Are backlinks still as powerful as before in SEO?

[candacelarisa22]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get your thoughts on backlinks in 2026.

They’ve always been a major ranking factor, but with all the recent changes from Google, it feels like their impact might be evolving.

Do you think backlinks still play the same role, or is content quality and relevance taking over more now?

Also, are you focusing more on fewer high-quality links or still building volume?

Would love to hear your current strategies and what’s actually working for you.

 

[HostWild]

Hello! @candacelarisa22

Backlinks still play a major role in SEO, but always keep content quality as a priority. Never go with quantity, always earn backlink as natural way. Nowadays, you should create in depth and problem solving content to get organic traffic.

Also, don’t forget to optimize your content for AI readiness, it’s the future!

In Short:
1. Content + relevance first
2. Fewer but high quality backlinks
3. Authority building over time.

 

[bigredseo]

The right backlink is always powerful. Generic links have generic effects. Spammy links are ignored. UGC and Guest Post links have much less value than they used to. Forum profile links, Web2.0 links, etc - all have no real value. PBNs work, if you can find one that hasn't been exposed, but it usually has short-term gains or limited gains - depending on niche.

 

[Mivocloud]

Hi! How are you?

Actually, the question is very good on my part. I can say the following: I have done and will continue to do backlinking. This will be useful, but also do not forget that an increasing number of people are using AI to obtain information, and therefore it is necessary that your website/blog/ forum include topics that AI can give out when requested.

For example, I write articles on our website and the AI began to give us away as a source of information because it was written by a human. Referring to us, AI literally provides a link to our article, which increases the trust of not only AI but also search engines in general, and due to this, the number of visitors and potential customers is growing.

 

[SolidVPS]

SEO is never dead — it just evolves. The approach today is different from what it used to be. We used to partner with many major SEO tool creators like MR, GSA, SB and others, and even now it’s clear that SEO isn’t gone; it’s simply changed.

At the end of the day, Google isn’t a search‑engine company — it’s a marketing company. So there will always be pushback, and there will always be a new way forward.

 

[Scarlehn]

Backlinks still move the needle for me, but I focus on ones that feel natural and come from places that actually get real traffic. I’ve had decent results using Crowdo for forum-style links and guest posts because they filter for sites with solid metrics, which kept things steady even after the latest algo shifts. Pairing that with strong content has been the sweet spot.

 

[raineCantrell]

I’ve found that top-notch content and proper backlinks make a huge difference in SEO
I'm using a guest posting service to get quality backlinks from reputable sites. It’s been great for boosting my site's authority and traffic without risking spammy links
Plus, it’s helped me with audience reach and networking
The focus is on creating valuable content that aligns with Google's updates, which feels key nowadays

 

[F1Fan22]

I started focusing more on high-quality backlinks that align with Google's updates, and it really made a difference.

Plus, for a comprehensive approach, I've been using seo services Malaysia, which has really helped me convert organic traffic into actual leads and revenue.

Their strategy includes both on-page and off-page optimization with clear, impact-driven reporting that ties everything back to results.

 

[alenharbor]

Backlinks still matter in 2026, but I don't think volume is the main goal anymore. I'd rather have a few relevant links from trustworthy websites than build a large number of low-quality ones.
Content quality and relevance are just as important. A strong piece of content can naturally attract links, while good internal linking and solid technical SEO help those pages perform better.
For me, the best approach is a combination of useful content, relevant backlinks, and a technically healthy website rather than relying on link building alone.

 

[SenseiSteve]

I think backlinks have become more of a trust signal than a numbers game.

Ten years ago, you could often move the needle with enough links. Today, I'd rather have a handful of editorial links from sites that are genuinely relevant to my industry than hundreds of directory, profile, or low-quality guest post links.

What has become just as important is why someone would link to you in the first place. Original research, detailed case studies, benchmark data, tutorials, and unique insights tend to earn links naturally while also being the type of content AI search tools and large language models are more likely to reference.

I also think SEOs sometimes overlook internal linking. If you've earned an authoritative backlink, a well-planned internal linking structure can help distribute that authority to the pages that matter most.

For me, the formula today is:

• Create content worth citing.
• Earn relevant, authoritative backlinks rather than chasing volume.
• Build topical authority across the entire site.
• Make the technical foundation (Core Web Vitals, crawlability, structured data, internal links) as strong as possible.

Backlinks are still important, but they're no longer something I'd treat as a standalone strategy. They're one piece of a much larger trust and authority puzzle.

 

[bigredseo]

I also think SEOs sometimes overlook internal linking. If you've earned an authoritative backlink, a well-planned internal linking structure can help distribute that authority to the pages that matter most.

Internal links are always overlooked it seems. If your website is already in a good place, a handful of internal links can outrank other websites.

We do very few backlinks on our own site - I don't know the last time I reached out to someone for a link, but I do know that I recently had a post here that linked to an article I wrote. But beyond that, It's probably been a year since I've purposely set a backlink. People link to us on a regular basis, but that's based on content we produce, etc.

But I can say unequivocally that internal links can boost not only the page/article but the AI snippets too. Do a search online for "doorway vs landing pages," and you'll see us at the top for AI Overview, on the right for sites referenced, and at the top for Organic. This is a traffic-driving page. Many of the keywords this page ranks for drive 300+ searches per month. Since posting the article in February, our page has more than 50,000 impressions and over 1,000 clicks. That's real power. And again, not a single backlink; it's all internal.

Internal links are overlooked way too often!