Backlink Profile
The set of external sites linking to your store — a traditional authority signal that also contributes to AI citation worthiness.
What it means
Backlinks are links from other websites pointing to your store. Google uses them as votes of authority; AI systems also read them as credibility signals. A Shopify store with backlinks from relevant industry publications, partner brands, and media outlets is treated as more authoritative than one with no external links. Building backlinks remains valid for both traditional SEO and AEO, though the mechanism differs.
Why it matters for Shopify
Shopify merchants with strong backlink profiles benefit from both higher Google rankings and higher AI citation rates — the authority signals are correlated across both channels.