If you’re trying to improve your website’s visibility, understanding the different types of backlinks is a must.
Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors in SEO, but not every backlink is created equal.
In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll learn what backlinks are, how they work, and which types can actually improve your rankings. I’ll also share a few proven strategies that I use as an SEO Expert to build high-quality links safely.
Top 20+ Types of Backlinks
Here are all the types of backlinks:
- Dofollow Backlinks
- Nofollow Backlinks
- UGC (User-Generated Content) Backlinks
- Sponsored Backlinks
- Editorial Backlinks
- Guest Post Backlinks
- Comment Backlinks
- Forum Backlinks
- Profile Backlinks
- Social Media Backlinks
- Web 2.0 Backlinks
- HARO Backlinks
- Edu/Gov Backlinks
- Niche Edit Backlinks
- Local Citation Backlinks
- Directory Submission Backlinks
- Image Backlinks
- Infographic Backlinks
- Press Release Backlinks
- PBN (Private Blog Network) Backlinks
- Broken Link Building Backlinks
- Contextual Backlinks
- Footer Backlinks
- Sidebar Backlinks
What Are Backlinks?
A backlink is a link from one website to another, like a digital recommendation.
When a trusted site links to your content, Google treats it as a vote of confidence, signaling that your page is credible and worth ranking.
Backlinks are also called inbound links or incoming links, and they help search engines understand how valuable your website is within your niche.
Main Categories of Backlinks
There are two main categories of backlinks:
- Dofollow backlinks
- Nofollow backlinks
Importance of Backlinks
- Improved search engine rankings
- Increased organic traffic
- Enhanced website authority
- Faster indexing of new content
- Referral traffic from linked sites
How Backlinks Work
When a website links to your content, it’s essentially telling search engines that your page is worth citing. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely search engines are to view your site as authoritative and relevant. This, in turn, can lead to higher rankings in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Now that you have a clear understanding of what backlinks are, let’s explore why they are important for your website’s success in the digital landscape.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Google uses backlinks as one of the top three ranking factors. The more high-quality sites that link to you, the higher your chances of ranking.
Backlinks help you:
- Improve rankings
- Increase organic traffic
- Build domain authority
- Get pages indexed faster
- Drive referral visitors
Impact on Search Engine Rankings
Backlinks serve as “votes of confidence” from other websites, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website is likely to rank in search results.
Driving Organic Traffic
Quality backlinks from reputable websites can significantly increase your organic traffic. When users encounter links to your site on other platforms they trust, they’re more likely to click through and explore your content.
Building Domain Authority
Backlinks contribute to your website’s overall authority in the eyes of search engines. As you accumulate more high-quality backlinks, your domain authority grows, making it easier for your content to rank for competitive keywords.
Now that I understand the importance of backlinks, let’s explore the different types and how they can benefit your SEO strategy.
What are Dofollow Backlinks?
Dofollow backlinks are backlinks that transfer SEO value, or link juice, from one site to another. When a high-authority website links to your site using a dofollow link, it informs search engines that your content is valuable and credible, increasing your site’s ranking potential. Dofollow links are essential for SEO and contribute to enhancing a website’s domain authority.
What Are Nofollow Backlinks?
Nofollow links contain a rel=”nofollow” tag in the HTML, which tells search engines to not pass link juice. No-follow links do not help rankings directly but can still generate referral traffic and build brand recognition. No-follow links are frequently seen on blog comments, forums, and social media.
9 Main Types of Backlinks (With Examples)
Editorial Backlinks
Editorial backlinks come naturally when your content is valuable and cited by other websites. These links usually appear in high-quality articles, blog posts, or news pieces.
Backlinks From Guest Blogging
Guest blogging allows you to contribute content to another website in exchange for a backlink. It’s an effective strategy to build authority and drive targeted traffic.
Links in Social Media Posts
While most social media backlinks are nofollow, they can still drive significant referral traffic and increase your content’s visibility.
Referral Backlinks (Referral Domains)
These are backlinks that come from third-party websites, directing users to your site. A strong network of referral domains enhances credibility and SEO performance.
Forum Backlinks
Forum backlinks come from discussion boards and online communities where users share links in posts or signatures. These links can drive traffic and engagement if used naturally in relevant discussions. However, excessive or spammy forum backlinks can harm SEO and should be avoided.
Business Profile Backlinks
These backlinks come from listing your business on platforms like Google My Business, Yelp, and industry directories. They enhance credibility, improve local SEO, and drive targeted traffic.
