In SEO, the influence of backlinks have long been considered a key factor in determining a website’s ranking. But with the fast developments in artificial intelligence (AI), there is increasing speculation on how these developments can affect backlink value.
People are now questioning, are backlinks still as essential as they once were, or has their importance dropped in the era of AI? If you are wondering about the same thing, let’s learn the details here!
Overview/summary:
Backlinks have always been an important part of search results, but with the rise of AI, some people are questioning whether they are less relevant now. So, this content explores the influence of backlinks in the era where AI technologies are changing SEO, along with strategic tips for effective link building. The aim is to determine whether backlinks still as important as they used to be or not, by analyzing current research and SEO expert opinion.
The Influence of Backlinks
A backlink is the linkage between one website mentioning another. Technically, search engines need a clickable link if they are to identify them as backlinks. For example, using https://toombooh.com/ will not count as a backlink, but https://toombooh.com/ will.
These backlinks should also be on websites featuring related topics. Moreover, these sites ought to be highly rated, authoritative sites. It is because backlinks are a signal to the search engine that your website is trustworthy, reputable, and authoritative.
To say it briefly, the more high-quality backlinks generated from various websites, the higher your SEO ranking is.
Are Backlinks Still Relevant in the Age of AI?
Before and even after the strikes of AI, backlink is and always has been important for SEO. The reason is simple: because it is the foundation of Google’s original PageRank algorithm. Need more proof? Let’s see these details:
A. Current Impact of Backlinks on SEO Rankings
Indeed, it is true that artificial intelligence is affecting SEO, but backlinks remain a critical factor with an evolving role.
Although content quality and relevancy are increasingly evaluated using AI and machine learning more and more, backlinks still greatly influence the authority of a website.
As mentioned before, Google’s PageRank algorithm relies heavily on backlinks, as it is still part of their ranking system, even if it has become less transparent and less central to ranking decisions.
Google’s recent updates, however, imply that while backlinks are still influential, they are not as dominant as they once were. Here’s what Gary Illyes, Google’s webmaster trends analyst said about it:
“I think links are important, but I think people overstate their importance. I disagree it’s among the top three ranking factors. It has not been for some time.”
What does he mean? Essentially, Gary Illyes has noted that links are less crucial than they used to be, reflecting a shift towards other ranking factors like content quality and user experience.
Also, John Mueller, a Google search advocate recommends to not focus so much on the links count. Over-focusing on backlinks will often waste time, as there are many ways search engines can discover sites, such as with sitemaps.
This suggests that while backlinks still matter, their influence is now part of a broader set of SEO signals.
B. Recent Research on Backlink Effectiveness
Even though Google’s representative itself said backlinks are not as important as they used to be, recent studies show that it is actually still continuing to impact SEO rankings, though their significance may be diminishing slightly.
So, let’s explore some of the latest research on the influence of backlinks below:
- Ahrefs’s SEO Statistics
As one of the leading SEO tool sets, Ahrefs recently updated its SEO statistics for 2024. According to their data, there is a clear positive correlation between the number of backlinks a page receives and its search engine ranking.
Pages that rank higher on search engines tend to have more backlinks, with top-performing pages acquiring 5% to 14% more followed links each month compared to their lower-ranked counterparts.

- Backlink Search Ranking Analysis
Another comprehensive analysis by Backlinko underscores the importance of link authority. They examined 11.8 million Google search results and found a strong correlation between overall link authority and a site’s search rankings.
Specifically, the rank #1 result in Google’s SERPs typically has 3.8 times more backlinks than pages ranked from #2 to #10.
Their research also indicates that while the number of backlinks is crucial, link diversity (having backlinks from a range of different domains) is equally important.
- Monster Insights Ranking Factor Study
Monster Insights also provides further confirmation of backlinks’ influence on SEO. Their January 2024 study revealed that sites with a higher volume of backlinks generally achieve better rankings on Google.
The study emphasized that backlinks from high-authority sites are particularly valuable. These high-quality backlinks act as endorsements, signaling to Google that the linked content is trustworthy and relevant.
Here are Effective Backlink Strategies in the Age of AI

