Backlinks are usually formatted differently from the page text, meaning the text that provides a visit to another website, also known as anchor text.

The backlink text may appear in a different color, underlined, or accompanied by an icon; any text that is differently colored, underlined, or has an icon next to it indicates that if you click on the linked text, you will be directed to the website referenced by that content.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

Because backlinks are one of many metrics used by Google and similar search engines to determine the value of a website. The quality and number of websites providing backlinks to your website are among the criteria used by Google and other search engines to determine your website's ranking in search engine results pages. The higher you rank on a search results page, the more likely users are to click on your site from the first page of results, which increases your website traffic.

The Importance Levels of Backlinks

The most valuable backlinks for your website are those obtained from websites within your own industry. If a site links to you even though you haven’t linked to them and they are in the same industry, this backlink is highly valuable.

A backlink from a site outside your industry will be important according to the linking site’s authority in search engines. For example, a backlink from a reputable newspaper or an official university website is very valuable for search engines.

If you have reciprocal backlink exchanges, they usually have little value because it may suggest a commercial connection between you.