How to Build High-Quality Backlinks in 2025

Wondering why your website isn’t ranking higher—or showing up in AI search summaries—despite having great content?

The answer might lie in your backlinks.

In 2025, as AI-driven search continues to evolve with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews, we’re seeing a major shift. Search engines and large language models now summarise answers directly, often without linking to a source. That means fewer clicks but more emphasis on brand authority and trust signals.

And that’s where backlinks still matter.

High-quality backlinks remain one of Google’s most powerful ranking factors and a key indicator of credibility. They can also improve your brand’s visibility in AI-generated summaries and help your business stand out in an increasingly competitive landscape.

So, if you want to rank higher, earn brand mentions, and stay visible in AI-powered search, you’ll need a backlink strategy built on quality, not shortcuts.

Let’s explore how to do that in 2025.

Key Takeaways

• High-quality backlinks still matter in an AI-driven search world.

• One trusted, relevant backlink is worth more than 100 low-quality ones.

• Build backlinks through content, partnerships, and digital PR.

• The best link-building strategy adds value—not tricks search engines.

Why Building Backlinks Still Matters

Think of backlinks as votes of confidence for your website. Each one tells Google and AI models, “This content is worth referencing.”

Research consistently shows that top-ranking sites have strong backlink profiles. According to Backlinko, websites in Google’s top 10 results have 3.8x more backlinks than those lower in rankings (Backlinko, 2024). Another study by Ahrefs found that 96% of pages get no organic traffic because they lack backlinks (Ahrefs, 2024).

But not all backlinks are created equal.

Low-quality, spammy links can do more harm than good. What you really want are editorial, relevant, and authoritative backlinks—the kind that drive referral traffic, build brand trust, and boost your domain authority.

What Makes a High-Quality Backlink?

A strong backlink ticks three key boxes:

1. Relevance: The linking site’s topic should align with yours. For example, a respected tech blog linking to your AI software page is gold.

2. Authority: Links from trusted domains (.edu, .gov, or major publications) carry far more weight.

3. Natural Placement: Genuine editorial mentions—earned through relationships or quality content—are always better than paid or forced links.

As Alex Horowitz from NP Digital notes, “A good backlink comes from a site with solid domain authority, organic traffic, and relevance to your content. If the link doesn’t add value for readers, it’s probably not worth it.”

Other factors that help:

• Keyword-rich anchor text (used sparingly)

• Placement high in the body of the content

• Links from pages with existing strong traffic or engagement

Quality vs Quantity: The Great Backlink Debate

Do you need hundreds of backlinks? Not necessarily.

Quality trumps quantity every time—but the two together form the ideal mix. A few high-quality backlinks from trusted sources can outperform hundreds of low-value ones.

Avoid shortcuts like buying links, spamming directories, or trading backlinks. These may deliver short-term wins, but they’ll hurt your site’s reputation and visibility in the long run.

Focus on earning links—through valuable content, authentic relationships, and ethical outreach.

14 Proven Strategies to Build Quality Backlinks in 2025

Here are the best ways to earn backlinks that matter this year:

1. Offer Value in Outreach: Make your pitch about the recipient’s audience, not your own gain.

2. Create Exceptional Content: Comprehensive, data-rich, and original content naturally attracts links.

3. Show You’re Legit: A professional website with HTTPS, social proof, and clear contact details builds trust.

4. Keep Pitches Short: Editors appreciate concise, direct outreach—under 100 words is ideal.

5. Leverage Digital PR: Create newsworthy stories, data studies, or insights journalists want to cite.

6. Publish Original Research: Conduct surveys or analyse data for unique findings that others will reference.

7. Use Infographics and Visuals: Shareable visuals often earn organic backlinks from blogs and media.

8. Give Testimonials: Write reviews for vendors or partners—they’ll often link back to your site.

9. Link Out Strategically: Link to other sites, then reach out and start a relationship.

10. Engage with Industry Content: Comment on relevant blogs and posts to build connections.

11. Align Social Signals: Keep your social channels consistent with your website for trust and SEO.

12. Capitalise on Trends: Publish timely content around trending topics to attract media attention.

13. Reclaim Brand Mentions: Find unlinked mentions of your brand and politely request a link.

14. Analyse Competitors: Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to uncover backlink opportunities.

FAQs

How do I get quality backlinks?Create great content, build relationships, and leverage digital PR. Avoid shortcuts and focus on earning links naturally.

How many backlinks do I need?For competitive industries, 20–30 high-quality backlinks per key page can make a significant impact. Even a handful of links from top-tier domains can outperform hundreds of weak ones.

Can I pay for backlinks?Paid backlinks violate Google’s guidelines. Instead, focus on sponsored content or collaborations that add real value.

How can I identify authoritative sites?Look for websites with relevant topics, strong domain authority (DA 40+), and real organic traffic.

Final Thoughts: Building Links That Last

High-quality backlinks are still the foundation of effective SEO—even in the age of AI search.

When you focus on creating content worth linking to and sharing it with the right audiences, you’ll earn links that drive visibility, trust, and long-term growth.

And as AI-generated search results become more prominent, those trusted mentions and backlinks will be the difference between being visible—or invisible.

Want to Supercharge Your SEO?

DigitalxMarketing’s SEO Growth Team can help you build a high-quality backlink strategy that boosts your rankings, strengthens your domain authority, and positions your brand for AI-powered search success.

Email info@digitalx.marketing to book your Free Digital SEO Audit today — and find out where your backlink opportunities lie.