The 10+ Types of Backlinks in SEO

by Magnus Løv Schmidt | May 16, 2025 | SEO

Table of Contents

There are a ton of different types of backlinks out there. But how do you know what is what? Let me guide you through the most essential ones in SEO.

When another website links to yours, they’re essentially saying, “This content is valuable enough to share with my audience.” But not all of these digital endorsements are created equal.

Think of backlinks as recommendations from friends. A recommendation from your closest friend who knows exactly what you like carries more weight than a casual acquaintance suggesting something random. In the same way, a high-quality backlink from an authoritative, relevant website holds significantly more value than a random link from an unrelated source.

We’ve spent years perfecting our link building strategies and have discovered that understanding the various types of backlinks is crucial for developing an effective SEO strategy. Here’s what you need to know about the power of backlinks:

Backlinks remain Google’s top ranking factor in 2025
Quality links from trusted sites can boost your rankings significantly faster than low-quality links
Just one high authority backlink can sometimes outperform dozens of lower-quality links
Different backlink types serve different purposes in your SEO strategy
Even with AI advancements, backlinks continue to be critical for establishing site credibility

The question isn’t whether you need backlinks—it’s which types will deliver the best results for your specific situation. Let’s explore that now.

The 4 Core Backlink Attributes You Need to Understand

Before diving into specific backlink types, let’s establish a foundational understanding of the technical attributes that define how search engines interpret links.

Dofollow Backlinks: The Gold Standard

Dofollow backlinks are the standard type of link that passes along SEO value (often called “link juice”). These links instruct search engines to follow the link to your site and consider it as a positive ranking signal.

When The New York Times links to your site with a dofollow link, they’re effectively transferring some of their immense domain authority to you. This is why a single dofollow link from a high-authority site can sometimes move the needle more than dozens of links from lesser-known websites.

Nofollow Backlinks: More Valuable Than You Think

Nofollow links contain the rel=”nofollow” attribute, which technically tells search engines not to follow the link or count it as an endorsement. However, their value is often misunderstood.

While they may not directly boost your rankings like dofollow links, nofollow links from relevant sites:

Drive qualified referral traffic
Create brand visibility
Add diversity to your backlink profile
Often lead to additional dofollow links down the road
May provide indirect ranking benefits as part of a natural link profile

If your link profile consists of 100% dofollow links, it actually looks suspicious to search engines. A natural backlink profile always includes a healthy mix of both types.

UGC Links (rel=”ugc”)

UGC (User Generated Content) links carry the rel=”ugc” attribute and are typically found in comment sections, forums, and other areas where users can freely add links. These links signal to search engines that the link wasn’t editorially placed by the site owner but was added by a user.

While these links don’t pass significant SEO value, they can still drive relevant traffic when placed thoughtfully in communities where your target audience gathers.

11 Powerful Types of Backlinks That Actually Drive Rankings

Now that we understand the foundational attributes, let’s explore the specific types of backlinks that can transform your SEO performance. We’ve tested thousands of link building campaigns and identified these as the most impactful.

1. Editorial Backlinks

Editorial backlinks are the holy grail of link building. These are natural mentions where a publisher or blogger links to your site because they genuinely find your content valuable and worth referencing.

Imagine you’ve created an ultimate guide about email marketing automation. A well-known marketing blog discovers it, loves it, and links to it in their latest article about marketing tools. That’s an editorial backlink, and it carries tremendous weight because:

It’s given voluntarily without solicitation
It comes from genuine appreciation of your content
It’s typically surrounded by relevant context
It often appears within the main content of the page

At Search Royals, our publishers create editorial backlinks that appear natural and contextually relevant, just like those you’d receive organically. The key difference? You don’t have to wait months or years hoping someone discovers your content.

2. Contextual Backlinks

Contextual backlinks are placed within the body content of an article or page, surrounded by relevant text that relates to your site’s topic. These links are substantially more valuable than non-contextual links (like those in footers or sidebars).

