Backlinks, or inbound links from other websites to yours, are crucial for SEO. They serve as a vote of confidence in your content, signaling to search engines that your site is reputable and valuable. To build high-quality backlinks, focus on creating exceptional content that others want to link to naturally. Additionally, engage in outreach to relevant websites in your industry, collaborate with influencers, and participate in community discussions. Quality backlinks from authoritative sources contribute significantly to improved search engine rankings.