How Many Backlinks Do You Need to Rank?

How many backlinks is good for ranking well in search engines? According to Ahrefs’ Keyword Difficulty scale (more on this later), a keyword with a KD of 40 would likely require approximately 56 referring domains to break into the top 10 search results.

But then, ever wondered why some pages rank with 50 backlinks while others need thousands?

The truth is, there’s no universal answer. The number of backlinks needed depends on factors like niche competitiveness, domain authority, and keyword difficulty. In this guide, we’ll explore how backlinks influence rankings, analyze real-world examples, and help you determine the right approach for your website.

Understanding Backlinks and Why They Matter

Backlinks are hyperlinks from other websites pointing to your site. Search engines view them as endorsements, signaling that your content is credible and valuable. They are a core factor in off-site SEO, impacting rankings, visibility, and authority.

Learn more in our detailed guide on backlinks.

How Many Backlinks Is Too Many?

Do more backlinks always mean higher Rankings? Not necessarily. Some websites achieve high rankings with significantly fewer backlinks by focusing on content quality. Quality trumps quantity when it comes to backlinks. A single link from an authoritative domain in your niche space (e.g., Forbes, for business and finance, Wired for technology and so on) can be more powerful than dozens of low-quality links.

Comparison of High vs. Low-Quality Backlinks:

Understanding what constitutes a high quality backlink is crucial for effective SEO. High-quality backlinks are essential for improving website rankings and establishing a strong SEO strategy. They are characterized by relevance, authority, freshness, and editorial merit. Effective methods for generating these valuable links can significantly enhance online visibility.

Key takeaways

• Highly competitive industries (e.g. finance, SEO, health) require thousands of backlinks.

• Niche topics with low competition can rank with fewer, high-quality links.

• The authority of referring domains matters more than sheer volume.

For a deeper dive into analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles, check out our guide on Competitor Backlink Analysis.

Now that we understand what backlinks are, let’s explore how many you actually need.

How to determine the right amount of backlinks

When determining how many links are needed, several key factors come into play. By understanding these factors, website owners can tailor their link building strategies to effectively boost search engine rankings. Let’s dive in.

1. Competitiveness of the Niche

The more competitive your niche, the more backlinks you’ll need. Analyzing your competitors’ backlink profiles gives insight into what it takes to compete.

🔍 Example:

• 1st page for “best pet food” has 11 000 backlinks. (Yes, it’s a homepage.)

• The next competitor in the results (ranked #2) has only 36(!) backlinks.

• This suggests that a smaller number of high-quality links can still rank well if authority and relevance are high.

  

2. The Keyword Difficulty

Like we mentioned at the start, If we assume Ahrefs’ Keyword Difficulty (KD) scale is accurate, a keyword with a KD of 40 would likely require approximately 56 referring domains to break into the top 10 search results. However, other factors such as content quality, on-page optimization, and overall domain authority also play a role in rankings.

Harder keywords require more backlinks because they have more competition. If your site has a low Domain Authority (DA), target long-tail keywords with lower difficulty to rank with fewer links. Targeting the right keyword can help you rank with fewer backlinks.

Let’s take the keyword ‘link building’ as an example.

🔍 Example:

Link Building (KD: 88)

• The top-ranking pages have backlink counts ranging from 1,000 to 5,000.

• With referring domains ranging anywhere between 900-1900.

• It would take around 619 referring domains to rank in the top 10.

  

White Label Link Building (KD: 14)

• Has top-ranking pages with as low as 60 backlinks.

• Less referring domains, ranging anywhere between 10-50.

• Would need around 16 referring domains to rank in the top 10.

  

3. Backlinks That are Relevant

The source of a backlink matters just as much as the number of backlinks you acquire. Obtaining backlinks from reputable websites is crucial for SEO. Search engines prioritize links from relevant, authoritative websites within your industry over random or low-quality links. A single backlink from a trusted, niche-specific site can outweigh dozens of unrelated links.

🔍 Example:

• A health & wellness blog receives a backlink from a leading medical journal ➡️ High relevance, strong SEO impact.

• The same blog gets 10 backlinks from unrelated travel sites ➡️ Low relevance, minimal ranking benefit.

This highlights the importance of earning backlinks from authoritative sources within your niche, while ensuring your content is optimized for engagement and search visibility.

4. Optimizing Content with E-E-A-T

For better rankings and backlink potential, your content should be optimized for search engines and align with Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). High-quality, credible content is more likely to rank well and attract authoritative links.

🔑 Key Optimization Factors:

• Align with E-E-A-T – Demonstrate expertise, credibility, and trustworthiness.

• Keyword Optimization – Use relevant keywords naturally.

• Clear Structure – Organize content with proper headings and formatting.

• Internal Linking – Link to related content for better SEO and topic authority.

By following these best practices, your content becomes more valuable to both search engines and potential link sources.

5. The Link Velocity

Link velocity, the speed at which your site gains backlinks, plays a crucial role in SEO. A steady, natural growth of links signals credibility, while sudden spikes may appear manipulative to search engines.

🔑 Key Considerations:

• Consistency Over Speed – A gradual increase in backlinks looks more organic than a sudden surge.

• Avoid Spammy Growth – Rapid, unnatural link acquisition can trigger penalties.

• Align with Industry Norms – Link-building speed should match competitors in your niche.

• Diversify Your Sources – A mix of high-authority and niche-relevant links ensures a balanced profile.

For a deeper dive into best practices, check out our guide on mastering link velocity.

Final Summary: How Many Backlinks Do You Really Need?

The number of backlinks required to rank depends on multiple factors, including niche competitiveness, keyword difficulty, and the quality of referring domains. While high-authority backlinks carry more weight than sheer volume, a well-balanced link-building strategy is essential for sustainable growth. However, backlinks are not the only ranking factor in SEO; various criteria, including technical and on-page SEO factors, also influence how search engines, like Google, assess and rank websites.

To maximize your rankings:

• Analyze competitor backlink profiles to gauge industry benchmarks.

• Target relevant, high-authority backlinks over low-quality, spammy links.

• Optimize your content for E-E-A-T to enhance credibility and attract organic links.

• Maintain a natural link velocity to avoid search engine penalties.

Focusing on quality over quantity and aligning with SEO best practices, you can build a strong, authoritative backlink profile that improves your rankings and drives long-term success.

Building backlinks manually can be time-consuming. With Bazoom, you get access to authoritative, high-quality backlinks that improve your rankings—without the hassle.