sources such as news outlets, magazines, or industry blogs
Tip: Prioritize backlinks from content with real traffic instead of just looking at high DR.
How to build standard-compliant backlinks?
An effective backlink strategy today requires careful research and selection. Having more backlinks is not always better.
Below is a checklist Action Items you can apply:
- ✔️ Identify target pages (money page or content cluster)
- ✔️ Audit current backlinks using Ahrefs or Google Search Console
- ✔️ Prioritize building from websites in the same niche or industry partners
- ✔️ Avoid spam sources with high outbound links (>100)
- ✔️ Diversify anchor text (no more than 30% exact match)
Real-life example: backlinks & traffic growth
An interior design business in Ho Chi Minh City built 24 backlinks from industry-specific sites such as interior design blogs and construction forums. After 3 months:
| Indicators | Before having backlinks | After 3 months |
|---|---|---|
| Organic Traffic | 1,300 visits/month | 3,850 visits/month |
| Top 10 ranked keywords | 42 | 118 |
Data source: Google Analytics & Ahrefs 2023
Warning: Creating backlinks from PBN systems or buying links in bulk can reduce site trust and negatively affect rankings.
Takeaway:
Investing in quality backlinks is no longer an option – but a survival strategy in modern SEO. Don’t just look for quantity. Ask: “Does this link help me create real value for readers and help Google understand who I am?”
Criteria for evaluating a reputable and valuable backlink
1. Links from high authority sites (Authority)
A quality backlink usually comes from websites with high Domain Rating/Domain Authority (DA > 50). Google prioritizes links from sites with strong authority over time.
✔ Example: A backlink from news sites like vnexpress.net or dantri.com will have superior SEO value compared to dozens of links from personal blogs.
- Check DA using tools: Ahrefs, Moz, SEMrush
- Prioritize websites with the same topic and stable traffic
2. Position and display of the backlink
The more prominently a backlink is displayed (within main content, in articles with traffic), the more highly Google values it. Avoid links placed in the footer or sidebar – low SEO value.
- Anchor text should be natural, not keyword-stuffed
- Surrounding content must be relevant to the linked page
TIP: Ensure the backlink is within content of at least 500 words and not running on a “nofollow” sitemap.
3. Contextual relevance by topic
Google will value it more if the linking website is in the same industry as you. Because a quality backlink is not just about quantity – but the relevance between the two pages.
- Avoid backlinks from unrelated websites (e.g., selling phones but linking from an online gaming site)
- Use supporting content, e.g.: blog posts sharing experiences using the service
4. Real user behavior & interaction metrics
Engagement metrics such as CTR or time-on-site on the page containing the backlink also affect the link’s value.
✔ According to Ahrefs report (2023): Backlinks from pages with over 500 visits/month deliver SEO effectiveness 3 times higher than links from pages with no traffic.
| Criteria | Impact level | Checking tools |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority (DA) | High | Ahrefs, Moz |
| Backlink page traffic | Very high | SimilarWeb, Google Analytics (if available) |
| Link placement | Medium – High | Manual review |
5. Quick backlink evaluation checklist
- ✅ Domain Authority over 50
- ✅ Page content is directly related to your industry
- ✅ Backlink is not in the footer/sidebar
- ✅ Anchor text is natural, not over-optimized
- ✅ The page placing the backlink has real traffic (minimum 300 visits/month)
- ✅ Not part of a PBN system or spam website
Note: Some partners may suggest buying bulk cheap backlinks. Be cautious – these types of links are often considered spam by Google and negatively affect SEO.
Real-life example (anonymous)
An SME in the insurance sector in Ho Chi Minh City implemented a strategy of posting on 3 personal finance blogs with traffic >2,000/month. After 4 months, organic traffic increased by 481% (Google Search Console, 2023).
Quick takeaway
One reputable backlink needs to come from a trustworthy page, with real traffic and relevant content. Focus on quality – not quantity – is the sustainable direction for SEO.
Impact of quality backlinks on rankings and traffic
How do quality backlinks improve rankings?
Backlinks from pages with high authority (Domain Authority) help Google understand that your website is trustworthy and valuable. This directly affects your ranking in search results. Example: An e-commerce site receiving a backlink from an online newspaper like Tuổi trẻ Online increased its ranking from position 11 to 4 for a competitive keyword within 30 days (according to internal data in 2023).
Specific benefits:
– Increases the chance of being indexed quickly
– Improves E-E-A-T score (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
– Rankings are easier to maintain long-term compared to low-quality backlinks
The impact of backlinks on actual traffic
Not only does it boost rankings, backlinks also serve as a source of organic traffic very effectively – especially when placed on content that is relevant and flexible to the topic.
According to Ahrefs (2022), 91% of pages without backlinks also have no organic traffic from Google.