Picture this: You run a fitness equipment company. A link to your site from within an article about “The Best Home Workout Equipment for 2025” will send stronger relevancy signals to Google than the same link placed in a page’s footer.

What makes contextual links so powerful:

They appear within content directly related to your niche
They often use anchor text that describes your content
Readers are more likely to click them
Search engines give them more weight as they appear more editorial

In our experience, contextual backlinks deliver 3-5 times more SEO value than non-contextual placements, which is why they form the backbone of our link building strategy.

3. Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

PBNs are networks of websites strategically created or acquired to build powerful links to your main website. When implemented with proper expertise, they offer unparalleled control over your link building efforts.

At Search Royals, we’ve developed sophisticated PBN strategies that deliver consistent results while maintaining safety:

We acquire expired domains with existing authority and clean link profiles
Each site is built with unique, high-quality content that provides genuine user value
Our networks use diverse hosting arrangements and technical configurations
We implement natural linking patterns that mirror organic publisher behavior
Each site maintains its own unique identity and publishing schedule

When properly executed, PBN links offer several distinct advantages:

Complete control over link placement, context, and anchor text
Ability to target highly specific topics perfectly aligned with your niche
Predictable link acquisition without relying on outreach campaigns
Cost-effectiveness compared to premium editorial placements
Strategic linking that can precisely target specific pages or keywords

Our tiered link building approach leverages carefully managed PBNs as a cornerstone of effective SEO campaigns. For businesses that want reliable ranking improvements without depending entirely on third-party publishers, properly managed PBNs remain one of the most powerful tools in modern SEO.

4. Guest Post Backlinks

Guest post backlinks come from contributing content to another website in your industry. While writing the guest article, you include a link back to your site where relevant.

For example, if you’re a cybersecurity expert, you might write a guest post for a technology blog about emerging security threats, with a link to your more comprehensive guide on the topic.

Guest posting remains effective when done properly, but quality matters more than ever:

Focus on authoritative sites in your niche
Create genuinely valuable content (not thin content just for the link)
Make your links contextual and relevant to the article topic
Limit the number of links to your site (usually one is best)
Vary your anchor text across different guest posts

Remember that white hat link building techniques like quality guest posting will always perform well as part of a diversified strategy.

5. Resource Page Backlinks

Resource page backlinks come from websites that curate lists of helpful resources on specific topics. These pages exist specifically to link out to valuable content, making them perfect link building opportunities.

For instance, a university might maintain a resource page listing helpful websites about renewable energy. If you have excellent content on this topic, getting included can provide a powerful, relevant backlink.

These links are valuable because:

They’re typically dofollow
They come from pages designed to send visitors to quality resources
They’re often from educational or authoritative sites
They tend to be highly relevant to your niche
They can drive significant referral traffic

Finding and securing resource page backlinks requires research and relationship building, which is why many businesses choose to work with specialists like us who have established connections with content curators.

6. Broken Link Backlinks

Broken link building involves finding broken links on websites in your industry, then reaching out to site owners offering your content as a replacement for the dead link. It’s a win-win: they fix a problem on their site, and you gain a valuable backlink.

This strategy is particularly effective because:

You’re helping the website owner improve their user experience
The link placement already existed, making it a natural fit
The site owner is more receptive since you’re solving a problem
The contextual relevance is already established

Our data shows that broken link building has a 5-10% higher success rate than cold outreach methods, making it one of our go-to strategies for clients looking to build high authority backlinks.

7. Unlinked Brand Mentions

Unlinked brand mentions are instances where your brand is referenced on a website without a hyperlink. Converting these mentions into actual links is one of the most underutilized link building opportunities.

Imagine TechCrunch mentions your software in an article but doesn’t link to your site. This represents a prime opportunity to reach out and politely request the addition of a link to the existing mention.

The benefits of this approach include:

The site already knows and values your brand enough to mention it
The contextual relevance is pre-established
The outreach feels natural and reasonable
The conversion rate tends to be higher than cold link requests

These opportunities are easy to miss without proper monitoring tools, which is why our Backlink Monitor feature automatically tracks brand mentions across the web.

