Should You Focus on Link Building in 2019? | Ep. #850

TL;DR

Link building is still relevant but not the primary focus.

Transcript

welcome to another episode of marketing school I'm Eric Sue and I'm Neil p and today we're going to talk about if you should focus on link building in 2019 Neil I'm curious what would you do if you're starting out actually if I was starting out I would spend some time on link building but I wouldn't focus on it if this was 2017 even 2018 what I fou... Read More

Key Insights

• Link building impacts rankings but is less effective than before, requiring a balanced approach with other strategies.
• An omni-channel marketing approach, including content creation and social media, is crucial for building a brand and improving SEO.
• Big brands dominate search rankings; building a recognizable brand in your niche is essential for SEO success.
• Creating content and driving traffic to it can generate quicker momentum than traditional link building.
• Quality over quantity is key in link building; focus on relevant, smaller sites rather than high DA links.
• Google prioritizes relevant sites over penalizing for bad links, emphasizing the need for quality link building.
• SEO strategies evolve, and staying updated with current practices is necessary to maintain or improve rankings.
• Once momentum is gained, a site will continue to grow, creating a self-sustaining cycle of link attraction and ranking improvement.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is link building less impactful now?

Link building is less impactful because the algorithms have evolved, making it take longer for links to affect rankings. The focus has shifted to quality over quantity, and other factors like brand presence and content creation have become more significant in SEO.

Q: What is the recommended approach to SEO in 2019?

The recommended approach to SEO in 2019 is an omni-channel strategy that includes content creation, social media marketing, and brand building. While link building remains a part of the strategy, it should not be the primary focus; instead, quality and relevance should guide link-building efforts.

Q: How can a brand improve its SEO rankings?

A brand can improve its SEO rankings by focusing on building a strong brand presence within its niche and engaging in an omni-channel marketing approach. This includes creating valuable content, leveraging social media, and ensuring link-building efforts are targeted and relevant.

Q: What role do big brands play in SEO rankings?

Big brands often dominate SEO rankings because they have established authority and trust within their industries. This highlights the importance of branding in SEO, as recognizable brands are more likely to rank higher and attract more links, contributing to a self-sustaining cycle of growth.

Q: What is the importance of quality links in SEO?

Quality links are important in SEO because they are more relevant and beneficial than a large number of low-quality or irrelevant links. Google's algorithms prioritize quality and relevance, making it essential to focus on obtaining links from sites that are contextually related to your content.

Q: How has Google's approach to link penalties changed?

Google's approach has shifted from penalizing sites for bad links to focusing on promoting the most relevant sites. This means that while manipulative link-building practices might not result in penalties, they are also unlikely to positively impact rankings, emphasizing the need for quality link-building strategies.

Q: Why is it important to stay updated with SEO practices?

Staying updated with SEO practices is important because the landscape is constantly evolving. What worked in the past may not be effective today, and adapting to changes in algorithms and best practices is crucial to maintaining or improving SEO performance and rankings.

Q: What is the long-term benefit of successful link building?

The long-term benefit of successful link building is the creation of a flywheel effect, where a site gains momentum and continues to grow. As the site builds authority, it naturally attracts more links and ranks higher, creating a self-sustaining cycle that enhances visibility and traffic over time.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Link building is still a part of SEO, but its impact has diminished, necessitating a focus on quality over quantity. An omni-channel approach is recommended, with emphasis on content creation and brand building.

• SEO has become a branding game, with larger brands dominating search results. Building a recognizable brand within your niche is crucial, utilizing various marketing channels to achieve this.

• Quality links from relevant sites are more beneficial than numerous high DA links. Google's focus is on relevance rather than penalizing sites, so adapting to current SEO practices is essential for success.