Backlink · inbound link
A backlink (inbound link) is a link that points from another website to yours. Search engines read them as votes of confidence: the more numerous and higher-quality the links, the more your authority grows.
A concrete example
Example
A press article or a professional association's directory that points to your website passes on part of its authority.
Why it matters
Content alone is rarely enough to rank on competitive queries: quality backlinks often make the difference. A few relevant links beat dozens of dubious ones, which can get you penalized.