What Are The Types of Backlinks in SEO?

 In SEO (search engine optimization), backlinks are one of the most significant factors determining your Website’s ranking on Google. Links refer to a hyperlink and a backlink is a hyperlink between two different websites and are very important in ensuring that your website generates traffic and is recognized by other websites. The importance of backlinks is not the same for all of them and it is vital to understand the backlinks types to improve the effectiveness of the SEO strategy.

In this blog, we will provide an overview of backlinks for SEO and their types. However, when dealing with an SEO services agency or the best digital marketing agency, it becomes important to know these backlink types to work with your agency effectively and help improve your site ranking.

1) DoFollow Backlinks

DoFollow Backlinks transfers the SEO value or link juice to the linked website. DoFollow backlinks are directly related to your website ranking on search engines like Google. The DoFollow link is very important because this hyperlink provider websites have high authority on SERPs. When a high-authority website links to your website online then SERPs get a signal that your site is trustworthy and credible, which could directly enhance your website ranking on SERPs.

Dofollow links look like this in HTML code:

Here are some kinds of backlinks that are likely to positively impact your SEO performance.

Natural editorial backlinks are links that are organically placed within the content of a webpage by the author or publisher. These links typically arise when content creators find a resource valuable and reference it, enhancing the article’s credibility. They are highly valuable for SEO as they convey trust and authority.

Guest post backlinks are links obtained by writing and publishing articles on someone else’s website or blog. This strategy not only enhances brand visibility and authority but also drives traffic to the author’s site. Guest posts often include a do-follow link, contributing positively to the author’s SEO and online presence.

Niche or industry-specific Backlinks are links obtained from websites in the same niche or industry as your own. These online links are valuable for SEO because they demonstrate relevance, authority and trustworthiness. 

Directory submission backlinks are links obtained by submitting a website to online directories. These directories categorize businesses or websites, allowing users to find relevant services easily. While not as powerful as editorial backlinks, directory submissions can enhance visibility, drive referral traffic, and improve search engine ranking by creating backlinks.

Press release backlinks are links embedded within press releases distributed to media outlets, online news structures, or industry websites. These backlinks can power visitors and enhance search engine rankings, as they often come from excessive-authority assets.

2) NoFollow

NoFollow backlinks are a sort of link that doesn’t bypass search engine optimization value or “Link juice” to the website they’re pointing to. These links are normally added with a NoFollow tag inside the HTML code, which tells search engines not to count them as a factor for ranking. While they don’t directly influence your SEO ratings, NoFollow hyperlinks can still provide value by driving traffic and increasing brand visibility.

NoFollow backlinks are frequently used in blog comments or social media posts. Although they don’t offer SEO benefits like DoFollow links, they still play a function in building a diverse backlink profile, which appears more natural to search engines.

Nofollow links look like this in HTML code:

Here are some kinds of backlinks that are likely to play a crucial role in your website’s performance.

Social media backlinks though typically NoFollow, can be a significant traffic source and indirectly influence your SEO. Backlinks from platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram may not directly affect rankings, but they can increase the visibility of your content and lead to further backlinks from other websites.

Blog comment backlinks are links created while customers leave comments on blog posts, frequently which include a hyperlink to their website. While maximum blog comment sections are set to “nofollow” to save you spam and preserve quality, they can still drive traffic and encourage engagement with the commenting user’s site.

Forum backlinks are links embedded in posts or comments on online discussion platforms. They often allow users to share insights, ask questions, or provide solutions. While many forum links are typically Nofollow to prevent spam, they can still drive traffic and enhance brand visibility within niche communities.

Wikipedia links are typically categorized as Nofollow backlinks, meaning they do not pass authority or link juice to the linked site. While they may not directly boost SEO rankings, they can drive significant traffic due to Wikipedia’s high visibility and credibility. Being featured can enhance brand exposure and trustworthiness.

3) Sponsored Backlinks

Sponsored Backlinks refer to links that are placed in content as a consequence of paid promotion by the site owner and the brand or advertiser. Generally, it is indicated by the rel=”sponsored” attribute indicating to the search engine that the link placed was in exchange for sponsorship or advertisement. Sponsored backlinks can also be valuable for increasing traffic and increasing its visibility because they locate the hyperlink on popular or authorizing sites. But unlike Dofollow links they do not relay link juice to the destination with which it is linked. One of the major pros of SEO is that sponsored links should not deceive consumers and therefore must be properly disclosed.

Here’s an example of a sponsored backlink:

Here are some kinds of backlinks that are likely to positively impact your SEO performance.

Sponsored blog posts are links added to articles that are paid for by a brand or advertiser.  These posts typically promote a product or service and include a link back to the brand’s website. They are marked with the rel=”sponsored” attribute to indicate their paid nature, affecting SEO accordingly.

