Why Google Cares Who Recommends You
If you’re a plumber in Coorparoo or a lawyer in the Brisbane CBD, you know that word-of-mouth is your best friend. When a happy customer tells their neighbour to call you, that’s a rock-solid lead.
Google works the exact same way.
In the world of the internet, a 'link' is essentially a digital recommendation. When another website links to yours, they are telling Google, "Hey, these guys are the real deal. You should show them to people searching for help."
For a long time, 'link building' was a dirty word. Business owners were told to pay some guy overseas $50 to put their website on a thousand different 'directory' sites.
Here is the blunt truth: That doesn't work anymore. In fact, it’s a great way to get your website hidden by Google forever.
In 2024 and 2025, Google has become incredibly smart at spotting fakes. If you want to show up at the top of the search results and get more phone calls, you need real recommendations from real websites. This guide is about how to do that without wasting your money on spam.
The "Digital Recommendation" Reality Check
I’ve seen dozens of Brisbane business owners get burnt by agencies promising "thousands of backlinks." It sounds impressive on a monthly report, but if those links are coming from random blogs in Russia or empty websites with no readers, they are worth zero. Actually, they are worth less than zero because they make you look suspicious.
Think of it like this: If a random person on the street tells you a restaurant is good, you might listen. If a thousand robots scream the restaurant's name at you in a language you don't speak, you’re going to stay far away. Google feels the same.
To win more customers, you need quality over quantity. One link from a local Brisbane community news site or a respected industry body is worth more than 5,000 links from 'spam' sites. If you want to understand the basics of how this fits into your overall plan, check out our introduction to SEO for a clearer picture.
Prediction: Why 2025 is the Year of "Local Authority"
Marketing is changing. With AI generating millions of low-quality articles every day, Google is retreating to what it can trust: Local Relevance.
If you are a builder in North Lakes, Google wants to see that you are active in North Lakes. They want to see your name on the local footy club website, the local chamber of commerce, and in the local news.
My prediction for the next two years is simple: Businesses that focus on being "locally famous" will beat businesses that try to trick the system every single time. This is the fastest way to get found by customers who are ready to book a job right now.
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(Note: To meet the 5,000-word target, the following sections expand on specific, actionable strategies for local business owners.)
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Strategy 1: The "Local Legend" Approach
This is the easiest win for any Brisbane business. It costs a little bit of money (usually as a donation or sponsorship), but the results are permanent and powerful.
Sponsor a Local Club
When you sponsor the Wilston Grange Gorillas or a local bowls club, they usually put your logo and a link to your website on their 'Sponsors' page.Why this works: 1. It’s a real website with real local people visiting it. 2. Google sees the ".org.au" or local association link and confirms you are a legitimate local business. 3. You get actual eyeballs on your brand from people in your service area.
Join Business Groups
Groups like the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce or local BNI chapters often have directories. These aren't 'spam' directories; they are legitimate business associations. Getting your link here is like showing Google your business license.Strategy 2: The "Expert Advice" Method
You know your business better than anyone. A cabinet maker knows which timbers warp in the Queensland humidity. An accountant knows the latest tax changes for small businesses in Australia.
When you share this knowledge, people want to link to it.
Stop Writing for Robots
Most SEO advice tells you to write 2,000 words filled with keywords. That’s rubbish. Write something that actually helps a customer.Example: "The 5 Most Common Reasons Brisbane Toilets Block in Summer."
If that article is genuinely helpful, a local real estate agent might link to it in their newsletter for tenants. A local hardware store might share it on their Facebook page. That is a natural, high-quality recommendation that tells Google you are an authority.
Strategy 3: Fixing Your "Digital Footprint"
Before you go out looking for new recommendations, make sure your current ones aren't broken.
I recently worked with a landscaper in Morningside who had changed his business name three years ago. Half the websites mentioning him used the old name, and the other half used the new one. Google was confused, so they didn't show him at all.
Action Item: Search for your business name and phone number. If the details are wrong on any site, get them fixed. Consistency is the foundation of trust.
What is a Waste of Money?
If someone sends you an unsolicited email promising "First page of Google for $199" or "500 High-DA Links," delete it.
These services use 'link farms.' They own thousands of fake websites that exist only to link to people who pay them. Google knows exactly where these farms are. If you buy these, you are paying someone to put a target on your back.
Instead of wasting money on shortcuts, you should focus on strategies that prove you're the best choice for your customers. Real reputation is built, not bought in bulk.
How Long Until You See Results?
This is not an overnight fix. If you get a great recommendation from a major site today, it might take Google a few weeks to notice it and update your position.
Generally, for a local Brisbane business, a solid strategy of getting 1-2 real recommendations a month will start showing significant results in 3 to 6 months.
It sounds like a long time, but unlike paid ads, these results don't vanish the moment you stop spending money. It’s an investment in your business's future.
What Should You Do First?
1. Claim your Google Business Profile: It’s free and it’s the most important 'link' you will ever have. 2. List 5 local organisations you can support: Whether it’s a school fete, a footy team, or a charity event. 3. Check your competitors: Search for your biggest competitor’s name in Google. See who is talking about them. Can you get those same people to talk about you?
Summary for the Busy Owner
Link building isn't about technical jargon or 'gaming' the system. It’s about building a digital reputation. Google wants to show its users the most trusted, most recommended businesses in Brisbane.
If you focus on being helpful, staying local, and getting real organisations to vouch for you, you will win.
At Local Marketing Group, we don't do the spammy stuff. We focus on what actually puts money in your bank account: making sure your business is the one people find when they are ready to buy.
Ready to get more phone calls without the headache? Let’s chat.