How Link Building Supercharges EEAT Authoritativeness for SEO Success

So, you’ve built an incredible website, packed it with high-quality content, and optimized every keyword down to the last pixel. But your traffic? Stuck in neutral. Why? Because in the eyes of Google, your website isn’t authoritative enough.

In 2025, EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) isn’t just a buzzword—it’s Google’s touchstone for evaluating content quality. 

Whether you’re an SEO expert aiming to boost rankings or a business owner striving for greater online visibility, mastering the “A” in EEAT could be your secret weapon.

So, how do you make Google view your website as a trusted authority? The answer lies in link building, one of the most powerful yet often misunderstood tools in SEO.

At Mavlers, we have deployed our collective acumen of 12+ years of SEO experience and expertise in helping clients rank organically in their respective realms. 

In this blog, our in-house SEO expert, Shashikant Mane, will help you explore how strategic link building can elevate your website’s Authoritativeness, why it’s essential, and the steps you can take to win over Google—and your audience.

Table of contents

• Understanding the concept of EEAT
• What is authoritativeness in EEAT? Why does it matter?
• How link building powers authoritativeness in EEAT
• Proven link-building strategies to amplify authoritativeness
• Common link-building mistakes to avoid

Stick around because this isn’t just another SEO theory piece; it’s your blueprint to tangible results.

Understanding EEAT: Building trust, step by step

With overflowing content left, right, and center, EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) acts as Google’s ultimate framework to filter the noise and deliver only the most reliable and valuable information to users. 

Google uses this concept to evaluate a website’s quality and reliability, especially when ranking content. It’s part of Google’s Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines, which human evaluators use to assess whether a page or website meets Google’s standards for content quality.

At its core, EEAT is about one thing: trust.

When someone searches for answers, Google doesn’t just want to provide the right answers—it wants those answers to come from credible, knowledgeable, and safe sources. To achieve this, Google evaluates websites using EEAT’s four intertwined pillars:

1. Experience:

Experience is reflective of the fact that the content creator has first-hand knowledge or practical expertise in the subject matter. 

This is especially pertinent for topics where lived experiences lend authenticity and relatability.

Here’s why it matters: Users trust insights from those who’ve been there and done that. It’s one thing to describe a process; it’s another to demonstrate familiarity through actual experience.

For instance, a travel blog written by someone who has visited 50+ countries. Their content goes beyond generic facts available across the internet, offering genuine tips on hidden gems or cultural nuances that only a seasoned traveler would know.

Here’s how Google measures experience: Signals such as anecdotal details, original photography, or real-life examples embedded in the content help Google detect experience.

2. Expertise:

Expertise focuses on whether the content creator has the required formal education, certifications, or deep domain knowledge. 

It’s about ensuring the information presented is accurate, honest, comprehensive, and written by a true authority on the subject.

Check out why it matters: Users feel confident when consuming information written by a verified expert, especially for sensitive topics like health, finance, or law.

For instance, a legal guide explaining contracts authored by a licensed attorney. Readers trust this content because it’s backed by years of professional practice and industry recognition.

Here’s how Google measures expertise: By looking for indicators like author bios, linked qualifications, citations of industry standards, or endorsements from reputable organizations.

3. Authoritativeness: 

Authoritativeness is a reflection of how others view and recognize your expertise. It’s not enough to know your stuff—you need to be acknowledged as a trusted leader in your field.

Wondering why it matters? Well, here’s why: Authority builds influence. If your work is widely cited or linked by other authoritative voices, it amplifies your credibility in the eyes of both Google and its users.

For example, a health blog frequently referenced by renowned medical institutions or featured in major publications like WebMD or Mayo Clinic.

Here’s an insight into how Google measures it: Backlinks from high-authority domains, brand mentions in reputable publications, and a strong online presence within your niche all boost your perceived authority.

4. Trustworthiness:

Trustworthiness is the foundation of EEAT. Even the most experienced and authoritative content will fail without reliability, transparency, and security.

Here’s why It matters for Google and should matter for you, too: Users won’t engage with sites that feel unsafe or deceptive. Trust ensures that users feel comfortable relying on your content, whether reading a blog or purchasing.

For instance, an e-commerce site with HTTPS encryption, clear return policies, and verified customer reviews builds trust with both users and search engines.

Here’s how Google measures it: Secure browsing (HTTPS), transparent disclosures (e.g., affiliate partnerships), privacy policies, and consistently accurate information signal trustworthiness to Google.

Why authoritativeness holds the key

Among the four pillars, authoritativeness can be considered the glue that binds them together. 

Experience and expertise build your foundation, but it’s authoritativeness that turns you into a go-to resource. Without authority, even the most knowledgeable content risks being overlooked.

You may proceed to think of it this way:

• Experience is what you know.

• Expertise is how deeply you know it.

