Link building remains a very important part of any SEO strategy, but it’s no easy task. According to Authority Hacker, 73.5% of link builders focus on building fewer than 10 links per month. While the number may seem surprisingly low, it underscores the reality of modern SEO—quality is far more valuable than sheer quantity when it comes to backlinks. This article will explore why most SEO professionals build fewer links, the challenges involved, and how focusing on quality can ultimately lead to greater success in the search rankings.
Why SEO Pros Build Fewer Links
One of the main reasons that link builders aim for fewer links each month is the increasing emphasis on link quality over link quantity. In the past, SEO strategies revolved around acquiring as many links as possible, but as search engines, particularly Google, have refined their algorithms, they now focus on the authority and relevance of the links. Building high-quality, relevant backlinks takes time, effort, and strategy, which is why many SEO professionals adopt a more measured approach to link acquisition.
Modern link building often involves developing relationships with authoritative websites, crafting personalized outreach campaigns, and producing high-value content that others want to link to. These tasks require patience and precision, which is why many link builders take the time to secure just a few valuable links each month rather than chasing after a large number of low-quality ones.
The Changing Landscape of Link Building
Google’s algorithm updates, such as Penguin and the more recent BERT, have made it clear that low-quality links or unnatural link-building practices can do more harm than good. Spammy backlinks, link farms, or irrelevant site links are not only less effective—they can result in penalties that tank your site’s rankings.
As a result, link builders have shifted their focus toward earning links from authoritative, niche-relevant websites. This is a more natural, sustainable way to improve a website’s ranking, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Building these types of links often requires:
High-Quality Content Creation
Producing content that is genuinely useful and informative is the foundation for earning links from reputable sites. Whether it’s in-depth blog posts, infographics, case studies, or long-form guides, valuable content is what drives link-building success today.
Strategic Outreach
Gone are the days of mass emailing in hopes of securing a backlink. Successful outreach now involves building real relationships with website owners, editors, and influencers within your niche. Personalized outreach campaigns that demonstrate how your content can provide value to their audience are far more effective.
Niche Relevance
Links from unrelated or low-authority websites no longer carry much weight in search engine rankings. A well-placed link from a respected website in your industry or niche, however, can make a significant difference. SEO pros, therefore, focus on securing fewer but more relevant links from high-authority domains.
The Challenge of Earning High-Quality Backlinks
The process of building high-quality backlinks is challenging for several reasons:
Competition
As the importance of backlinks in SEO becomes more widely recognized, competition for those links increases. High-authority websites receive countless link requests, making it difficult to stand out and earn a place on their site.
Content Saturation
With millions of new blog posts and articles published every day, it can be difficult to create content that stands out enough to earn backlinks. Producing unique, insightful, or original content that provides real value is essential to breaking through the noise.
Time-Intensive
Unlike some other SEO tactics, link building is not something that yields immediate results. It can take weeks, even months, to develop relationships, create content, and secure backlinks. The effort required to build just one high-quality link is significant, and that’s why many link builders aim for fewer than 10 links per month.
The Power of a Few Good Links
Although building fewer than 10 links per month might sound like a slow process, it’s important to remember that SEO is a long-term game. A few high-quality links from relevant, authoritative websites can be more effective than dozens of low-quality links. Search engines are sophisticated enough to recognize when a website’s backlink profile is inflated with spammy or irrelevant links.
When you focus on earning a handful of strong backlinks, you not only avoid the risk of penalties, but you also build a solid foundation for long-term SEO success. These backlinks will help improve your website’s domain authority, boost your rankings for target keywords, and drive high-quality referral traffic.
How Adverlink Can Help Streamline the Process
One way to make link building more efficient, without sacrificing quality, is by leveraging platforms like Adverlink. Adverlink connects advertisers with a network of publishers using their Link as a Service (LaaS) model, making it easier to build high-authority backlinks without the traditional time investment. By working with a curated list of reputable websites, Adverlink allows you to secure natural, high-quality links that can positively impact your SEO strategy.
This approach saves time by bypassing the outreach and negotiation process, so you can focus on creating quality content while still building an authoritative backlink profile. With Adverlink, you can target specific niches and domains, ensuring that your backlinks are relevant and valuable.
Scaling Your Strategy Without Compromising on Quality
While building fewer than 10 links per month might seem like a conservative approach, it’s one that can yield impressive long-term results. By focusing on securing relevant, high-quality links, SEO professionals can avoid the pitfalls of outdated link-building tactics while boosting their site’s authority and rankings.
To scale your link-building strategy without compromising on quality, consider the following steps:
Optimize Content for Linkability
Create content that other sites want to link to, such as comprehensive guides, original research, or engaging multimedia. Ensure your content is well-researched, visually appealing, and shareable.
Focus on Outreach Quality
Instead of sending mass outreach emails, focus on personalized pitches. Tailor your outreach to show exactly how your content can provide value to the recipient’s audience.
Monitor Your Backlink Profile
Keep track of your backlinks using tools like Aysa.ai. Make sure the links you are earning are from reputable, relevant websites, and disavow any low-quality or spammy links that could harm your SEO.
Leverage Tools Like Adverlink
Platforms like Adverlink make it easier to secure high-quality backlinks without the time-consuming process of manual outreach. This can be an excellent way to streamline your link-building efforts while still maintaining a high standard of quality.
Small Numbers, Big Results: The Value of Fewer, Stronger Links
In today’s SEO landscape, the mantra “less is more” rings true, especially when it comes to link building. Building fewer, but higher-quality links, can have a far more significant impact on your website’s authority and search engine rankings than focusing on quantity alone. By adopting a strategy that prioritizes link quality and relevance, you can strengthen your SEO performance and secure sustainable, long-term growth for your website.