Yes, backlinks remain a crucial factor in SEO. They act as “votes of confidence” from one website to another and can significantly influence a site’s authority and rankings. However, it’s not just about quantity; the quality of backlinks is far more important. Links from reputable, authoritative sites in your industry are more valuable than links from low-quality or unrelated sites. It’s also essential to earn backlinks naturally rather than using manipulative tactics, as the latter can lead to penalties from search engines.