How many backlinks do I need?
There is no universal number. The real answer depends on your keyword difficulty, your competitors’ referring domains, the strength of your page, and how well your content matches search intent. This page gives you a clean way to estimate and plan link velocity without pushing exact match anchors too hard. If you want help choosing the link type mix, start with backlink services or check link building packages.
Fast answer
A good first estimate is to look at the top 3 to 5 ranking pages for your target query and compare: referring domains, link types (guest posts, niche edits, editorial links), and how many links point to the exact page. Your goal is not to “match the biggest number”, your goal is to close the gap in a way that looks natural for your site.
The quickest method
- Step 1: Pull the top results and note referring domains to each ranking URL.
- Step 2: Check how many links point to the page, not just the domain home page.
- Step 3: Use a slow, steady link velocity plan, then adjust once you see movement.
What changes the number
Link needs rise when competition is strong, when the SERP is packed with trusted brands, or when your page is not the best match for the query. Link needs fall when your content is better than competitors, your internal linking is strong, and your page earns natural mentions.
Keyword intent and page match
If your page answers the query cleanly, fewer backlinks may be needed. If your page is “close but not it”, you can build links all month and still stall.
Competitor link profile
Look at competitor referring domains and anchor text distribution. A few editorial links can beat dozens of low fit links.
Internal links and site structure
Strong internal linking passes link equity to the page you want to rank. Weak internal linking forces you to “buy your way out” with external links.
Link attributes and context
Dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, and UGC matter for natural link profiles. The link context matters more than “sidebar” placements.
A simple estimate framework
Use this as a planning tool, then adjust based on what the SERP does after the first wave of links. Track referring domains and ranking movement, not just raw backlink count.
Example (easy math)
If competitor pages average 120 referring domains and your target page has 35, the gap is about 85. You rarely need to close the full gap in one shot. A typical first move is to push a controlled batch, then review.
- Start with the page: build direct-to-page backlinks, then support it with internal links.
- Use anchors that match intent: brand and URL anchors first, then topical and partial match anchors.
- Keep link velocity steady so it looks natural over time.
FAQ
Quick answers people ask before buying link building services.