Much to the dismay of link farm owners, gone are the days when sheer volume could sway rankings. Today, the focus has shifted towards relevant backlinks that not only demonstrate authority but also a connection to the content they are linked to.
However, what constitutes a relevant backlink and how to effectively build them has become increasingly convoluted for businesses looking to maintain or improve their online presence.
Is niche alignment more important than topical relevance?
What kinds of links are relevant in the first place?
Can one measure that?
These are just some of the questions we hear regularly, so we figured it’s high time we spilled the beans and shared our findings on relevant backlinks and how to get them.
What is a Relevant Link
A relevant link is defined by its contextual relationship with the content it links to. In other words, the link should make sense to the reader and contribute to the understanding of the topic at hand.
Did you ever stumble upon a blog post where you see random mentions of essay writing services, travel booking agencies, or something related to casinos?
If they’re unrelated to the topic, then the link is irrelevant.
Google evaluates the relevance of a link by examining:
- The content on both the linking page and the linked page. Is the content readable and SEO-optimized? Are there questions answered? Does it have visuals? Search engine algorithms analyze the content on both pages to establish not just relevance, but whether the link is organic in the first place.
- Topical similarity. Let’s just say that linking to a cybersecurity blog on a travel agency website won’t be deemed a high-quality backlink. However, did you notice how we said topical similarity and not identicalness? Linking to a cybersec blog on a site about UX design, for instance, isn’t so far-fetched since you can easily connect the two by, for example, talking about notable frontend vulnerabilities in web design.
- Surrounding text. A relevant link doesn’t necessarily have to be closely connected to the topic if the section around it provides sufficient context. If the topic is similar enough, you can easily devote a paragraph or section to something contextual and Google will deem it relevant.
- Authority of the linking domain. Last but most certainly not least, for a link to be a relevant backlink, it must come from an authoritative site. Search engines look for this, in terms of both metrics and brand value, which means a link from Fortune is more valuable
Simply put, a relevant backlink must provide value to the reader by offering additional information, context, or resources that enhance their understanding of the topic.
If it checks a majority of the boxes we mentioned, it can be considered relevant. However, it’s not so simple.
How to Recognize an Irrelevant Link
Identifying irrelevant links is just as important as building relevant ones. Such a way of building links can harm your site’s credibility, dilute your backlink profile, and even lead to penalties from search engines.
So before you plan out a link building campaign, make sure that your existing links are relevant.
Why?
Well, even the best and most authoritative domains won’t help you if your backlink profile is filled with borderline spammy links.
As you probably have guessed by now, Irrelevant links often come from low-quality sites that have no connection to your industry.
These links may be part of link schemes, paid placements, or simply the result of poor link-building practices.
In some cases, irrelevant links may also come from high-authority sites, but their placement is obviously promotional and non-contextual.
To spot irrelevant links, look for the following red flags:
- Unrelated content: If the content of the linking page has nothing to do with your site’s topic, the link is likely irrelevant. For example, a link from a site about home improvement to your digital marketing blog would be considered irrelevant. At the same time, a blog about AI and tech won’t be considered irrelevant if the topic and surrounding text are relevant.
- Low-quality sites: Links from sites with low domain authority, thin content, or a poor user experience are often irrelevant. These sites may be part of link schemes or operate as link farms, which can harm your SEO efforts. If you see a supposed tech site writing about everything from gambling to travel and listicles, they’re definitely in the business of selling links to anyone.
- Spammy anchor text: Links with anchor text that is overly optimized, irrelevant, or appears unnatural are often a sign of spammy or irrelevant links. For example, if a link to your blog about cloud hosting solutions is always linked under “cloud hosting solutions,” it’ll leave a negative pattern and be considered irrelevant by Google, resulting in a penalty for backlink spam.
- Unnatural placement: Links in irrelevant or low-visibility sections of a page, such as the footer or sidebar, are often considered less valuable. These placements can be a sign of paid links and black hat techniques. Only accept legitimate blog posts and PR pieces coming from legitimate blogs, belonging to a business that sells actual products or services.
Once you’ve identified irrelevant links, it’s important to take action to address them. This may involve disavowing the links and contacting the site owner to request removal.
Of course, it also involves you refraining from buying links just because of their accessibility or low price.