8. Expert Roundup Backlinks

Expert roundup backlinks come from content where multiple industry experts provide insights on a particular topic. By participating in these roundups, you typically receive an attribution link when your contribution is published.

For example, a marketing blog might create a roundup called “25 SEO Experts Share Their Top Tip for 2025,” featuring a short quote from each expert along with a backlink to their site.

These links are valuable because:

They position you as an authority in your field
They come with the implied endorsement of the other experts
They’re typically contextual and relevant
They often lead to additional exposure and linking opportunities

We’ve found that participating in 2-3 quality expert roundups per month can significantly enhance your authority in Google’s eyes, especially for newer websites.

9. Image Backlinks

Image backlinks occur when other websites use your images or infographics and link back to you as the source. Creating highly shareable visual assets can generate dozens or even hundreds of backlinks with minimal ongoing effort.

For instance, if you create an infographic about “The Evolution of Digital Marketing,” industry blogs may use it in their articles with a credit link back to your site.

The power of image backlinks lies in:

Their scalability (one great image can earn multiple links)
Their ability to reach different audience segments
Their tendency to continue generating links over time
Their contribution to referral traffic from visual platforms

Creating shareable images might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Even simple data visualizations can become link magnets when they present valuable information in an accessible format.

10. Webinar and Podcast Backlinks

Webinar and podcast backlinks come from appearing as a guest on industry shows or hosting your own events that others reference. These multimedia appearances typically earn you a link in the show notes or accompanying blog post.

If you’re an expert in local link building, appearing on a digital marketing podcast to share your insights would likely earn you a valuable backlink from the podcast’s website.

These links are particularly effective because:

They come with the host’s endorsement of your expertise
They reach engaged, niche-specific audiences
They typically appear on regularly updated websites
They often include rich anchor text describing your authority

As more content consumption moves to audio and video formats, these backlink opportunities are becoming increasingly valuable for forward-thinking businesses.

11. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) Backlinks

HARO backlinks come from providing expert quotes to journalists working on stories through platforms like Help A Reporter Out. When your quote is used, you typically receive a attribution link from the publishing website.

For example, if a journalist is writing a piece about emerging cybersecurity threats for Business Insider, and you provide a valuable insight as a security expert, you might earn a backlink from a major publication that would otherwise be difficult to secure.

The unique value of HARO backlinks includes:

Access to high-authority news and media sites
Editorial backlinks that are 100% natural
Positioning as an industry authority
Additional brand exposure beyond just the link
Potential for recurring opportunities with the same journalists

While the success rate for HARO outreach is relatively low (typically 5-15%), the high quality of links obtained makes it worth the effort, especially for businesses looking to build a diverse, natural-looking backlink profile.

Types of Backlinks to Approach with Caution

Not all backlinks contribute positively to your SEO efforts. Some can be ineffective or even harmful if implemented incorrectly. Here are the types of backlinks to approach thoughtfully.

Comment and Forum Backlinks

Comment and forum backlinks come from posting on blogs, forums, and discussion boards. While these platforms can drive referral traffic when used authentically, they typically provide little SEO value as most use the nofollow or UGC attributes.

Additionally, excessive comment linking can appear spammy, potentially hurting your site’s reputation with both users and search engines.

If you choose to use comment links:

Only contribute genuinely valuable information
Link only when truly relevant to the discussion
Focus on niche-specific forums where your target audience gathers
Prioritize relationship building over link acquisition
Use your real name and build a genuine presence in the community

The primary goal should be establishing authority and driving referral traffic, with any SEO benefit considered a secondary bonus.

Directory Backlinks

Directory backlinks come from business listing websites. While quality, relevant directories can provide some value, most general directories offer minimal SEO benefit.