Characteristics of backlinks that bring high traffic:
– Placed within the content of the article (in-content)
– Displayed on pages that already have high traffic (already ranked high)
– Relevant to the topic and context of the target user
Checklist: How to measure practical impact?
- 📝 Track keyword rankings before and after getting backlinks
- 📊 Check traffic growth via Google Analytics & Search Console
- 🔗 Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to measure the quantity + quality of backlinks
- 📌 Compare the CTR rate of landing pages with backlinks
Table: Comparing the effectiveness of quality vs regular backlinks
| Criteria | Quality backlinks | Regular backlinks |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Authority | > 60 (e.g.: VnExpress, Vietcetera) | < 30 (personal blogs, old forums) |
| Keyword impact | Noticeable after 2-4 weeks | unstable, slow |
| Traffic referral | High if the article has a related topic | Low, often ignored |
Note: Not all backlinks are safe
Low-quality backlinks placed excessively from SPAM sites can cause your website to be penalized by Google – leading to a sudden drop in rankings. Regularly checking backlink sources is mandatory.
Example: In 2022, an education sector business lost 40% of its traffic due to purchasing a backlink package from a PBN (Private Blog Network) system containing duplicate content.
Takeaway
Quality backlinks are one of the few SEO factors that impact both keyword rankings and actual traffic.. But quality always matters more than quantity – investing correctly will bring long-term results.
Natural and sustainable backlink building strategies for SMEs
Focus on quality content and intentional sharing
Creating valuable content is the core to attracting natural links. SMEs should invest in writing in-depth blogs, industry research, or useful guides to turn readers into content sharers.
- Choose trending topics (based on data from Google Trends & Ahrefs)
- Optimize articles with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
- encourage citations by providing useful data, images, or tables
Choose a backlink strategy suitable for SME resources
SMEs do not need a large budget to build effective links. The important thing is to choose the right method, focus on relevant audiences, and avoid “link baiting” techniques that violate Google’s guidelines.
- Collaborate with business partners to share links from each other's websites
- Participate in reputable forums/industries such as Brands Vietnam, Webtretho
- Build a profile on Google Business Profile and industry directory sites
Real-life example: An accounting software provider for SMEs increased organic traffic by 38% after 4 months by publishing a specialized study on a partner's website in the finance sector (source: internal Google Analytics).
Backlink building checklist for SMEs (priority for the first 3 months)
| Actions | Priority level | completion date |
|---|---|---|
| Write blog posts with reputable sources | High | Week 1 |
| Contact 3 partners for link exchange | Average | Week 2 |
| Post on industry-specific forums | Low | Week 3 |
Warning: Avoid backlinks from low-quality sources
Google may penalize websites that use backlink libraries from PBN systems or spam comments. SMEs need to evaluate the credibility of the website where they plan to place links based on:
- DR (Domain Rating) & actual traffic (suggest using Ahrefs or SEMrush)
- The relevance between your industry and the content of the linking page
- Update frequency and reliability (e.g., news sites, industry portals)
Takeaway message:
Effective backlinks are not about quantity, but about naturalness and relevance. SMEs need to be persistent and invest long-term to achieve sustainable SEO results.
Channels and approaches to effectively increase backlinks
1. Build content as a foundation for receiving backlinks
To get quality backlinks,first your website needs to provide enough valuable content for others to voluntarily link to it.. Some types of content that are widely shared:
- In-depth guides (how-to)
- Real case studies accompanied by detailed data
- Free tools, such as calculators, checklists
- Easily shareable infographics (images with data)
2. Blogger and press outreach strategy
Reaching out to blogs related to your industry will help increase natural “mentions”. However, avoid sending mass emails. Personalize your message and carefully select truly relevant sources.
- Find page has previously mentioned competitors
- Write truly useful guest posts, not just for link placement
- Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush to filter reputable domains
📌 Source: According to Backlinko (2023), 73% of successful guest posts come with long-form content over 1200 words and are well optimized for UX.
3. Reputable platforms to leverage for backlinks
Choose highly trustworthy channels to build backlinks instead of just registering on poorly moderated directories.
| Platform | Nature | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Medium.com | Blog platform | Allows nofollow links & is indexed by Google |
| HARO (Help A Reporter Out) | PR & press | Opportunity for backlinks from sites with DR >80 |
| Forum | Requires useful content – not overly promotional |
4. Checklist for consistent link building implementation
- [ ] Audit backlinks periodically (Ahrefs / Screaming Frog)
- [ ] Create one “linkable asset” per month
- [ ] Contact 3-5 bloggers each week
- [ ] Register 1-2 reputable industry directories
- [ ] Monitor anchor text to avoid incorrect optimization
5. Real-life example: successful content-led campaign
A local fashion brand invested in writing an analysis on environmental trends in the textile industry (nearly 2,000 words + infographic). After sending it to 10 industry news sites, they received 5 backlinks from domains with DR over 60, including 1 dofollow backlink from Saigon Economic Times. Traffic increased by 58% after 3 weeks (Google Analytics – 2023).
