How Backlinks Boost SEO: Expert Tips from Brandon Leibowitz
When it comes to SEO, backlinks aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. In a recent podcast episode of More Than a Few Words, Lorraine Ball sat down with digital marketing expert Brandon Leibowitz, founder of SEO Optimizers, to unpack exactly why backlinks matter, how to get them, and how small businesses can use them strategically to boost online visibility.
From breaking down backlink basics to sharing advanced search tips and real-world outreach strategies, this conversation is a goldmine for any business owner looking to get serious about search rankings.
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Backlink and Why Should You Care?
A backlink is simply a clickable link from another website that points to yours.
Imagine you’re reading an article on Forbes.com and you see Brandon’s name hyperlinked. Clicking that takes you to his website—boom, that’s a backlink. And according to Google, every legitimate site that links to you is essentially vouching for your credibility.
That digital “vote of confidence” increases your trustworthiness and authority online.
Why Are Backlinks Important for SEO?
Backlinks help Google determine:
- Popularity – Are other sites talking about you?
- Relevance – Are those sites related to your industry?
- Authority – Are those sites trustworthy themselves?
In other words, not all backlinks are created equal.
Getting linked from a massive site like The Wall Street Journal or Wikipedia holds far more weight than a random blog no one’s heard of.
How to Find Quality Backlink Opportunities
1. Spy on Your Competitors
Want to know where your competitors are getting mentioned?
Use paid tools like:
- Ahrefs
- SEMrush
- Moz
These let you plug in a competitor’s URL and extract their backlink profile. You can see:
- Where they’re getting featured
- Who’s writing about them
- Whether they’re guest blogging, podcasting, or publishing press releases
Then, reverse-engineer that strategy and go after the same (or better) links.
Pro Tip: Even if these tools are expensive, you can subscribe for one month and do a backlink blitz analysis.
2. Use Advanced Google Search Operators
Don’t want to pay for tools yet?
Try this DIY Google method:
inurl:"guest-post" + your keyword
This filters for websites that accept guest contributions in your niche.
Other useful combos include:
intitle:"write for us"+ keywordsite:domain.com+ keyword (to see where it’s mentioned on a specific domain)
Or just type in your niche + blog/podcast and start digging.
What Makes a Backlink High-Quality?
According to Brandon, two things matter most:
1. Relevance
The backlink should come from a site related to your niche.
- If you’re in SEO, try getting linked from marketing or entrepreneurship blogs.
- If you sell skincare, beauty, and wellness, sites are your best bet.
Avoid sites that publish content from every industry under the sun. That’s a red flag.
2. Authority
Is the linking site itself reputable?
- High authority: Sites with strong domain rankings and lots of traffic.
- Low authority: New or spammy sites, or content farms that sell links.
Not sure? Look for these signs:
| Good Link | Bad Link |
|---|---|
| From a niche-related blog | From a gambling or adult site |
| Natural inclusion in content | Forced link in unrelated context |
| Real business with engagement | No social proof or activity |
Can Bad Backlinks Hurt You?
Yes. Google can penalize your site for associating with shady websites.
Brandon warns against:
- PBNs (Private Blog Networks): Fake sites created just to manipulate rankings.
- Foreign-language blogs: Unless your site targets that language, these look spammy.
- Reciprocal link rings: “You link to me, I link to you” rarely works anymore.
Instead, focus on building long-term relationships with legitimate sites that offer real value to your audience.
How to Offer Value and Earn Backlinks
Cold outreach works—but only if you do it right.
Here’s how to avoid sounding like a spammer:
1. Offer Original Content
- Blog posts
- Infographics
- Case studies
- Expert quotes
2. Be a Guest
- Appear on niche podcasts
- Do Q&A interviews
- Host joint webinars
3. Build Relationships
Don’t just drop a “Can I get a link?” email. Introduce yourself, compliment their work, and explain how your content adds value to their audience.
Rule of thumb: Would you link to this yourself? If not, don’t ask others to.
Who You Link to Also Matters
Backlinking isn’t a one-way street.
When you link to other websites:
- Choose high-quality sources
- Make sure they are relevant to your niche
- Avoid linking to spammy or irrelevant domains
Google looks at both incoming and outgoing links to determine your site’s trustworthiness.
Final Takeaway: Backlinks = Digital Reputation
To quote Brandon: “In life and online, you’re judged by the company you keep.”
So if you want Google (and customers) to take your business seriously:
- Be intentional about who you associate with
- Build links from sites you respect
- Offer value, not just ask
Whether you’re a small business owner or digital marketer, focusing on backlink strategy isn’t optional—it’s essential.
NLP + LSI Keywords to Include in Your Backlink Strategy
Here’s a list of semantically related keywords to diversify your content:
- SEO strategy
- Link building
- Guest post outreach
- Domain authority
- Google rankings
- Organic traffic
- Off-page SEO
- White hat SEO
- Site trustworthiness
- Niche blogs
- Podcast backlinks
- Web visibility
- Referral traffic
- Search engine optimization
- Online credibility
- Link juice
- Do-follow backlinks
- Anchor text
- PageRank
- Blog collaborations
- SEO audit
- Link quality
Conclusion
A smart backlink strategy can transform your online presence. Focus on quality over quantity, value over volume, and relevance over randomness.
Brandon’s advice is simple but powerful: think like a human, build real connections, and the rankings will follow.
Ready to improve your SEO with backlinks?
Start by checking your competitors, crafting valuable content, and targeting reputable sites in your niche.
Want help with that? Visit SEOoptimizers.com—because your site deserves more traffic, more leads, and more credibility.
