Google sees a link to your website as an endorsement, which they usually are. Just as we weigh who it is who is doing the endorsing or critiquing, Google also considers the value of the website with the backlink to your site. An ‘important’ website passes more value in a link to your website than an unheard of site.
Do links from maps help your ranking?
Another no and yes answer. Generally Google does not regard links from website content the same as they do from directories and maps. Certainly they do not mean they same to the author of the website creating them.
Links from website content
When we as web surfers encounter a link to other website content, we usually understand from the context that the link will lead to:
- content which elaborates on the subject,
- examines the idea differently,
- or is authoritative lending credence to the author’s content.
Links from Google maps
Directories and maps also have links to other websites. These are not in place for the same reason as content links, and Google clearly differentiates between them. While that coveted link from Google or Bing Maps will not all by itself affect your website ranking, the traffic it generates to your website will.