We know that search engine algorithms are designed to automate quality control. Google does not physically read the millions of blog posts that get uploaded every day. Instead, it creates a system where quality naturally rises to the top. At least, that is the goal.
Backlink velocity is one of the most common and effective credibility signals. Let’s take a look at how link velocity and authority win the SEO race.
What is Link Velocity?
Link velocity simply refers to the number of backlinks an article or website acquires over a set period of time.
Here’s the thing: we don’t exactly know what Google considers good link velocity to be. The search engine is notoriously vague and cryptic in revealing its SEO standards, most likely as a way of avoiding spam content.
It’s widely believed that backlinks play a big role in gaining visibility with Google, but it’s also true that aggressively developing backlinks in a short amount of time is not an effective strategy.
If an article gets fifty backlinks within the first few weeks of publication, followed by virtually none, the Google search algorithm is most likely going to recognize this as spam.
On the other hand, if a similar article on the same topic receives twenty backlinks steadily over the course of six months, it might look more organic and believable in the eyes of the search engine.
This concept is similar to how the Breeders Cup builds up momentum gradually over months rather than appearing out of nowhere—consistency and pacing often lead to better long-term results. You can read more information here: https://www.twinspires.com/breeders-cup/betting/
You can’t go into your publication strategy with the one-dimensional goal of acquiring as many backlinks as possible in as short a time frame as you can. It just doesn’t work like that.
What is good? Reaching out to high-authority sites that are relevant to your topic and seeing if they will accept guest posts. Naturally building a steady stream of high-quality backlinks that appear both relevant and legitimate in Google’s eyes. Then doing all the other SEO things that search engines value at least just as much.
Credibility First
When developing an SEO strategy, the key is to put yourself in Google’s position. What outcome are they trying to produce with their algorithm? They want the best possible content to rise to the top.
Their ultimate objective is to ensure that people keep using Google as a search engine because the results they get are consistent with what they’re looking for.
In that regard, the best thing you can do with your SEO strategy is to, in every possible way, signal credibility. Backlinks will help get you there, but they should be one facet of a multi-layered SEO campaign:
- Keywords are relevant
- Article length is relevant
- Formatting is relevant
- Internal linking strategies are relevant
Perhaps more relevant than any single factor is doing a little bit of all of these behaviors. Google might interpret backlinks as a sign that an article is reliable—it suggests that people are responding to this article as a source of authority. But they’ve also indicated that a reliable article on a topic is typically:
- Around 2,000 words long
- Structured with multiple headings (for example, eight), worded in a way that feels specific to the inquiry
- Polished in terms of formatting and presentation
- Well-researched, with links embedded to support claims
- From an established source that has backlinked content related to the topic
Through all of these indications, a clear and complete picture emerges in the eyes of the search engine. This article has signaled its relevance and reliability in five different ways. Therefore, it will be ranked higher in the search engine results.
It Takes Time and Work
Obviously, building credibility in an authentic way is something that you can’t do overnight. For one thing, to meet all of the most relevant SEO criteria, you’re going to need to thoroughly research every piece of content that you upload.
You need to find out what the top-performing article in a subject area accomplishes, and then figure out how to write a better version of it.
But you also need to do this consistently over time so that your website is recognized as a stable, reliable source of authority by the search engine.
This means that a good SEO strategy could take six to twenty-four months to really take effect.
Hey, thoroughbreds don’t become champions overnight. Neither will you. But if you put in the hard work, you’ll get there eventually. SEO is all about consistency. Write well and often, and eventually Google will notice.