Introduction

If you’re an Edmonton business owner trying to figure out why your competitors keep outranking you on Google, even when your website looks just as good—or better—there’s one powerful SEO factor you might be overlooking: backlinks.

Backlinks are links from one website to another, and in the world of SEO Edmonton, they act like online votes of confidence. When a reputable site links to yours, Google sees your business as more credible, useful, and trustworthy. That credibility often turns into higher rankings, more traffic, and more customers.

At Digitize Media Corp, a leader in Digital Marketing Edmonton, we help local businesses build stronger online visibility through strategic link building. Whether you’re new to SEO or want to understand how to improve your search performance, this guide breaks down backlinks in simple, practical terms—so you can finally take control of your digital presence.

Let’s dive into the basics and explore how Edmonton businesses can use backlinks to rise above the competition.

What Are Backlinks?

Backlinks—also known as inbound or incoming links—are simply links from one website pointing to yours. Think of them as online recommendations. If another website links to your content, Google interprets that as a sign that your business offers value.

For instance, if Explore Edmonton features your local restaurant or boutique and links to your website, that’s a high-value backlink—one that boosts your search engine optimization more than you might expect.

Backlinks are foundational to strong Edmonton SEO performance because they help search engines determine which businesses deserve to rank higher.

Types of Backlinks You Should Know

1. Dofollow vs. Nofollow

• Dofollow links pass authority and directly impact your SEO.

• Nofollow links don’t pass authority but still contribute to visibility and referral traffic.

Both types matter, but dofollow links are the biggest ranking drivers.

2. Internal vs. External Links

• Internal links connect pages within your own website.

• External backlinks come from other websites and carry much more weight.

Understanding this difference helps you build a balanced SEO strategy.

Why Backlinks Matter for SEO Ranking

Backlinks remain one of Google’s top ranking signals. When strong websites link to you, it tells search engines you’re relevant and trustworthy.

Backlinks help your business:

• Rank higher in search results

• Increase organic traffic

• Build long-term authority

• Improve visibility for local searches

• Gain more qualified leads

This is why nearly every top-ranking Edmonton company invests in backlink acquisition as part of its core Edmonton SEO plan.

How Backlinks Work: Authority & Trust

Not all backlinks provide equal value. Google evaluates several factors:

• Domain Authority (DA): Higher-authority sites pass more value.

• Relevance: Links from related industries signal trust.

• Placement: Editorial links in articles outperform footer or sidebar links.

A backlink from a site like the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce is far more valuable than a link from an unrelated, low-quality blog.

This is why professional SEO services in Edmonton focus on building authority through high-quality, relevant backlinks rather than simply gathering as many links as possible.

Quality vs. Quantity: What Matters Most

Back in the early days of SEO, businesses could rank by collecting hundreds of low-quality links. Today, that approach leads to penalties.

High-quality backlinks share these traits:

1. They come from authoritative websites.

2. They’re relevant to your industry or location.

3. They’re editorial, not purchased.

4. They’re natural and contextually placed.

5. They diversify your backlink profile.

Digitize Media Corp ensures your business builds links that matter—not risky shortcuts that hurt your ranking.

Best Practices for Earning Backlinks

Here are powerful link building strategies Edmonton businesses can implement right away:

✔ 1. Create High-Value, Shareable Content

Blogs, how-to guides, and infographics that solve real problems often attract natural backlinks.

✔ 2. Get Listed in Trusted Edmonton Directories

Essential directories include:

• Explore Edmonton

• Edmonton Chamber of Commerce

• Alberta business listings

• Yelp Edmonton

• Local.ca

These improve both local authority and SEO.

✔ 3. Collaborate With Edmonton Businesses

Guest blogs, partnerships, cross-promotions, and event sponsorships can all result in valuable backlinks.

✔ 4. Pitch Local Media & Publications

Edmonton news outlets frequently feature businesses with unique stories, innovations, or community contributions.

✔ 5. Leverage Social Content to Spark Organic Links

Strong social content boosts visibility and makes it easier for other websites to discover—and link to—your business.

Digitize Media Corp integrates these methods into customized SEO Edmonton strategies that suit your industry, goals, and audience.

Common Backlink Mistakes Edmonton Businesses Make

❌ 1. Buying Backlinks

This violates Google’s rules and can destroy your rankings.

❌ 2. Overusing the Same Anchor Text

Repetitive keyword anchors look unnatural and trigger penalties.

❌ 3. Ignoring Local Link Opportunities

Local backlinks often outperform national ones—but many Edmonton businesses forget to pursue them.

❌ 4. Publishing Low-Quality Content

If your content doesn’t offer value, no one will want to link to it.

❌ 5. Failing to Monitor Toxic Links

Bad backlinks can drag down your site unless removed or disavowed.

Digitize Media Corp helps businesses avoid these mistakes while building strong, sustainable link profiles.

Conclusion

Backlinks are one of the most powerful tools available to Edmonton businesses looking to increase visibility and outrank their competitors. By focusing on high-quality, locally relevant backlinks, your business can significantly improve search rankings, attract more customers, and build long-term authority.

Whether you’re a trades business, restaurant, retail shop, or professional service provider, the right backlink strategy can transform your online presence. And you don’t have to navigate link building alone.

Digitize Media Corp—recognized by many as the best digital marketing agency Edmonton—specializes in strategic, ethical, and effective backlink campaigns tailored to local businesses.

Want to boost your SEO, build authority, and get found by more customers? Contact Digitize Media Corp today to start building backlinks that deliver real results for your Edmonton business.

About Digitize Media Corp

Digitize Media Corp is a full-service digital marketing agency based in Edmonton, Alberta. We specialize in helping startups and small businesses grow their Edmonton web presence with proven strategies in SEO, content marketing, advertising, and social media.