Webinar and Event Backlinks
Hosting or participating in webinars and events can earn backlinks from event pages, sponsors, and attendees. These links boost authority, increase engagement, and drive organic traffic.
Infographic Backlinks
High-quality infographics attract backlinks when shared by other websites. Creating visually appealing and informative infographics helps in gaining organic links from bloggers, news sites, and social media.
Resource Page Backlinks
Websites often compile helpful resources in specific niches. If your content is valuable, you can earn a backlink from these pages, improving your website’s authority and search rankings.
How to Analyze Backlinks?
Analyzing backlinks helps determine their quality and impact on your SEO. Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to check:
- Domain authority of linking sites
- Link relevance to your niche
- Anchor text distribution
- Presence of spammy or toxic links
Best Kind of Backlinks
The best backlinks are those that come from authoritative, relevant, and trustworthy sources. They should be natural and earned through quality content rather than paid or manipulative link-building tactics.
Which Backlinks Should You Avoid?
Not every backlink is good for SEO. Avoid:
- Domains with high spam score
- Paid or spammy links
- Irrelevant directory submissions
- Low-quality forum links
What Types of Backlinks Are Valuable?
Backlinks Coming from Trusted, Authoritative Websites: Links from high-authority domains like Forbes, HubSpot, or industry-specific leaders boost credibility and rankings.
Link’s Anchor Text Includes Your Target Keywords: Anchor text should be relevant to your content and include keywords naturally to enhance SEO benefits.
A Relevant Site Links to Yours: Backlinks from related niches are more valuable than links from unrelated industries.
It is a “Dofollow” Link: Dofollow links transfer link juice, helping improve rankings, whereas nofollow links do not.
Links from a Domain That Hasn’t Previously Linked to You: New backlinks from diverse domains are more effective than multiple links from the same source.
Best Practices for Building Backlinks
Create a Linkable Asset: Develop high-quality content, such as guides, infographics, or case studies, that others naturally want to link to.
Build Backlinks from Link Roundups: Find websites that publish link roundups in your industry and pitch your content for inclusion.
Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on other sites and suggest your relevant content as a replacement.
Reverse Engineer Your Competitor’s Backlinks: Use SEO tools to analyze competitor backlinks and replicate their successful strategies.
Advanced Tip:
Before creating the backlinks, you have to find the bugs on your website, perform a competitor analysis to find better opportunities, start keyword research, and then start on-page, off-page, and technical SEO optimization.
A backlink is a hyperlink from another website to yours. For example, if Forbes links to your blog post, that’s a backlink.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are the most important types of backlinks for SEO?
The most important backlinks are dofollow backlinks from high-authority, relevant websites. These links pass link juice and directly improve your site’s authority and ranking in search results.
Q2. Do nofollow backlinks help improve SEO rankings?
Nofollow backlinks don’t pass link juice directly, but they still help build traffic, brand awareness, and a natural backlink profile, which Google prefers for healthy link diversity.
Q3. How can I identify high-quality backlinks?
High-quality backlinks usually come from authoritative websites, are relevant to your niche, have natural anchor text, and are placed within valuable, context-rich content.
Q4. Which backlinks should I avoid for SEO?
Avoid spammy, irrelevant, or paid backlinks. Links from low-quality directories, comment spam, or sites with a high spam score can harm your site’s trust and ranking.
Q5. How many backlinks should I build per month?
There’s no fixed number. Focus on earning 5–10 high-quality backlinks monthly from trusted websites rather than hundreds of low-quality links. Quality always wins in SEO.
Q6. What’s the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
Dofollow backlinks pass SEO value (link juice) and directly impact rankings, while nofollow backlinks do not. However, both are essential for a natural backlink profile.
Q7. How do I check my backlinks?
You can check your backlinks using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz. These tools show who’s linking to your site and help identify toxic or low-quality links.
Q8. What are contextual backlinks, and why are they valuable?
Contextual backlinks are links placed within relevant content, such as blog posts or articles. Google values these links more because they provide real context and genuine relevance.
Q9. Can I build backlinks for free?
Yes. You can build backlinks for free through guest posting, profile submissions, HARO (Help a Reporter Out), blog comments, and by creating shareable content like infographics.
Q10. How long does it take to see results from backlinks?
Typically, you may start seeing improvements in 3–6 months, depending on competition, website authority, and the quality of backlinks you’ve earned.
Conclusion
Backlinks remain the backbone of every successful SEO strategy. By focusing on high-quality, relevant, and natural backlinks, you can increase your visibility and authority faster.
If you’re looking for a reliable SEO professional who can help build quality backlinks for your website, feel free to contact me here. Let’s take your website rankings to the next level.
