Do you ever feel like SEO is a never-ending puzzle? Just when you think you have cracked the code, a search engine throws in a new rule. Yandex is no different. If you are trying to rank in Russia, backlinks still matter—but not the way they do on Google. Yandex cares more about trust, relevance, and authenticity. Low-quality links won’t just fail—they could backfire. So, how do you build backlinks that actually work? Let’s break it down.
Russian Domains Matter—A Lot
Imagine you’re in Moscow looking for the best coffee shop. Who would you trust more—a Russian local or a random tourist? Yandex thinks the same way. Links from Russian websites carry way more weight than international ones. Here is how to get them.
- Get listed in Russian business directories.
- Connect with local bloggers and influencers.
- Pitch guest posts to Russian industry websites.
If your website is in English, don’t worry—just make sure it has strong Russian relevance.
Yandex Hates Spam—So Should You
Did you ever get a sketchy DM promising “100 backlinks for $10”? Yandex sees right through that. Paid links, link farms, and aggressive anchor text tricks won’t just fail—they’ll get you penalized. Here is what actually works for Yandex SEO.
- Earning mentions from legit Russian media outlets.
- Writing guest posts for blogs with real audiences.
- Getting citations from respected sources (think universities, government sites).
Content That Earns Links is Important
Picture this: You write a killer blog post. It’s packed with value, insights, and unique data. People find it, love it, and naturally link to it. And it works—especially in Yandex.
To make this happen:
- Create deep-dive guides that Russian audiences actually need.
- Publish fresh research, surveys, or insider tips.
- Partner with Russian news sites to co-create valuable content.
Even interactive content—quizzes, tools, checklists—can generate organic links. Just make sure your content speaks to Russians, not just a global audience. A guide on “Navigating Moscow’s Metro” will do better than “Top 10 European Travel Tips.”
Social Proof Helps—More Than You Think
Yandex does not scan backlinks. It watches how people talk about your content online. If your blog post is blowing up on VK (Russia’s Facebook) or Telegram, Yandex takes notice.
How to use this to your advantage?
- Share content in active VK and Telegram groups.
- Join Russian forums like Pikabu or Yaplakal—engage, don’t just drop links.
- Encourage real conversations around your content (reviews, testimonials, discussions).
These links might not pass “traditional” SEO value, but they get real eyes on your content.
When to Disavow Bad Links?
Bad backlinks happen. Yandex has a disavow tool, but don’t go crazy with it. Unlike Google, Yandex doesn’t just ignore bad links—it gradually reduces their influence.
Before disavowing, you should:
- Try reaching out to site owners and ask for link removal.
- Disavow harmful links like spam directories as well as penalized domains.
Yandex might question your whole backlink profile if you have numerous disavowed links.
Conclusion
Yandex rewards trust, not tricks. It is important to focus on real as well as valuable backlinks from Russian websites. Create content worth linking to and engage with the Russian online community. Do that, and rankings will follow. It’s not magic—it is SEO done the right way.
