Before you run off and start plugging your link halfway across the internet on every semi-related website you come across, take some time and examine the internet real estate where you are going to be placing a gateway to your own website. Whenever I place a backlink, I always make sure to run through a series of criteria, first.

1. Quality Backlinks are RELEVANT Backlinks

Make sure the page where your backlink will be displayed is in the same niche as your website! Why link to your website selling car parts from a blog that reviews baby diapers? It makes no sense at all! The more relevant the link, the higher your position in the search engine results pages. Hopefully the page is keyword rich and highly ranked already, which brings me to my next criteria.

2. Quality Backlinks are from RESPECTED and RANKED websites.

If the website that is displaying your backlink ranks highly for the keywords or keyphrases you are after, chances are they are an authority website with some steady traffic. Backlinks from these authority figures will increase interest in your own website. I try to get build backlinks with websites that are in the top two hundred results for my search criteria.

3. Quality Backlinks contain your TARGETED KEYWORDS or KEYPHRASE

Last but not least, when submitting your link, don’t forget to target your anchor text! Do NOT have your link saying “Click here to go to ____________” … bury your anchor within a catchy, keyword rich paragraph or sentence. For example: “Internet marketing & seo techniques are a necessity in promoting your brand and increasing traffic.” That sentence gives opportunity to give myself three different relevant, keyword rich backlinks.

So, make sure to take a step back and examine the website your about to place your link before you do so. Just don’t take over my keywords!