Quick summary
To build effective backlinks, focus on valuable content, choose authoritative channels & implement consistently each week. You don't need 1,000 backlinks – a few dozen links from trustworthy sources can make a big difference for SEO.
How to check and monitor backlink quality during SEO
Identifying high-quality backlinks
Good backlinks come from websites with high domain authority, relevant content, and are not penalized by Google. Each link should appear naturally within the content, not be spammy or placed in the footer/sitewide. Based on common criteria:
– Diverse anchor text ratio (not just main keywords)
– DR (Domain Rating) from 40 and above (according to Ahrefs)
– Linking page has a minimum organic traffic of 100/month
Tip: Use Ahrefs or SEMrush tools to evaluate the domain's credibility before building links.
Backlink monitoring and checking tools
Top checking tools today:
– Ahrefs: detailed backlink analysis, real-time updates
– Google Search Console: View free inbound links to your website
– Majestic: Focuses on Trust Flow and Citation Flow
– Monitor Backlinks: Alerts when links are lost
Example: An SEO campaign in the education sector increased organic traffic by 51% in just 3 months by removing 48 low-quality PBN backlinks (data from “Ahrefs Case Study 2023”, Ahrefs Blog).
Periodic backlink evaluation checklist
- ✔ Check backlinks weekly or at least twice a month
- ✔ Identify and disavow links from penalized sites
- ✔ Monitor anchor text to avoid over-optimization
- ✔ Measure traffic from each backlink (if possible)
- ✔ Store link information in Google Sheet or Tool
| Backlink source | DR | Traffic | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| eduportal.com | 72 | 3,400 | OK |
| cheapseolinks.info | 11 | 0 | Need to disavow |
Potential risks of not checking backlinks
Not monitoring regularly can lead to:
– Getting hit by Google Penguin algorithm if there are too many spam links
– Losing ranking opportunities due to backlinks being deleted or redirected
– Significantly reducing domain trust (DA)
Tip: Set up email alerts in Ahrefs to receive notifications when new backlinks are gained or lost.
Takeaway
Monitoring backlink quality not only helps improve SEO rankings but also protects your website from algorithmic penalties. Always prioritize natural backlinks with real traffic and relevant content. DPS.MEDIA It is recommended to maintain checks every 2 weeks, especially when running an active link building campaign.
Expert advice from DPS.MEDIA for a successful backlink building campaign
Prioritize quality over quantity
– A backlink from a website with DA (Domain Authority) over 50 can provide SEO value 5 times higher than 10 backlinks from weaker sites (Ahrefs, 2023).
– Focus on pages with content directly related to your field to increase trust from Google.
– Avoid backlinks from sites showing signs of spam, duplicate content, or too many outbound links.
Monitor and analyze backlinks regularly
– Check your backlink profile at least once a month to detect toxic or devalued backlinks.
– Build a backlink performance reporting system to help the team act quickly if attacked by Negative SEO.
– Example: An e-commerce business in Ho Chi Minh City lost 18% traffic in just 2 weeks after losing 4 backlinks from reputable forums (Source: Internal case study DPS.MEDIA, 2023).
Start with a specific plan
- Identify the SEO goals to be supported by backlinks: traffic, authority, or keyword ranking?
- Make a list of 20 potential websites with reasons for selection
- allocate budget & time for the outreach campaign
- Use personalized email to reach out and build links naturally
Action checklist: Effective SEO backlinks
| Task | Status |
|---|---|
| Check the DA/DR of the target website | ✔️ |
| Draft suitable guest post content | ✔️ |
| Send outreach email | ⌛ |
| Monitor the backlink after publishing | 🕒 |
Risks to note when building backlinks
– Buying backlinks in bulk from PBN networks can result in manual or algorithmic penalties from Google.
– Lack of control over referring content can negatively affect your brand.
Takeaway
An effective backlink campaign requires strategy, close monitoring, and a focus on content quality along with genuine relationships. When done correctly, backlinks provide a long-term advantage for any SEO strategy.
A person's perspective in life
Quality backlinks help improve keyword rankings and enhance website authority.
Proper link building creates a sustainable SEO foundation and long-term effectiveness.
Start by auditing your current backlinks and building links from trustworthy sites.
Practice regularly to optimize SEO step by step every day.
You can also explore more about anchor text strategies or the concept of link juice.
This is an important piece in the entire SEO ecosystem.
DPS.MEDIA is always ready to accompany and advise on backlink strategies for Vietnamese SMEs.
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