I’d say backlinks are still one of the fastest levers to move rankings, but the type of backlink matters more than ever. A handful of relevant, high-authority links can push a page quicker than months of on-page tweaks. That said, I’ve also noticed Google rewarding signals like brand mentions, topical authority, and strong internal linking more than before. So yes, backlinks work, but they work best when paired with solid content and a clear topical footprint.

In my experience there’s definitely a correlation — the higher-ranking sites almost always have stronger backlink profiles. Content is the foundation (without it links won’t stick), but backlinks are what give that content the authority to compete. I’ve seen great content sit invisible until it picked up quality links, and average content jump simply because of the right backlinks. Ideally, you need both, but if I had to pick the bigger short-term ranking lever, backlinks usually move the needle faster. Is

@Sean Markey I’ve done a lot of SEO on WordPress and other platforms, and the process is pretty similar overall. The main differences are site speed and add-ons. Wix is an all-in-one platform, while WordPress relies on plugins like Elementor to build and customize.

I try to focus on back link for relevance first, like industry listing, bussiness Registries, then niche specific. Depending on how competitive the niche is.

Curious — has anyone tested whether brand mentions alone (without a link) on a high-traffic, niche-relevant site moved the needle for them? I’m seeing early signs it does. For example if people mention you on Reddit with out link.