Paid advertisements are links generated through paid promotional efforts, typically found in sponsored content, display ads, or affiliate marketing. These backlinks are often labeled to indicate their sponsored nature. While they may not pass SEO authority, they can drive targeted traffic to a website, increasing visibility and brand awareness.

Sponsored product reviews are links included in reviews that a brand pays for to promote its products. These links are typically marked as sponsored and provide exposure to the product while driving traffic to the brand’s website. They can enhance visibility and boost credibility for the business.

Affiliate links are URLs embedded within content that direct users to products or services in exchange for a commission on sales generated through the link. These backlinks help affiliates earn income by promoting brands, and they can be categorized as sponsored links, passing traffic but typically not SEO authority.

Paid Content in Directories refers to links obtained by paying for listings in online directories. These backlinks often appear in business or service directories where companies pay to feature their websites prominently. While they can enhance visibility and drive traffic, the SEO value may vary based on the directory’s authority.

4) UGC (User-Generated Content) Backlinks

UGC (User-Generated Content) Backlinks refer to backlinks that are created by third-party drivers as opposed to site proprietors: these may include backlinks in comments, forums, social media accounts, and product reviews. Identified by the rel=”ugc” attribute, they inform search engines of user-generated content. Certainly, UGC backlinks are not as powerful as Dofollow backlinks, but they generate traffic and increase engagement while enriching brands with organic experiences.

UGC backlinks have the rel=“ugc” attribute. And they look like this:

Here are some kinds of backlinks that are likely to positively impact your SEO performance.

Forums are links created within online discussion forums where users post questions, answers, or comments. These links can lead back to a website, often included in the user’s profile or within the content of their posts.

Social media comments are hyperlinks embedded in user comments on social media platforms. While often labeled as Nofollow, they can drive traffic to your website. Engaging with users in comments can enhance visibility, foster community interaction, and potentially lead to higher organic reach and brand awareness.

Community Q&A sites are links generated from platforms where users ask and answer questions, such as Quora and Stack Overflow. These backlinks are valuable for SEO as they can drive traffic and improve visibility. They often contain user-generated content, helping to establish authority and engage a target audience.

Review sites are links generated from user-generated reviews on platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Google My Business. These links can enhance a business’s online presence, improve search engine visibility, and drive traffic.

5) Guest post backlinks

Guest post backlinks are acquired by writing high-quality articles for other relevant websites, usually within your niche. In return, you are typically allowed to include one or more links to your own website, often within the content or author bio. These backlinks are valuable because they allow you to tap into an established audience, improve referral traffic, and build authority in your industry.

Best for: Building long-term domain authority, creating relevant traffic channels, and increasing brand visibility.

Tip: Target sites with strong domain authority and make sure the content you provide is valuable, not just promotional. Use varied, natural anchor text for links to avoid over-optimization penalties.

6) Home page and landing page backlinks

Homepage and landing page backlinks refer to links pointing to either your site’s main homepage or dedicated landing pages designed for conversions. Getting links to your homepage enhances your site’s overall domain strength. Landing page backlinks are more conversion-focused, helping to increase traffic to specific pages built to generate leads or sales.

Best for: Improving the overall domain authority and driving specific, conversion-driven traffic.

Tip: Use branded anchor text or carefully crafted calls to action when seeking backlinks to landing pages to make the link look natural and valuable for users.

7) Saas backlinks

SaaS backlinks are especially important for SaaS companies looking to promote their software products. These backlinks are often acquired from tech-related blogs, software directories, or product review websites. In this competitive space, high-quality backlinks from trusted, relevant sources can significantly improve search rankings and credibility.

Best for: Boosting visibility for software-related websites and improving rankings in competitive SaaS niches.

Tip: Get listed in software directories and aim for backlinks from industry influencers and tech blogs that review or compare SaaS products.

8) Forum backlinks

Forum backlinks are obtained by engaging in online communities, like niche forums or discussion boards, where you can offer insights or respond to user questions. By adding a link to relevant content on your site, you can attract targeted traffic while providing valuable information.

Best for: Establishing niche relevance, attracting engaged traffic, and fostering a community around your brand.

Tip: Aim to deliver genuine value in discussions and refrain from spamming forums with links, as search engines may penalize low-quality forum links.

9) Listing backlinks

Listing backlinks are links gained by submitting your site to directories or listings. These backlinks can be beneficial for local SEO, particularly when included in directories that focus on your business niche or geographic area. 

Best for: Enhancing local SEO, boosting visibility in niche directories, and increasing referral traffic from relevant sources. 

Tip: Make sure to submit to reputable, high-quality directories to avoid low-quality or spammy backlinks.

10) ABC link exchange

An ABC link exchange is a reciprocal linking strategy that involves three different websites. Instead of a straightforward exchange (A links to B, B links to A), the structure is more circular: Site A links to Site B, Site B links to Site C, and Site C links back to Site A. This method helps to avoid detection of a traditional link exchange.

