Backlinks are the backbone of SEO success, especially if you are just starting with your blogging journey. But as a beginner, figuring out how to build backlinks the right way without shady tactics can be a challenging task.
This is where white hat SEO techniques, manual link building methods, and natural link building come into play. From free backlink strategies to smart outreach for backlinks, there are several easy ways to get backlinks that won’t cost you a dime, giving your blog the authority it deserves.
Today, I am here to decode everything about backlinks, from why it is important to how to get backlinks most easily. I will also share the mistakes you should avoid while getting backlinks and share beginner link-building tips. So, without ado, let us quickly get in and start growing your traffic potentially.
Why Backlinks Are Important for SEO?
Before you get into how to build backlinks and increase blog domain authority, let us quickly understand the basics, like why backlinks are important for SEO and what makes a backlink valuable.
To be precise, backlinks are one of Google’s top ranking factors. You can consider them as digital referrals where another website is linked to your blog. This tells the search engines that your content is trustworthy and worth sharing.
For new bloggers, backlinks can help drive organic traffic, increase your domain authority, and boost your credibility in your niche. To put it short, without a strong backlink profile, even the best-written content can get hidden from your audience.
What Makes a High-Quality Backlink?
Not all backlinks are created equal. A high-quality backlink comes from a reputable, relevant, and authoritative website. Here’s what SEO for new bloggers should look for while acquiring high-quality backlinks.
- Domain Authority: The first thing is to check the domain authority. A backlink acquired from a high-authority site, such as news outlets, top blogs, or .edu domains, carries more SEO weight.
- Relevance: Secondly, check the relevancy for acquiring the best backlink sources for blogs, and also ensure the linking site is related to your blog’s niche. For instance, a fashion blog should not be linked to a tech blog. It will not add much value.
- Anchor Text: Thirdly, the keywords used in the clickable part of a link, also known as anchor text should be relevant and natural.
- Dofollow vs. Nofollow: Consider acquiring dofollow links over nofollow links. Dofollow links will pass SEO value, helping with visibility and traffic.
Placement: Always make sure you are placing the backlinks within the content body. Placing within the body can make your links more powerful than those in footers or sidebars.
5 Easy Ways to Get Backlinks for a New Blog
Now, let us get into the main theme of the blog and learn the 5 easy ways to get the best backlink sources for blogs. Whether you are aiming to boost your domain authority, improve your visibility, or simply start manual link building, these beginner-friendly strategies will help you grow with white hat SEO techniques that work.
- Guest Posting on Niche Blogs
The easiest way is to work on guest posting for your niche blogs. Guest posting is one of the most effective and natural link-building methods. By writing valuable content for blogs in your niche, you not only get exposure to a new audience but also earn a backlink in your author bio or within the article.
2. Use HARO or Help a Reporter Out
The second easiest way is to use HARO, also known as help a reporter out strategy. It requires connecting with bloggers and journalists. By signing up as a source, you get daily emails with media opportunities. If your response gets picked, you earn a high-quality backlink from a credible publication.
3. Submit to High-Quality Blog Directories
The third easiest strategy on the list of how to build backlinks is to submit to high-quality blog directories. While directory submissions may sound outdated, there are still some best backlink sources for blogs if you choose wisely. Submitting your blog to relevant, high-authority directories can give you foundational backlinks and improve your blog’s indexing.
4. Create Linkable Assets
Another popular strategy to get backlinks is to create linkable assets. If you want people to link to your blog naturally, give them a reason to! Create content that’s unique, useful, and shareable. This could be an in-depth guide, a free tool, a case study, or a beautiful infographic.
5. Commenting on Relevant Blogs & Forums
The last, yet another easiest way to get backlinks is to comment on relevant blogs and forums. This may not sound glamorous, but commenting on relevant blogs and forums can help you build early-stage backlinks and relationships, leading to future do-follow backlinks.
Top 3 Mistakes to Avoid in Link Building
Now that you know the best backlink sources for blogs and how to build them, it is equally important to avoid common mistakes that can harm your SEO efforts. Here are the top 3 mistakes to watch out for:
- Focusing on Quantity Over Quality
Getting 100 low-quality backlinks from irrelevant sites won’t help your rankings. Instead, it will hurt your website. Hence, aim for a few high-quality backlinks from relevant, authoritative sources.
2. Building Links Too Fast
Suddenly gaining a large number of backlinks in a short time can look suspicious to search engines. Ensure you are building links gradually and naturally to avoid getting flagged or penalized.
3. Using the Same Source Repeatedly
Relying on just one or two websites for all your backlinks limits your growth. Consider diversifying your backlink profile by targeting different domains and platforms to boost credibility and reach.
Bonus Tip: Best Free Tools to Track and Analyze Your Backlinks
Once you start building backlinks, it’s essential to track their performance and ensure they are helping your SEO goals. The right tools can help you monitor new links, evaluate their quality, and find opportunities to build more. Here are some of the best free tools to get started:
1. Google Search Console
This is a must-have for every blogger. Google Search Console lets you see which sites are linking to your blog, what anchor text is used, and how your backlinks are impacting your search performance.
2. Ahrefs Backlink Checker
Ahrefs offers a limited but powerful free backlink checker. You can see the top 100 backlinks to any domain, along with metrics like domain rating or DR and URL rating or UR, helping you understand the authority of your links.
3. Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is also a reliable tool. Launched by Neil Patel, this tool allows you to view your backlink profile, top linking domains, and new/lost links. It’s beginner-friendly and offers insightful data to improve your manual link-building methods.
Final Words
Building backlinks is one of the smartest ways to grow your new blog and improve its visibility on search engines. By focusing on white hat SEO techniques and natural link building, you can boost your domain authority without risking penalties. From guest posting and HARO to creating linkable assets, these strategies are proven, effective, and beginner-friendly.
Are you ready to take your blog to the next level? Start applying these easy ways to get backlinks today, and watch your traffic and authority grow. Have questions or need help with your link-building strategy? Drop a comment below or get in touch today. I am always here to help you succeed!
FAQs
- How long does it take to see results from backlinks for a new blog?
Ans. Backlinks start influencing your SEO in a few weeks, but noticeable ranking improvements can take up to 2–3 months, depending on your niche, competition, and domain age.
2. Are free backlink strategies still effective in 2025?
Ans. Yes, free backlink strategies like guest posting, HARO, and commenting on relevant forums remain effective in 2025.
3. How many backlinks should a new blog aim for each month?
There’s no fixed number, but aiming for 5 to 10 quality backlinks per month is a good start.
4. Do nofollow backlinks help in SEO for new blogs?
Ans. While nofollow links don’t directly pass SEO value, they can still drive traffic, increase brand visibility, and lead to future dofollow opportunities, making them valuable for new bloggers.