Now that you understand that the influence of backlinks is still significant, even in this era of AI, let’s learn some effective link building strategies to consider:
- Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
When it comes to backlinks, quality far outweighs quantity. As mentioned above, high-quality backlinks come from reputable and high-authority sites that are relevant to your niche.
One effective way to secure these is by producing exceptional content that others naturally want to link to. But, what is the proper way to obtain these valuable backlinks?
Well, because SEO is focusing on content, so you must focus on creating exceptional content. Remember, high-quality content is a magnet for backlinks.
Create in-depth guides, original research, and comprehensive studies that provide unique insights or data, as it can attract backlinks from authoritative sites to cite your content.
Also, always avoid risky backlink practices such as acquiring links from link farms or engaging in spammy link schemes. These tactics can lead to penalties from search engines, harming your site’s credibility and affecting your ranking in Google’s SERP.
You can check toxicity score of backlink on semrush. The higher the toxicity score means the backlink is not quality.

- Diversify Your Backlink Sources
To ensure maximum influence of backlinks for your site, seek backlinks from various types of sources, including blogs, news sites, and social media platforms.
This diversity helps to build a more robust and natural link profile, which can positively influence your rankings.
According to Backlinko, pages with backlinks from numerous domains tend to rank higher on search engine results pages Backlinko.
However, relevance is also a key when sourcing backlinks, so ensure that the sites linking to you are related to your industry or niche. Remember, one link from a relevant site is more valuable than ten links from an unrelated or low-authority source.
In this case, you can use tools like Ahrefs and SEMRusht to identify high-quality and relevant link opportunities.
- Build Relationships and Collaborations
Another thing that can help you in building valuable links is by building relationships with influencers or authoritative sites. You may collaborate with influencers in your industry who can provide valuable endorsements and backlinks.
Additionally, consider guest blogging on reputable sites, as it can boost your credibility within your niche. According to a survey, 60% of bloggers write guest posts to enhance their online presence and generate backlinks.
Writing collaborative articles or participating in expert roundups can also be effective to maximize the influence of backlinks. These methods allow you to leverage the authority of others while providing valuable content to your audience.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Finally, don’t forget to regularly check your backlink profile to maintain a healthy SEO strategy. Use tools like Google Search Console, Majestic, or Ahrefs to track your backlinks and assess their quality.
Monitoring helps in identifying any potentially harmful or broken links that could impact your site’s reputation. Then, evaluate your backlink strategy periodically based on monitoring and performance data.
Adjust your approach as needed to ensure that your backlinks continue to contribute positively to your site’s SEO. Regular audits and strategy updates can help you to adapt to changes in search engine algorithms and AI technologies.
Conclusion
According to all case studies above, it is clear that the influence of backlinks continue to play a significant role in SEO, even as AI transforms the landscape. While their importance may have shifted, they are still a crucial element of effective SEO strategies.
You can adapt to these changes by implementing some strategies above, like focusing on high-quality backlinks, diversifying sources, collaborating with other sites, monitoring and evaluating your backlink profile, and leveraging AI tools to enhance your strategy.
Takeaway
As the SEO world evolves, staying informed and flexible will ensure you maintain a competitive edge. So, the most important thing is: adapting to the latest update. Whether it’s AI or any future technologies that (maybe) don’t exist yet, always follow the trend.
However, as for now, backlinks are far from dead; they remain a vital component of SEO even in this era of AI. To stay ahead in this ever-changing field, keep learning and adapting your strategies.
But whatever the change is, creating high-quality content is always the key, as it can attract others to cite or link your site. For top-notch content writing services that can help you with this visit our Content Writing Services at Toombooh.
Now, let’s get back to the topic: do you think the influence of backlinks is still relevant? Share your thoughts or ask questions below!
FAQ
- Can AI create backlinks?
Technically, AI tools like AI Backlink Matcher can help identify potential backlink opportunities and facilitate the process, but they do not create backlinks themselves. The links must still be earned through quality content and relationships.
- How effective are backlinks?
As for now, backlinks are still effective for SEO, particularly those from high-authority and relevant sites, because they help build credibility and improve search engine rankings.
- Can SEO be replaced by AI?
Well, while AI is obviously transforming SEO practices in this era, it cannot completely replace SEO. AI tools can help us to enhance strategies, but understanding SEO principles remains crucial.
- Are backlinks dead?
In conclusion, no, backlinks are not dead. Even in 2024, they continue to be an important factor in SEO, although their role is evolving with advancements in AI and search algorithms.