Last Updated on April 22, 2025 by Becky Halls
If you’ve ever typed “how many backlinks do I need to rank” into Google, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions asked by website owners and SEO beginners – and while there’s no magic number, there is a science (and a bit of art) to it.
In this guide, we’ll explain what backlinks are, why they matter, and help you understand how many you might need to climb the search rankings. Spoiler: It’s not just about quantity – it’s about quality, context, and consistency.
What Are Backlinks, and Why Do They Matter?
Backlinks (also known as inbound links) are links from one website that point to a page on your website. In the eyes of search engines like Google, they act like votes of confidence. The more quality websites that link to your content, the more trustworthy and authoritative your site appears.
Search engines use backlinks to:
- Measure your site’s credibility and authority
- Discover new content for indexing
- Determine how your content should rank for specific search queries
So when people ask, “how many backlinks do I need to rank,” what they’re really asking is: How do I get search engines to trust my site enough to show it to users?
The Real Answer: It Depends (But Let’s Break It Down)
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, “how many backlinks do I need to rank,” because the number varies based on several factors:
1. Your Niche
Highly competitive niches (like finance, health, or real estate) require far more backlinks than low-competition niches. If you’re in a narrow or local niche, you might only need a handful of quality backlinks to break into the top 10.
2. The Competition
Search your target keyword and analyze the top 10 results using tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest. Look at how many referring domains (unique websites linking in) those pages have. That gives you a realistic target.
3. Content Quality and Relevance
A well-optimized, in-depth, and user-friendly page may rank with fewer backlinks than a poorly written one with more links. Backlinks help, but content still rules.
4. Domain Authority
If your site already has a strong backlink profile and domain authority, you’ll need fewer new backlinks to get individual pages to rank. For newer sites, you’ll need more links to build initial trust.
5. Page-Level Optimization
Is your content optimized for the right keywords? Are your title tags, headers, internal links, and meta descriptions on point? Solid on-page SEO reduces the backlink lift required.
A General Backlink Benchmark
While “it depends” still applies, here are very general benchmarks to help you understand where to aim:
- Low competition keyword: 0–20 backlinks from unique domains may be enough
- Medium competition keyword: 20–100 backlinks
- High competition keyword: 100+ backlinks (and likely more over time)
Remember: this isn’t about blasting out hundreds of low-quality links. A few backlinks from high-authority, niche-relevant sites can carry more weight than 100 spammy ones.
Quality Over Quantity (Always)
Let’s say it louder for the folks in the back: It’s not how many backlinks you have—it’s who they’re from.
Focus on:
- Relevance – Links from sites related to your niche or industry
- Authority – Links from websites with strong domain authority and trust
- Context – Links embedded naturally within content (not stuck in footers or sidebars)
- Diversity – A variety of anchor texts, domains, and link sources
One backlink from a respected industry blog may do more for your rankings than 50 links from random blogs or directories.
How to Start Building Backlinks (the Right Way)
If you’re just starting your SEO journey, here are some beginner-friendly strategies to earn backlinks:
1. Guest Posting
Offer to write high-quality content for reputable blogs in your industry. In return, you can include a relevant link back to your site.
2. Create Link-Worthy Content
Write original research, how-to guides, or infographics that others naturally want to cite and link to.
3. Use a Platform Like 3Way.Social
Tools like 3Way.Social help connect you with relevant websites for ethical, AI-matched backlink exchanges – perfect for getting started with high-quality link-building.
4. Submit to Directories (Carefully)
Only use well-moderated, niche-relevant directories. Avoid spammy “link farms.”
5. Leverage Social Media and Forums
Share your content on Reddit, Quora, or LinkedIn to build visibility and attract natural backlinks.
Monitor and Adjust Your Backlink Strategy
SEO isn’t a one-and-done project. As your site grows and competitors evolve, your backlink needs will too. Use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Moz to:
- Track your current backlinks
- Identify which links are helping
- Spot toxic or spammy backlinks to disavow
Review your backlink profile regularly, and keep building over time.
Final Thoughts: It’s About Smart, Not Just More
If you’re still wondering “how many backlinks do I need to rank,” remember: it’s less about hitting a number and more about building a natural, high-quality backlink profile that supports your content and audience.
Start small, stay consistent, and focus on value. As your link-building strategy matures, you’ll build authority, earn trust – and yes, you’ll rank.