5 Ways to Get Relevant Backlinks
Building a profile filled with relevant backlinks requires a strategic approach, unlike the usual spray-and-pray attitude that link builders are known for.
That’s why you need to go the extra mile and refine the edges of your strategy.
In particular, you’ll notice an influx of niche relevant links and those from big sites in general if you:
Get Editorial Links Whenever Possible
Editorial links are by far the most relevant links, bar none. They’re naturally placed in high-quality, informative content and serve as resources, not just means to get link juice.
Likewise, they’re earned through merit rather than paid for or forced, making them a strong signal of trust and authority. These links also benefit your overall digital PR and become a calling card of sorts.
If your SaaS brand is linked back to by the likes of AT&T, Entrepreneur, or Namecheap, that means it’s legitimate enough and the content is suitable enough for sites of such a caliber. Think of it as a vouching of sorts.
Aim for Quality, not Quantity
The notion that more links are better may be tempting, but it can lead to calamitous consequences. It’s better to have a few high-quality, relevant links from authoritative sites than a large number of low-quality links from unrelated or low-authority sites.
Even though getting relevant backlinks is in the best interest of everyone, there’s no reason to rush and get links for the sake of linking.
Instead, you should conduct research, explore your options, and only plan your outreach campaigns once you have a good list of realistic targets.
Make Your Content and Your Campaigns Work in Unison
The best way of getting relevant backlinks isn’t just to focus on making stellar content or chasing big mentions. It’s both, actually.
Although it sounds strange at first, this combo helps you build links both organically, by having outstanding content and using outreach to establish relationships and placements.
Your content will result in more organic backlinks, which will increase your brand’s legitimacy and make editors and content managers take you more seriously.
Likewise, running both strategies at the same time will help you diversify your links, almost managing to reach that ideal ratio of quality and quantity.
Let BlueTree Build Premium, Relevant Backlinks for You
If you’re tired of spending countless hours tidying up your content calendar and outreach campaigns only to get meager results, BlueTree is here to help.
Dealing only in white hat link building, we specialize in landing difficult, hard-to-get placements for our clients. This is possible because of:
- 450+ editorial relationships we’ve curated over the years
- 12 skilled, expert B2B SaaS writers
- 50+ years of combined SEO experience among our team members
- Our unique, white-label approach to link building
The best part is that you can outsource the entire process to us, track our progress through regular updates, and watch the fruits of our labor take effect.
If you want to know how our inventory of sites can help you take the next step up the SERPs, contact our sales team and book a call.
Key Takeaways
In 2025, building relevant backlinks is not just about improving your site’s SEO; it’s about establishing credibility, trust, and authority within your industry.
Search engine algorithms will continue to evolve, and the emphasis on relevance will only grow stronger, making it essential for businesses to adopt a strategic approach to link building.
It’s essential to first grasp what makes a backlink relevant, recognizing and disavowing irrelevant links.
Likewise, focusing on quality over quantity, you can build a backlink profile that supports your business goals and enhances your online presence.
To be extra sure you’re not risking penalties or doing outreach the wrong way, outsourcing your link building to our team at BlueTree can solve the issue and ensure your backlink profile will thrive.
Give us a call to start your journey today!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to get relevant backlinks?
Securing relevant backlinks involves creating high-quality content that naturally attracts links from authoritative sites within your niche. Engaging in content marketing, building relationships with industry influencers, and participating in relevant online communities can also help you earn valuable backlinks.
Can you create relevant backlinks without a team?
Yes, it is possible to create relevant backlinks without a team, but it requires a strategic approach and a deep understanding of SEO best practices. That’s why it’s easier to collaborate with BlueTree and watch us boost your backlink profile completely hands-off.
What types of relevant links are there?
Relevant links can be categorized based on publication size, context, topic, and niche. Each type of relevance contributes to the overall value of the link and plays a role in how search engines perceive your site’s authority and credibility.
Do relevant backlinks really work?
Yes, relevant backlinks are a key factor in improving your site’s SEO and increasing your online visibility. Search engines use backlinks as a signal of trust and authority, and relevant links are more likely to positively impact your site’s rankings.
What’s a spammy backlink?
A spammy backlink is a low-quality link that comes from an unrelated or low-authority site. These links often use unnatural anchor text, are placed in irrelevant content, or are part of link schemes. Spammy backlinks can harm your site’s SEO and should be disavowed to prevent negative impacts on your rankings.
