Is there a shift happening with SEO where backlinks are no longer working to push you up the ranks? Many websites are closing, like HARO where you could obtain back links for your website if you contribute to something a post with a comment etc. There is a lot of competition for keywords on Google nowadays and gaining even a slight edge will stand you in better stead over your competitors.
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) was an online service for journalists to obtain feedback from the public. It enabled journalists to connect with experts on issues relevant to their reporting. There were over 800,000 sources and 55,000 journalists and bloggers at its peak.
In short, if you are looking to add backlinks to your SEO strategy focus on the authority and relevance of the backlink instead of aiming for sheer quantity.
There was a time when quantity was the determining factor, and that’s why so many link farms popped up. Over the years Google has definitely got wise and has shifted its focus to quality links that are relevant.
There is still a place for HARO etc because of Google’s preference for expert commentary and input. In other words if you (and your site) are regularly mentioned in quality (DA, longevity) articles that have some form of editorial control then they show that you have a level of expertise and can be trusted.
It’s not foolproof and HARO itself has moved to a new site because of the level of spam and complaints that the publishers were receiving.
