Is off-page SEO still worth it in 2026?

With all the Google updates lately, many people are questioning whether backlinks still matter or if we should fully focus on content and on-page optimization.
From my experience, off-page SEO is still very much alive but the game has changed. Quality over quantity is no longer just a suggestion, it's a necessity. Spammy links can hurt more than help, while niche-relevant, authoritative backlinks still move the needle significantly.
I'd love to hear from fellow BHW members:

Are you still actively building backlinks in 2026?
What strategies are working best for you right now?
Has your approach changed after the latest Google updates?

GalanticSEO said:

Is off-page SEO still worth it in 2026?

Click to expand...

Yes, especially in competitive niches.

But random bulk backlinks are much weaker, A few relevant, trusted links usually outperform hundreds of spammy ones.

Maxwell6780 said:

Off-page SEO is still very much alive in 2026. People who say backlinks don't matter anymore are usually the ones not building them. The game has changed for sure, but a solid link from a relevant site still makes a noticeable difference.

Ditching off-page entirely and banking only on content is a mistake I've seen many people regret

Click to expand...

yup that's right, but content is still king