The way we search for things online has been changing significantly in the last few years. Instead of focusing on traditional searches like in the past, many people have switched to AI searches. This has also been a big shift for businesses and websites, as they had to switch to a linkless SEO strategy.
However, there are confusions surrounding backlinks and their relevance in the future. With different search habits and SEO needs coming into play, it’s not clear whether backlinks will still have a positive effect in 2026. Should you still use backlinks in this day and age? Keep reading to find out.
Do Backlinks Still Matter in 2026?
One of the most common questions that companies and websites have when it comes to backlinking is “Do backlinks still matter in 2026?” The short answer is yes, backlinks are still relevant in 2026. If you want to build more authority and trust and stand out in search results, backlinks shouldn’t be ignored.
However, backlinks work a bit differently today. They have an impact on traditional search rankings, as well as visibility for AI search. Semrush discovered that 8 out of the top 20 organic ranking factors were related to backlinks. Also, high-quality links are still integral when it comes to improving search rankings, according to research.
But instead of focusing on backlinks alone, sites now have to implement other SEO methods to make sure they get the traffic they desire. Artificial intelligence has changed the game.
Why Do So Many People Think Backlinks Don’t Matter Anymore?
A few things caused confusion regarding the importance of backlinks in today’s landscape. Marketers were left not knowing what to do moving forward, and many people ended up thinking that backlinks would not be that relevant moving forward.
For example, Google keeps changing its official information regarding backlinks. In early 2025, the search engine giant removed the word “important” from its documents. Links were reduced to a “signal” rather than remaining an “important signal.”
Gary Illyes from Google also created some confusion at SERPCon 2024 when he said that sites “need very few links to rank pages”. Apparently, Illyes said that links were made to be less important over the years. Upon seeing the public reaction, he tried to backtrack, but it was already too late.
SEO industry publishers were already talking about this everywhere. Information spread quickly, causing marketers to think that they do not need to focus on backlinks anymore.
But there were also several leaked internal documents back in 2025 that said backlinks are still essential for rankings. To analyze backlink profiles, Google takes advantage of SiteAuthority and similar metrics.
The Impact of Backlinks on AI Search Visibility
While AI tools have changed the landscape and made companies focus on linkless SEO more, backlinks are not going anywhere. They are still relevant in their own way. If you’re looking to increase your AI search and Google AI Overviews visibility, then you still need to use high-quality backlinks.
The main reason for this is that good backlinks can improve your organic rankings, which then increase citations for the AI Overview. These citations mean more visibility for your brand, which in turn can bring you even more backlinks.
Google likes to include AI overviews from pages that already have good organic rankings. The better your links are, the more trustworthy your site becomes. This domain authority gives you the upper hand, making it more likely for you to get those Google AI Overview citations.
Backlinks vs Brand Mentions – Which One Provides the Better Value?
Although backlinks are still crucial to rank highly on Google and get AI search visibility, many SEO experts know that brand mentions are also essential. Today, the brand mentions ranking factor has taken the spotlight, particularly when it’s considered alongside the surrounding context.
Ahrefs has found that brand mentions can lead to more AI visibility. They have a 0.664 correlation with AI search visibility, while backlinks only have a 0.218 correlation. These conclusions were made after analyzing 75,000 brands.
How to Best Approach Backlinks in an AI-Driven World?
One of the best ways to survive the rise of linkless SEO is to have a mixed strategy. Rather than focusing on just backlinks or just brand mentions, you should consider a hybrid approach.
In other words, don’t give up on building high-quality links. Both AI platforms and Google will take them as a sign that you are a high authority in your niche. Then, prove that you are trustworthy. Add things like credentials and author bios. Don’t hesitate to cite reliable sources either. When choosing what sources to cite from, AI engines consider this aspect.
Also, structure your content for AI as well. AI likes direct answers and solutions. Use FAQs, schema markup, and Q&A sections. This way, the AI system will be able to cite your answers.
What Makes Backlinking Valuable in 2026?
If you are going to mix your linkless ranking signals with backlinks, you still need to make sure you do it right. While backlinks can help tremendously for rankings and AI citations, some backlinks may do more harm than good.
You need to think about the current situation and about Google’s algorithms to use the best strategy. Here are some of the best tips to help you make backlinks count in 2026:
Place Your Backlinks Naturally
You don’t just need to obtain backlinks. You need to place them carefully as well. The placement of your links has a huge impact on your authority and rankings. For instance, sidebar or footer links won’t have the same success that incorporated links do. This is why you should pay attention to your editorial placement.
Get Links from High-Authority Sources
Backlinks need to come from a trustworthy source with a lot of authority in your industry if you want to see positive results. Today, SEO looks past typical domain authority metrics, though. It takes a look at citation patterns, reference quality, author credentials and expertise, page-level relevance and authority, content quality, and editorial standards.
Therefore, links from reliable sources will do better than those from less trusted sites.
Backlinks from Relevant Pages
You cannot just add backlinks from any source you find. To make an impact on your rankings and citations, your backlinks must come from pages related to your content. If the link is unrelated to what you do or offer, Google won’t even look at it.
For instance, if your site’s topic is pet toys, you cannot start linking to vape pens. It’s not what people would come to your page for, and it could harm your rankings.
Consider Digital PR
One of the best ways to secure high-quality backlinks is via digital PR. This form of PR can also help you get brand mentions, which will boost your chances of being cited by AI systems.
If you provide something relevant, then you can get coverage from big publications. Securing good high-authority editorial links is a good way to show that you are trusted by reputable news sources. Google and AI search engines will then be more likely to cite from your content.
Make Linkable Assets
Another thing to take into account is creating linkable assets. You could start publishing industry analysis or surveys. Your findings may get referenced by other websites, which is a good way to show your expertise and offer more value.
This is also a good opportunity to get more links. Over time, you accumulate a whole group of links, which will turn into your go-to references in your respective niche.
Consider GEO-Focused Link Building
Unlike traditional link building, Generative Engine Optimization uses a different strategy. Basically, AI systems prioritize content that has powerful authority clusters. You can get high-quality links from expert sources to appeal to AI Search. A good way to do this is by building contextual links from sites already trusted by AI platforms.
FAQs
Can Backlinks Help You Get More ChatGPT and AI Search Visibility?
Yes, they can. High-quality backlinks improve your organic rankings and help you stand out. The more trustworthy you are, the more likely you are to get cited by the AI systems. Content from high-authority platforms is prioritized by Perplexity and ChatGPT.
Are Backlinks Still Relevant for SEO?
Even though the market has changed a lot over the years, backlinks are still one of the main ranking factors for search engines in 2026. They can not only impact your rankings but may also improve your AI search visibility.
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting AI Citations?
The best way to boost your AI citation odds is to combine old and new methods. While trying to get more quality backlinks, make sure to show your credibility and optimize your content for AI.
Final Thoughts
While the SEO era has become more linkless, backlinks are still relevant. With the right links, you can increase your AI search visibility and thus appear in Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT searches. Make sure to take a hybrid approach and optimize content for AI at the same time to boost your chances.