E-E-A-T vs. Backlinks: Which SEO Strategy is Actually Worth Your Money?

Roxane Pinault

You've seen the gurus on LinkedIn arguing. Let's cut through the noise and get to the real answer.

If you're a business owner trying to keep up with SEO, you've probably seen the debate raging on your LinkedIn feed. One expert will post a passionate take on how E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is the only thing that matters now. The next day, another will show a data study proving that backlinks are still the ultimate ranking factor.

It's confusing, and it leaves you wondering: "Where should I be spending my limited time and budget? Should I be writing endless blog posts or paying for links?"

As an SEO consultant, my honest take is this: it's not a case of one versus the other. The real question is how they work together, and which one you should prioritize based on your budget and business goals.

The Short Answer:

This isn't a competition. E-E-A-T and backlinks are two sides of the same coin. E-E-A-T is the foundation of a trustworthy, high-quality website. Backlinks are the powerful, external votes of confidence that prove your authority to Google. You need both for long-term success, but the one you focus on first depends entirely on your budget.

Let's Be Clear: What is E-E-A-T, Really?

E-E-A-T is not a direct, measurable ranking factor like site speed. It is a framework that Google uses to assess the credibility of your content. In short, it’s Google's way of asking:

Experience: Did a real person with first-hand experience create this content?
Expertise: Is the author an expert on this topic?
Authoritativeness: Is this website a go-to source in this industry?
Trustworthiness: Is this site secure, honest, and reliable?

Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines specify that pages without clear E-E-A-T will struggle to rank, even for less critical topics

Building your E-E-A-T is about creating genuinely helpful, expert-level content, showcasing clear author bios, and being transparent about who you are. It is the non-negotiable foundation of modern SEO.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Backlinks Are Still Vital

Despite what some "content is king" purists on LinkedIn might say, the data is undeniable. Large-scale studies in 2025 continue to show a strong, measurable correlation between the number of high-quality backlinks a page has and its ability to rank on the first page of Google.

Why? Because a backlink from a respected, relevant website is the single strongest signal to Google that your content is authoritative and trustworthy. It is an external endorsement—another expert vouching for your expertise.

The numbers don't lie:

A recent study analyzing 1,000,000 keywords found the correlation between Google rankings and the number of referring domains remains strong.
According to Backlinko, the #1 result in Google has, on average, 3.8 times more backlinks than positions #2–10.
85% of sites ranking on page 1 for competitive queries have over 1,000 backlinks from unique domains.

Debunking the Myths - Common Misconceptions

Myth 1: "E-E-A-T and Backlinks Are Completely Separate."

Reality: Google explicitly ties high-quality backlinks into the “Authoritativeness” and “Trustworthiness” pillars of E-E-A-T. Earning respected links is one of the strongest signals you are authoritative.

Myth 2: "Backlinks Don’t Matter Anymore—Just Focus on Content."

Reality: All serious, large-scale data studies from 2023–2025 confirm a robust, quantifiable correlation between quality backlinks and high rankings. Google algorithm updates only penalize spammy links, not quality, relevant ones.

Myth 3: "E-E-A-T Only Matters for 'Your Money or Your Life' (YMYL) Sites."

Reality: While it's absolutely critical for sensitive topics like health and finance, Google now applies the principles of E-E-A-T to evaluate the quality of all websites. Building trust is essential for every business.

**The Strategic Choice: What Should You Do?**

This is where my practical, "no-BS" advice comes in. The right strategy for your business depends on your budget.

If You Have a Limited Budget: Your primary focus should be on building your E-E-A-T. Pour your resources into creating the most helpful, in-depth, and expert content on your specific niche. This is a "content-first" approach that will build a powerful, long-term asset without a significant cash outlay.
If You Have a Healthy Budget: You should do both. Once your foundational E-E-A-T content is in place, you should strategically invest in earning high-quality backlinks. This is where you need to be realistic about the cost. Based on industry data for 2025, you should expect to pay:

$450 - $1,500 AUD ($300 - $1,000 USD) for a single, genuine backlink from a reputable, niche-relevant site.
$2,250 - $3,750+ AUD ($1,500 - $2,500+ USD) for a premium placement on a top-tier authority or news site.

Be very wary of any service offering links for less than $150 AUD; these are almost certainly from low-quality "link farms" and can do more harm than good. A single, high-quality link is a powerful investment that can significantly accelerate your results.

It's Not a Choice, It's a Sequence

Stop thinking of E-E-A-T and backlinks as a choice. Think of them as a sequence.

Start by building a foundation of genuinely helpful, expert-level content that demonstrates your E-E-A-T. This is your non-negotiable first step. Once that's in place, if your budget allows, you can amplify that authority and accelerate your growth by investing in a strategic, high-quality link-building campaign.

Final Verdict: It's Not a Choice, It's a Sequence

Stop thinking of E-E-A-T and backlinks as a choice. Think of them as a sequence.

Ready to Build a Strategy That Balances Both?

Navigating the complexities of content authority and backlink building is a challenge. If you're a small business owner who wants a clear, honest roadmap that is tailored to your specific budget and goals, I'm here to help.

Explore My Freelance SEO Services ›

FAQ

Your E-E-A-T vs. Backlinks Questions, Answered

Can I rank with great E-E-A-T alone, with no backlinks? In a low-competition niche, yes, it's possible. But in any competitive industry, you will almost certainly need at least a few high-quality backlinks to prove your authority and compete for the top spots.

Are all backlinks good for E-E-A-T? No. A link from a low-quality, irrelevant, or spammy website can actually hurt your trustworthiness in Google's eyes. Quality and relevance are far more important than quantity.

Does E-E-A-T only matter for "Your Money or Your Life" (YMYL) topics? While it's absolutely critical for sensitive topics like health and finance, Google now applies the principles of E-E-A-T to evaluate the quality of all websites. Building trust is essential for every business.

Should I contact bloggers to ask for backlinks? Yes, but not in the way most people think. You should absolutely not send mass, generic emails begging for a link—that's a fast track to being marked as spam and damaging your brand's reputation.

The effective, modern approach is to reframe the goal from "building links" to "building relationships."

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