The distinction between helpful and unhelpful directories:

Helpful: Industry-specific, curated directories that require approval (like legal directories for attorneys)
Unhelpful: General, low-quality directories that accept any submission

We recommend limiting directory submissions to:

Relevant industry directories
Local business directories if you serve specific geographic areas
Professional association directories
Highly selective general directories with strong domain authority

Quality always trumps quantity—five links from respected industry directories outweigh hundreds of links from generic, low-quality listing sites.

Social Media Backlinks

Social media backlinks come from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. While these can drive significant traffic and build brand awareness, they typically use nofollow attributes and have limited direct SEO impact.

Nevertheless, social signals can indirectly influence your rankings:

Increased social visibility leads to more brand searches
Social sharing can put your content in front of potential linkers
Strong social engagement signals content quality to search engines
Content that resonates on social often earns natural editorial backlinks

Rather than focusing on the links themselves, use social media to amplify your content and build relationships that lead to valuable linking opportunities elsewhere.

Press Release Backlinks

Press release backlinks come from distributing company news through press release services. While once an effective link building strategy, most press release links now use nofollow or sponsored attributes.

If you use press releases for backlinks:

Only issue releases for genuinely newsworthy information
Target industry-specific distribution services over general ones
Focus on getting picked up by actual journalists rather than just syndication
Use press releases as part of a broader PR strategy, not just for links

Press releases still have value for brand building and announcements, but they should complement rather than dominate your link building strategy.

Advanced Backlink Strategies for 2025

Beyond the standard link building approaches, several advanced strategies can give you an edge in competitive markets.

Automated or Spun Content Backlinks

These backlinks come from lower-quality, auto-generated content created primarily for building links. While we generally advise against relying heavily on these links, they can serve specific purposes within a tiered link building strategy.

For tier 2 and tier 3 links (links that point to your backlinks rather than directly to your site), automated content links can help distribute link equity through your network. However, they should never form the foundation of your primary link building efforts.

Footer and Sitewide Links

Footer and sitewide links appear on every page of a website, typically in the footer or sidebar. While not inherently harmful in legitimate cases (like credit links for web designers), they become problematic when used excessively with overly optimized anchor text.

A balanced approach includes:

Using natural brand mentions for sitewide links
Limiting the number of sites with sitewide links pointing to you
Ensuring the linking sites have genuine topical relevance

When implemented thoughtfully, a limited number of quality sitewide links can contribute positively to your link profile.

How to Build a Healthy Backlink Profile in 2025

Building a diverse, natural-looking backlink profile requires strategy, patience, and a focus on quality over quantity. Here’s our proven approach for sustainable link building.

Focus on Content Worth Linking To

The foundation of effective link building is creating content that naturally attracts links. Before focusing on outreach tactics, ensure you have:

Comprehensive resource guides that solve specific problems
Original research or data that can’t be found elsewhere
Tools, calculators, or interactive elements that provide utility
Visual assets that clearly explain complex concepts
Contrarian or unique perspectives on industry topics

Without linkable assets, even the best outreach strategies will struggle to deliver results. As we always tell our clients: exceptional content makes link building exponentially easier.

Prioritize Relevance Over Metrics

While domain authority metrics provide useful guidance, relevance should always be your priority. A link from a lower-authority site that’s directly related to your industry typically provides more value than a higher-authority link from an unrelated site.

Consider these factors when evaluating potential link opportunities:

Topical relevance to your industry
Audience alignment with your target market
Content quality and editorial standards
Traffic and engagement metrics
Linking patterns (do they link to quality resources?)

Remember, Google’s algorithms are increasingly sophisticated at evaluating contextual relevance. A perfectly targeted backlink strategy aligns with your specific niche and audience.

Diversify Your Anchor Text

Anchor text—the clickable text of a link—sends strong relevancy signals to search engines. However, over-optimized anchor text patterns are a common trigger for penalties.

