Podcast Summary: Grumpy SEO Guy - "Are All Backlinks Helpful?" (Episode 84)
Release Date: November 27, 2024
I. Introduction
In Episode 84 of the "Grumpy SEO Guy" podcast, titled "Are All Backlinks Helpful?", the host delves into the often-debated topic of backlinks within the SEO landscape. Drawing from his 14 years of experience running an SEO agency, Grumpy SEO Guy aims to dispel common myths and provide clarity on how backlinks influence website rankings. The episode is structured to address listener questions, provide actionable insights, and challenge prevailing misconceptions about backlinks and their impact on SEO.
II. Clarifying Authority Metrics: DA, DR, and PageRank
Grumpy SEO Guy begins by addressing the confusion surrounding authority metrics such as Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR). He explains:
"Authority is a word that refers to how much significance does your website or your webpage have." (03:03)
He elaborates that DA (Moz) and DR (Ahrefs) are third-party estimations of a website's authority, modeled after Google's now-defunct PageRank system. PageRank was once a primary indicator of a site's authority but has since been discontinued and kept internal by Google. Consequently, tools like Moz and Ahrefs provide their proprietary metrics to approximate a site's authority, though these are not official measures used by search engines.
III. Debunking the Myth: Higher Authority Backlinks Are Necessarily Better
A common misconception addressed in the episode is the belief that backlinks from higher authority websites are inherently more beneficial, while those from lower authority sites can be harmful. Grumpy SEO Guy tackles this by posing the question frequently asked by his audience:
"Is it true that backlinks from websites with more authority help you and with less authority hurt you?" (01:55)
His clear response is:
"No, websites with less authority than you that link to you do not hurt you." (02:45)
He emphasizes that all backlinks from standard, non-spammy websites contribute positively to a site's SEO. The key takeaway is that while higher authority backlinks may provide more "link juice," lower authority backlinks are still valuable and do not harm a website's standing.
IV. The Value of Authority in Backlinks: An Analogy
To illustrate the concept of authority in backlinks, Grumpy SEO Guy employs a financial analogy:
"If you're a millionaire, and I have $1,000, and I give you a dollar, you're still getting a dollar. It doesn't matter that I have $1,000 and I gave you a dollar." (06:35)
This analogy serves to demonstrate that the absolute value of a backlink remains beneficial regardless of the authority disparity between the linking and linked websites. However, he clarifies that while higher authority links may provide more benefit proportionally, lower authority links still offer tangible SEO advantages.
V. Impact of Outbound Links on Link Value
Grumpy SEO Guy highlights another critical factor influencing the value of backlinks: the number of outbound links on a webpage. He explains that:
"If you have a webpage with a lot of authority and also a lot of outbound links, it is possible that each of those links carries less link juice than a smaller number of links from a lower authority webpage." (08:24)
This means that a high-authority page distributing many backlinks may dilute the value each individual link provides. Conversely, fewer outbound links can concentrate the link juice, enhancing the SEO benefit of each backlink.
VI. Understanding Nofollow Backlinks
Addressing the debate over nofollow links, Grumpy SEO Guy clarifies their role in SEO:
"All backlinks that come from regular websites help you. They all help you. If they have smaller authority, they might help you less." (15:53)
He references a 2019 statement from Google, explaining that nofollow links are treated as hints rather than strict directives:
"When nofollow is introduced, Google would not count any link marked this way as a signal to use within our search algorithms. This has now changed all the link attributes. Sponsored, UGC and NoFollow are treated as hints about which links to consider or exclude within search." (13:48)
Grumpy SEO Guy advises listeners not to obsess over the ratio of dofollow to nofollow links, affirming that:
"It is normal to get nofollow backlinks. They are normal. The point that you should take away from this episode is that all backlinks that come from regular websites help you." (10:31)
He encourages maintaining a natural backlink profile, where a mix of dofollow and nofollow links is typical and beneficial.
VII. Conclusion: Embracing All Worthwhile Backlinks
In wrapping up the episode, Grumpy SEO Guy reiterates the central message:
"All backlinks help you. They all help you. As long as you're doing them correctly." (15:56)
He emphasizes that backlinks from reputable, non-spammy sites are advantageous, regardless of their individual authority levels. The host encourages listeners to focus on acquiring a diverse and natural backlink profile rather than fixating solely on authority metrics or backlink quantities.
Key Takeaways
- Authority Metrics Are Estimates: DA and DR are third-party approximations of a website's authority, not official Google metrics.
- All Quality Backlinks Are Beneficial: Backlinks from standard, reputable websites support SEO, irrespective of their authority relative to your site.
- Outbound Links Impact Link Value: The number of outbound links on a page can influence the SEO benefit of each backlink.
- Nofollow Links Are Normal and Beneficial: A natural backlink profile includes a mix of dofollow and nofollow links, both contributing positively to SEO.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Prioritize obtaining backlinks from relevant and reputable sources rather than chasing high-authority links exclusively.
Additional Resources
For listeners seeking to deepen their understanding of backlinks and authority metrics, Grumpy SEO Guy recommends previous episodes:
- Episode 37: "The Difference Between Good Backlinks and Bad Backlinks"
- Episode 39: "The Difference Between Good Backlinks and Bad Backlinks, Part Two"
- Episode 38: "NoFollow and Other Link Attributes"
Subscribers are encouraged to engage with the podcast through the Grumpy SEO Guy subreddit or by emailing me@hellorumpyseoguy.com, ensuring their messages are not misdirected to spam folders.
This summary encapsulates the essential discussions and insights from Episode 84 of the Grumpy SEO Guy podcast, providing listeners and non-listeners alike with a comprehensive understanding of the nuances surrounding backlinks and their impact on SEO.