Introduction: Do Backlinks Still Matter in 2024?
Google has repeatedly said that backlinks are no longer among the top three ranking factors.
But a new study from Internet Marketing Ninjas shows a different side of the story — and it’s eye-opening.
If you’re wondering how to rank in Google’s top 10 positions, the data here is something you shouldn’t ignore.
Key Insights from the Study
The study analyzed Google’s top 10 search results for 200 commercial-intent keywords, reviewing 1,113 unique websites. Here's what they found:
Key Statistics:
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96% of websites in Google’s top 10 had 1,000+ backlinks from unique domains
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Only 0.3% had fewer than 100 backlinks
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Not a single website ranked in the top 10 with 50 or fewer backlinks
These stats clearly show a strong link (pun intended!) between backlinks and top search rankings.
Big Players Win Big: Amazon & Walmart
When it comes to dominating Google’s top 10 positions:
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Amazon ranked in the top 10 for 164 out of 200 keywords
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The next closest was Walmart, with just 57 keywords
That’s a huge gap — showing how powerful a strong backlink and brand presence can be.
My Personal Experience with Backlinks & SEO
When I launched my first blog, I focused almost entirely on content. I assumed, “If the content is great, it will rank.”
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
It wasn’t until I started building high-quality backlinks — through guest posting, collaborations, and forums — that I saw real results.
My traffic spiked, and for the first time, a few of my articles hit Google’s top 10 positions.
Moral of the story? Backlinks still matter — a lot.
Not All Backlinks Are Equal — Quality Over Quantity
The study also highlights that not all backlinks have the same value. So before you rush to build 1,000 links, consider these key variables:
What Makes a Backlink Valuable?
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The authority of the linking site (DA, traffic, relevance)
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Use of contextual anchor text
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Whether the link gets actual clicks or not
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How topically relevant the link is to your page
What About Local SEO?
The study also looked at local search performance.
On average, at least 164 unique domain backlinks were needed to rank in the top 10 for local search terms.
So even if you’re targeting your city or niche audience — you still need strong backlink support.
About the Study
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Conducted by: Internet Marketing Ninjas
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Keywords Analyzed: 200 commercial-intent search queries
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Websites Studied: 1,113 unique domains
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Read the full report here: Backlinks Google Study
Actionable Tips to Reach Google’s Top 10 Positions
Practical Steps to Build Powerful Backlinks:
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Focus on guest posting on authoritative blogs
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Use broken link building strategies
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Participate in relevant forums and communities
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Build relationships with industry influencers for natural backlinks
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Regularly update and re-promote your existing content
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I rank in Google’s top 10 positions without backlinks?
Very unlikely. The study shows that nearly all top-ranking sites have 1,000+ backlinks.
Q2: How do I get quality backlinks?
Use guest posting, digital PR, collaborations, and SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to discover backlink opportunities.
Q3: Are backlinks more important than content?
Both are critical. Great content brings users, but backlinks signal authority to Google. They work best together.
Q4: How many backlinks should I aim for initially?
Try to build at least 100–200 high-quality backlinks as a strong foundation — and scale from there.
Conclusion: Backlinks Are Still a Big Deal
Despite Google's evolving algorithm and messaging, backlinks remain one of the strongest signals for ranking in Google’s top 10 positions.
If you’re serious about SEO — don’t ignore them.
Build smart. Build naturally. And focus on value. That’s how you win in search.
Read More : How PR Can Win in AI Search