Best for: Building a diverse backlink profile and steering clear of simple reciprocal link patterns.

Tip: Ensure that the exchange involves high-quality sites that provide relevant value, as poor-quality link exchanges can harm your SEO.

11) Contextual backlinks

Contextual backlinks are links that are integrated naturally within the content itself, rather than being placed in a footer, sidebar, or author bio. These backlinks are particularly valuable because they are perceived as more organic and relevant to the content, which signals greater credibility to search engines. 

Best for: Enhancing search engine rankings, as they carry more SEO weight. 

Tip: Focus on obtaining these backlinks from high-quality sources.

12) Naked URL backlinks

Naked URL backlinks utilize the raw URL of a webpage as the anchor text (e.g., www.example.com) instead of specific keywords. These backlinks are important for creating a varied backlink profile and preventing over-optimization, which can lead to penalties from search engines. 

Best for: Diversifying your backlink anchor text profile and enhancing trust with search engines. 

Tip: Use naked URL backlinks sparingly and alongside other types of backlinks to keep a natural profile.

13) Comment backlinks

Comment backlinks are generated by leaving comments on blogs, news articles, or other content-rich websites, typically in the comment section. Although not as valuable as other types of backlinks, they can still provide some SEO benefit if done correctly.

Best for: Building connections within your niche and driving small amounts of referral traffic.

Tip: Focus on leaving meaningful comments that add value to the conversation and avoid spamming.

14) Image backlinks

Image backlinks are created when another website uses your image and links back to the source (your website). These backlinks can come from infographics, product images, or other types of visuals. Search engines place value on image backlinks because they indicate that your visual content is valuable.

Best for: Increasing brand visibility and driving traffic through visual content.

Tip: Use tools like reverse image search to find where your images are used without proper attribution and request backlinks.

15) Guestographic backlinks

Guestographic backlinks combine the strategies of guest posts and infographics. This involves creating a unique infographic and pitching it to other websites within your niche, offering the infographic along with a link back to your site in exchange for its use.

Best for: Boosting SEO with engaging, shareable visual content.

Tip: Reach out to relevant sites in your industry and offer to create infographics that they can feature in exchange for a backlink.

16) Edu backlinks

Edu backlinks are links sourced from websites with the .edu domain, typically linked to educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and research centers. These backlinks carry significant authority because .edu sites are highly trusted by search engines due to their educational focus and reliability.

Best for: Enhancing domain authority and improving search engine rankings.

Tip: To acquire edu backlinks, think about creating educational content that would be beneficial for students or faculty, sponsoring academic events, offering scholarships, or collaborating with educational institutions.

Top edu sites for backlinks: 

https://www.thecrimson.com/
https://news.stanford.edu/
https://www.ucla.edu/ 

17) .Org backlinks

Like edu backlinks, .org backlinks originate from websites with the .org domain, which are generally associated with nonprofit organizations. These sites are often regarded as credible and authoritative, making backlinks from .org domains valuable for boosting your SEO.

Best for: Securing high-authority backlinks, particularly when connected to nonprofit or charitable initiatives.

Tip: To gain .org backlinks, consider partnering with nonprofit organizations, contributing content, or engaging in sponsorships, especially if your business aligns with charitable or social causes.

18) Footer backlinks

Footer backlinks are links found in the footer section of a website, which appears at the bottom of every page. These links are commonly used for citing website design credits or linking to affiliate partners. While they may not hold as much value as contextual backlinks, footer backlinks can still enhance your overall backlink profile.

Best for: Website credits, partnership mentions, and branding.

Tip: Use footer backlinks judiciously, as search engines typically assign them less importance.

19) Sitewide backlinks 

Sitewide backlinks are links that appear on multiple pages across a website, often in the header, sidebar, or footer. For instance, a link to your website might appear in a partner’s sitewide navigation bar. These backlinks were once considered valuable but have lost some of their weight due to Google’s algorithm updates, which emphasize natural, content-based links.

Best for: Building brand awareness through continuous exposure, especially on trusted websites.

Tip: Avoid over-reliance on sitewide backlinks as they can be seen as manipulative if overused. Instead, focus on acquiring these links from high-authority, relevant websites to maintain a balanced and natural backlink profile.

Conclusion

Backlinks are an important part of your Search engine optimization, and understanding the types may be useful when dealing with the best SEO services provider or best digital marketing agency. By developing quality backlinks pointing to your site, especially from sites with high page ranks and relevance to the links inserted, it is possible to progress your Search Engine Ranking Positions and as a result, increase traffic to your sites. Regardless if you are getting natural backlinks, writing guest posts, or participating in forums, the thing that you must remember with link building is that quality always trumps quantity.