January 20, 2026
2
min read

What is Backlink Definition?

Shatavisha Chatterjee

What is Backlink Definition?

A backlink means a hyperlink from one website to another website. Backlinks are also known as inbound links or incoming links, and they signal to search engines that another site considers your content valuable or trustworthy.

Backlinks play an important role in search engine optimization (SEO) by helping search engines evaluate a website’s authority and relevance.

What is the purpose of backlinks?

The purpose of backlinks is to improve a website’s visibility, credibility, and ranking potential in search engine results.

Here are the main purposes of backlinks

  • Improve the search engine rankings
  • To increase the website authority and trustworthiness
  • Drive referral traffic from other websites
  • Help search engines discover and index content
  • Strengthen the overall SEO performance

High-quality backlinks from relevant and authoritative websites have a greater positive impact than low-quality or spammy links.

What does a backlink typically include? 

A backlink typically includes a clickable link that directs users and search engines from one website to another.

Backlink’s typical components are:

  • Source website linking to another site
  • Anchor text, i.e., the clickable text of the link
  • Destination URL
  • Link attributes such as dofollow or nofollow
  • Contextual placement within relevant content

Overall, backlinks serve as digital endorsements that help websites gain authority, increase organic traffic, and improve search engine performance.