Definition
Links remain a core ranking input, but the earning methods split cleanly: create citable assets (data reports, tools, definitive guides), do digital PR, and fix unlinked mentions - versus buying networks that eventually detonate.
Why it matters
One link from a publication your buyers read outweighs fifty directory spam links; relevance and authority of the source dominate raw counts.
Benchmarks
Velocity matters less than consistency - 5 relevant links monthly beats 200 junk once
All glossary terms