Introduction

Some backlinks hold more value than others, and .gov links are one of them. If you are wondering why these links are valuable and how to earn one for your website, read the article below.

What are .gov Backlinks?

.gov links refer to hyperlinks that end with the “.gov” domain extension. These domain extensions are reserved for government agencies and organizations that are highly credible and authoritative. Websites with a .gov domain are official government websites operated by various agencies and departments and are trustworthy sources of information related to government policies, programs, and services. Hence, when a website earns a .gov backlink, it is believed to be an equally trustworthy and credible information source in search engines' eyes.

3 Types of .gov Websites

Federal .gov links: These links are from websites that operate on the national level and have the highest authority and traffic—for example, the official website of the United States Federal Government. State .gov links: State .gov links belong to government entities working on the state level—for example, the official website of the state of California. Local .gov links: Local .gov links belong to entities that work on the local level, such as municipalities or counties—for example, the official website of New York City.

Why Do You Need Government Backlinks?

A .gov backlink signals search engines that the information on your website is credible and trustworthy. If you are lucky enough to earn a .gov backlink, your website will be highly ranked on the search engine results page, thus building the authority of your business.

How to Get .gov Links?

Unlike traditional link-building methods, .gov backlinks can’t be bought but have to be earned. However, you can improve your chances of earning a .gov link in the following ways:
    • Write about a government institution:
Government websites are always looking for ways to promote and spread their messages. So, writing high-quality and informative content about a government policy increases your chances of earning a backlink from their website.
    • Interview a government official: 
Another way to earn .gov links is to interview a government official and publish them as blog posts or podcasts. Even though this strategy doesn’t get you a gov backlink immediately, it does increase your chances and help build a valuable network.
    • Try finding broken links on Government websites:
A broken link usually leads to a 404 error page, and no web owner wants to have a broken backlink. You can identify such broken links on government websites and convince the officials to replace those links with yours.
    • Network with a Government Agency: 
Networking with a government agency and publishing blogs and content that will benefit their audience is a great way to earn backlinks from their websites.

Conclusion: 

A government backlink holds a lot of value in the eyes of search engines and helps improve your ranking. However, earning a backlink is complicated. Even though the points mentioned above enhance your chances of earning a link, you must be consistent with your efforts for a positive result.