If you’ve been learning about SEO, you’ve probably come across the terms link building and backlinks. While they’re connected, they’re not the same thing.
Let’s break it down in simple words.
🔗 What are Backlinks?
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website.
Think of them as “votes of trust” — if a trusted website links to you, it tells Google,
“Hey, this content is valuable.”
Example:
If Forbes writes an article and includes a link to your blog, that’s a backlink for your site.
🛠️ What is Link Building?
Link building is the process of getting those backlinks.
It’s the strategy and action you take to earn high-quality links from other websites. This could include:
- Writing guest posts
- Reaching out to bloggers
- Creating link-worthy content
- Submitting to business directories
So in short:
✅ Backlink = the actual link
✅ Link building = the effort or strategy to get that link
📊 Why They Both Matter in SEO
- Backlinks are one of the top-ranking factors in Google’s algorithm
- Link building helps you acquire those backlinks through smart and ethical methods
Without backlinks, your site may struggle to rank. Without link building, you’ll struggle to get backlinks.
🚫 Common Misconception
Some people think just writing content is enough and backlinks will come on their own.
Reality: Most quality backlinks need intentional effort — that’s where link building becomes essential.
🧠 Final Takeaway
- Backlinks are the goal
- Link building is the method to reach that goal
If you want your website to show up on Google’s first page, a strong link-building strategy that earns high-quality backlinks is key.