Dofollow Digest #9 [New Data] Quality links massively trump quantity

Hey, it’s Eric 👋

Found some great data you’ll want to hear about — but here’s the gist: link building isn't just still relevant in 2025 – it's more important than ever.

New research from Backlinko confirms what we've been seeing in the trenches. I'll break down the numbers below, but here's the headline: quality over quantity isn't just a saying anymore; it's becoming the industry consensus.

Speaking of quality, I'm stoked to announce our first AMA session of 2025. I'll be talking with Irina Maltseva from Aura about driving real revenue (not just rankings) with SEO and link building. More on that at the bottom.

🔗 LINK ROUNDUP

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• Using Gemini to get insight into Your E-E-A-T

🔍 DEEP DIVE: [New Data] Quality links massively trump quantity

Sometimes the most important discoveries are the ones that confirm what we already knew. New data from Backlinko reveals two critical insights about link building in 2025:

1. Links remain a cornerstone. Among Google's 200+ ranking factors, backlinks remain one of the most significant. The correlation between ranking and referring domains remains as strong as ever.

2. The industry agrees on quality. An overwhelming 94% of link builders believe that quality matters more than quantity. This isn't just opinion – it's become industry consensus.

This validates what we've seen consistently with our SaaS clients: a single high-quality link from a relevant industry publication often outperforms dozens of mediocre links.

We're talking about links that don't just pass authority – they drive qualified traffic, establish credibility with your target audience, and create genuine business opportunities.

But here's what's interesting: while most link builders agree on the importance of quality, relatively few actually build their entire service around it.

Many still fall back on bulk outreach and questionable tactics because, let's be honest, building genuinely great links at scale is hard. It requires real relationships, deep industry knowledge, and the patience to play the long game.

This is exactly why we've doubled down on our "quality-first" approach. When you build real relationships with publishers and focus on genuine value, you're not just building links – you're building lasting authority that holds up through algorithm updates and industry changes.

What does this mean for SaaS companies in 2025? First, it's time to stop chasing arbitrary link quotas. Instead, focus on building a link profile that actually reflects your company's expertise and market position.

The best links aren't just backlinks – they're partnerships, relationships, and opportunities that extend far beyond the initial SEO value. In our experience, these are the links that continue delivering value long after they're built, driving not just rankings but real business results.

🎯 JOIN US: Your Questions Answered

Speaking of building lasting authority – got questions about SEO and link building for 2025? Join me and SEO expert Irina Maltseva (Aura) for a live AMA session on February 4th at 11 AM EST.

We'll cover:

• How SEO is changing in 2025 (and how to stay ahead)

• Link building tactics that actually work today

• Best SEO strategies for profitable lead generation

→ Save your spot: https://trydofollow.io/webinar

‘Til next time,

Eric