Glossary
/
backlink
Backlink (inbound link): definition, SEO role for an online store, dofollow/nofollow differences, key netlinking points and errors to avoid.
Updated on
June 4, 2026
A backlink (inbound link) is a hyperlink placed on an external site that points to a page of your shop or website. For e-commerce SEO, backlinks remain a signal of popularity and trust in the eyes of search engines: they can strengthen a domain's authority, improve organic ranking, and generate qualified referral traffic, in addition to on-site content and technical e-commerce SEO.
Summary
Definition: backlink, internal link, outbound link
A backlink works like this: site A publishes a clickable link to a URL on site B (your product page, blog post, or homepage). Google and other search engines use these links, among other signals, to evaluate the relevance and reputation of pages.
Essential distinctions .
Several distinctions help avoid confusion. We must distinguish Backlink : (inbound) vs internal link : the backlink comes from another domain; the internal link connects two pages on your own site (internal linking). We must distinguish Backlink : vs outbound link (outbound) : you create an outbound link when you cite an external source; you receive a backlink when someone cites your site. We must distinguish Dofollow : vs nofollow / sponsored / ugc : a dofollow link classically transmits SEO "credit"; the attributes rel="nofollow", sponsored, or ugc indicate a different relationship to Google (Google treats them as hints, not absolute directives). We must distinguish Editorial backlink : vs artificial backlink : natural citation in an article vs massive purchasing of links or spam directories (risk of penalty).
In French SEO, we also talk about lien entrant (inbound link) or netlinking to refer to the strategy aimed at obtaining quality backlinks.
Why backlinks matter in e-commerce
A Shopify store well-optimized on-site (headings, speed, product pages) can rank for niche queries. Backlinks accelerate visibility for competitive queries.
In practice, several elements are worth keeping in mind. Domain Authority here refers to links from recognized sites that reinforce perceived credibility (domain authority, a third-party metric, not an official Google score). Organic Ranking here refers to product pages, categories, and blog guides that can gain positions on Google. Referral Traffic here refers to clicks from media, blogs, comparison sites, partners (indirect organic acquisition). Discovery here means crawlers follow links; a backlink helps index a new page faster. Brand Awareness here means mention in the press or by an influencer = marketing signal + SEO.
Backlinks do not replace a weak catalog or a slow site. Google prioritizes useful experience; links amplify an already solid foundation.
How to get backlinks
Common levers for an e-commerce brand.
In practice, several elements are worth keeping in mind. Linkable content here refers to guides, studies, comparisons, free tools (calculator, quiz). Press relations / Digital PR here refers to product launches, sector data. Partnerships here refers to suppliers, niche blogs, podcasts (link to your site). Supplier pages here refers to "where to buy" on the manufacturer's site. Affiliation and creators here refers to links from editorial content (affiliation). Guest blogging here refers to qualitative content: guest post on a relevant media outlet (not link farms).
Quality > quantity: a link from a specialized media outlet is better than 50 links from shady directories.
Backlinks and Shopify store
Shopify does not prevent backlinks: your domain (myshopify.com or custom domain) receives links just like any other site. Key technical points.
In practice, several elements are worth keeping in mind. Custom domain here means focusing backlinks on your brand.com, not on the myshopify.com URL (domain name). Clean URLs here means readable slugs on products and articles; avoid unnecessary redirection chains. Canonical link here means a reference URL per content piece to consolidate signals. Shopify Blog here means hosting linkable content on your domain (not just Medium or LinkedIn). Tracking here means Google Search Console (Links report), Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to analyze referring domains.
Important distinction: internal linking (links between product pages, categories, glossary, blog) is under your direct control and complements external backlinks. Both form a coherent link strategy (internal linking strategy).
Best practices and common mistakes
Aim for editorial links in content relevant to your sector.
Create before asking: useful resource, then targeted outreach.
Vary the anchor text: brand, naked URL, natural expressions; avoid exact-match over-optimization.
Mark sponsored links:
rel="sponsored"if paid link or sponsored partnership.Disavow if necessary: in case of a past spam campaign, Disavow Links tool (with caution).
Combine on-page SEO + content + links: sustainable approach.
Classic mistakes:
Buying backlink packages (violation of Google guidelines).
Registering in hundreds of low-quality directories.
Ignoring internal linking while obsessing over external links.
Targeting only the homepage: linking deep pages (guide, category) is often more effective.
Confusing link volume and third-party metrics with a ranking guarantee.
In brief
In practice, several key elements are worth noting. Backlink here refers to = an external link pointing to your site (inbound link). A SEO trust signal and source of referral traffic. Distinct from internal links; editorial quality is a priority. E-commerce: linkable content, PR, partnerships, custom Shopify domain. No purchasing links; complement with a solid internal linking structure.
Associated terms, FAQ, and going further
Associated Terms
In practice, several elements are worth keeping in mind. E-commerce SEO : framework including content, technical aspects, and backlinks. Domain authority : third-party metric related to link profile. Canonical link : consolidation of on-site signals. Customer acquisition : organic traffic driven by backlinks.
FAQ
Backlink and inbound link: same thing?
Yes. Backlink, inbound link, and inbound link refer to a link received from another website.
How many backlinks do you need to rank?
There is no magic number: it depends on the competition for the query, the quality of the links, and your content. A low-competition niche can rank with few links; a saturated market requires more authority.
Are nofollow links useless?
No. They can bring traffic, visibility, and profile diversity. Google can use them as hints to discover and evaluate links.
Is Shopify good for link building?
Shopify is neutral: what matters is your content, your custom domain, and your editorial strategy. See Shopify and SEO.
Going further
In practice, several elements are worth keeping in mind. Complete e-commerce SEO guide. Content marketing and SEO traffic. How SEO works in e-commerce. Increase organic traffic. What is e-commerce SEO? Back to the Qstomy e-commerce glossary.
Sources: Google Search Central (SEO Starter Guide), Google Search Central (Qualify outbound links).
Enzo
June 4, 2026
