Google's Gary Illyes claim that links don't matter, I believe the focus should really be on the quality of links, not just their existence. Google aims to avoid spammy, low-value links. Here are three practical steps to ensure your links are valuable: 1. **Engage with Local Businesses**: Reach out to local businesses within your niche. Establishing a connection with these businesses can lead to mutually beneficial linking opportunities. 2. **Create Collaborative Content**: Write articles tailored for each business's website. This content should be informative and include backlinks that interlink among all participating websites. #backlinks #homeserviceSEO #backlinksforwebsites #backlinkseo #tradesmanSEO #rankingongoogle 3. **Establish Guest Posts**: Once a relationship is established, propose writing a guest post for these sites. This not only enhances content diversity but also strengthens link integrity by connecting relevant sites in your niche. By focusing on these strategies, you can contribute positively to your website’s link profile and improve its ranking on Google.