When your website is populated in search results, how it ranks (ie. how high it is placed in the search results) depends on a number of factors, one major one being backlinks. Backlinks (also known as "inbound links", "incoming links" or "one-way links") are created when one website directly links or refers to another via a hyperlink. When Google ranks a website, these links are counted as "votes" toward your site's standings and they typically result in higher organic search engine rankings.
When an external website points to another, it is often thought of as a credible source, thereby increasing the linked-to site's ranking. Google has stated that even with all its changes to its algorithms, backlinks remain one of its top 3 ranking criteria.
That said, not just any old backlink will do. You can't just get any random website, or newly created website with no credibility to backlink and have it boost your rankings. Backlink sources should be credible and highly-ranked themselves. It is also helpful if their hyperlink text includes and links to target keywords.
Your link source should also be relevant to your website. For example, a pizza restaurant that links to a computer repair shop would have less credibility than a tech website linking to that same computer repair shop.
Finally, you'll want to create content that other websites want to link to. For example, a blog post, a video, a piece of software, a quiz or a survey are all great ways to entice other sites to link to yours. The hard work really lies in finding the credible sources you wish to link to yours and reaching out to the site owner with the opportunity to do so.
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