A natural anchor text profile typically includes:

Brand anchors (your company or website name)
Naked URLs (your actual website address)
Generic anchors (“click here,” “learn more,” etc.)
Partial match anchors (containing part of your target keyword)
Exact match anchors (exactly matching your target keyword)

For most sites, we recommend keeping exact match anchors below 5% of your total backlink profile, with the majority being brand and natural variations.

Prioritize Link Velocity and Natural Growth

How quickly you acquire backlinks can be just as important as the links themselves. Sudden spikes in link acquisition appear unnatural and may trigger algorithmic filters.

Instead, focus on:

Consistent, gradual link growth over time
Varied acquisition patterns that mirror natural linking behavior
Diversification across multiple link types and sources
Alignment between content publication and link acquisition

Natural link profiles show organic growth patterns with occasional spikes (perhaps from a viral piece of content) followed by return to baseline growth—not sustained, mechanical link acquisition.

Consider Working with Specialists

Link building requires specialized knowledge, established relationships, and constant adaptation to changing algorithms. For many businesses, partnering with specialists delivers better results than handling link building in-house.

When choosing a link building partner, look for:

Transparency about methods and sources
Detailed reporting with verification options
Focus on relevant, quality placements over quantity
Adaptable strategies tailored to your specific industry
Case studies demonstrating sustainable results

At Search Royals, we believe in complete transparency. You can see exactly where your links are placed, verify they’re indexed, and track their performance over time through our intuitive platform.

How to Analyze Your Current Backlink Profile

Understanding your existing backlink profile is essential for developing an effective strategy moving forward. Here’s how to conduct a comprehensive analysis.

Identify Your Top Backlink Sources

Start by identifying which websites currently link to you most frequently and evaluate the quality of these relationships. This analysis might reveal:

Industry publications that regularly feature your content
Partners or suppliers with multiple links to your site
Media outlets that have covered your brand
Directories or platforms where your profile is well-established

These existing relationships often represent the lowest-hanging fruit for acquiring additional quality backlinks.

Analyze Competitor Backlinks

Examining your competitors’ backlink profiles can reveal valuable opportunities you’ve missed. Look for:

Publications that link to multiple competitors but not you
Resource pages featuring competitors that could also include your site
Topics that consistently earn links in your industry
Strategic partnerships that yield valuable backlinks

Our Competitor Research tool automates this process, identifying the most valuable linking opportunities based on your specific competitors’ backlink profiles.

Evaluate Link Quality Metrics

Not all backlinks contribute equally to your SEO performance. Evaluate your existing links based on:

Domain Authority or Domain Rating
Topical relevance to your industry
Traffic and engagement metrics
Link placement (contextual vs. sidebar/footer)
Link attributes (dofollow vs. nofollow)

This analysis will help you identify areas where your link profile needs improvement and guide your future link building efforts.

Identify and Address Toxic Backlinks

While building quality links, it’s equally important to address potentially harmful ones. Toxic backlinks typically show these characteristics:

Come from sites with no editorial standards
Appear on pages with excessive outbound links
Originate from irrelevant or adult-themed websites
Use overly optimized anchor text patterns
Connect to networks of low-quality sites

If you identify potentially harmful links, consider reaching out for removal or using Google’s disavow tool as a last resort.

Building a Strategic Backlink Portfolio with the right types of backlinks

In 2025, backlinks remain the backbone of successful SEO strategies, but the emphasis has shifted decisively toward quality, relevance, and natural acquisition patterns. At Search Royals, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses transform their search visibility by building strategic backlink portfolios.

The most successful link building approaches:

Prioritize editorial, contextual links from relevant sources
Focus on delivering value to the linking site’s audience
Build relationships rather than just requesting links
Create linkable assets that generate organic interest
Maintain natural growth and diversification patterns

Whether you’re just starting your link building journey or looking to refine your existing strategy, understanding the various types of backlinks—and their relative value—is essential for sustainable SEO success.

Ready to transform your backlink profile with links that actually drive rankings? Explore our link building packages or contact our team in Copenhagen to discuss a strategy tailored to your specific goals.

Start free trial