• Trustworthiness ensures you’re reliable.

• However, authoritativeness ensures that others recognize your value and vouch for you.

For instance, a nutritionist who writes a well-researched blog may showcase their experience and expertise. However, if that blog is linked by respected health sites like Healthline or Harvard Medical School, it elevates its Authoritativeness, making Google far more likely to prioritize its content over competitors.

By strategically excelling across these pillars, your site can become the authoritative voice your audience—and Google—trusts.

How link building powers authoritativeness in EEAT

Link building isn’t restricted to generating traffic or boosting domain authority. It’s about crafting a digital endorsement system where trusted sites vouch for your credibility.

1. Reputation and credibility

Every backlink you gather from a reputable site tells Google that this website is worthy of the user’s trust.

For example, if you manage to get a backlink from Harvard.edu to your research article, it signals unparalleled credibility in your niche.

2. Higher rankings

Authoritative links help you climb SERPs. 

Wondering why? Because Google sees these links as endorsements that bear testimony to your site’s expertise.

3. Trust signals

Backlinks from more trustworthy domains (such as., .edu, .gov, or industry-specific leaders) reassure both users and search engines that your content is reliable.

But here’s the catch: not all links are created equal. That’s where strategy comes into play.

Wondering why link building is non-negotiable for authoritativeness?

Link building is authoritativeness’s lifeblood because it provides external validation. No matter how great your content is, Google has little reason to rank you over competitors without credible websites linking to it.

Here’s an insight into what makes a backlink valuable;

• Relevance: A link from a related niche carries far more weight than a random, unrelated site.

• Authority: The higher the domain authority of the linking site, the greater the SEO impact.

• Natural placement: Organic, non-manipulated links are golden in Google’s eyes.

In short, a single link from a respected source can outweigh dozens of links from mediocre sites.

Proven link-building strategies to amplify authoritativeness

At Mavlers, we specialize in ethical, results-driven link-building strategies. Here’s how you can do it too:

1. PR link building

Public relations isn’t just for traditional media—it’s a goldmine for backlinks.

Begin with creating newsworthy content (e.g., industry reports or viral campaigns).

Then, proceed to pitch it to journalists and publications in your specific niche.

The end result might culminate in high-authority backlinks from major news outlets.

2. Guest posting

Contribute high-value articles to respected industry blogs. Ensure the content aligns with the host site’s audience, and include a natural link to your website.

3. Brand mentions

Using tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo, identify unlinked mentions of your brand. Consider contacting the site and requesting a link.

4. Resource link building

Invest in developing evergreen content, such as comprehensive guides, infographics, interactive tools, etc.

These assets naturally attract backlinks from others, citing your work as a resource.

Common link-building mistakes to avoid

While link building can turn the tables for your authoritativeness, it needs to be done right. 

The road to success is littered with pitfalls that can tank your efforts faster than you’d think. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Buying links or joining link farms

While it’s tempting to take shortcuts, especially when you see offers promising hundreds of backlinks for quite a low cost. 

But here’s what the reality looks like: Google doesn’t reward cheaters. 

Paid links or links from shady link farms are red flags that can lead to penalties or even tank your rankings.

These links often come from spammy, irrelevant sites that add no real value to your content. Plus, Google’s algorithms are now smart enough to detect unnatural link patterns.

For instance, imagine a tech blog suddenly getting hundreds of links from irrelevant coupon websites. It doesn’t take a genius (or Google’s algorithm) to see something’s fishy.

2. Ignoring relevance

Not all backlinks are created equal. A backlink from a high-authority site sounds great—until you realize it’s completely irrelevant to your niche. For link-building to enhance your Authoritativeness, context matters.

It’s important to know that a backlink only adds value if it makes sense in the context of your content. Links from unrelated sites don’t pass meaningful/relevant authority and can even confuse Google about your niche.

For instance, a fitness website getting a link from a high-authority fashion blog might seem like a win, but in reality, it won’t move the needle for SEO. 

Instead, a link from a well-known health and wellness site carries far more weight.

3. Low-quality content

Let’s face it: No one wants to link to boring, poorly written, or outdated content. Without compelling, value-driven content, even the most aggressive link-building strategies are doomed to fail.

Backlinks are like votes of confidence. Why would anyone recommend it if your content doesn’t offer anything worth linking to?

For example, a blog post riddled with grammatical errors and shallow insights isn’t going to earn links from reputable sites. On the other hand, an in-depth guide packed with actionable tips will naturally attract links.

The road ahead

It’s important to note that link-building is more than a ranking tactic—it’s a credibility tool. By earning high-quality, contextually relevant backlinks, you can establish your site as an authority that Google and its users trust.

We now suggest reading ~ Organic Traffic vs. Referral Traffic: Which Is More Valuable for Your SEO Strategy?