15 of the Best Backlink Types and How to Get them

Not all backlinks are equal, and not all will move the needle. If you’re building links to boost rankings and authority, you need to know which types deliver results. Understanding both dofollow and nofollow links is crucial in the context of backlink acquisition and SEO strategy. Here’s a breakdown of 15 powerful backlink types that can improve SEO performance, increase traffic, and build trust with search engines.

Benefits of Backlinks for SEO and Digital Marketing

Backlinks offer a multitude of benefits that can elevate your digital marketing efforts:

1. Improved Search Engine Rankings: High-quality backlinks from authoritative websites can boost your website’s search engine rankings. When search engines see that reputable sites link to your content, they consider your site more trustworthy and relevant, which can lead to higher rankings and increased visibility.

2. Increased Credibility and Trust: Backlinks from reputable sources enhance your website’s credibility and trustworthiness. When users see that respected websites link to your content, they are more likely to trust your brand and engage with your site.

3. Referral Traffic: Backlinks can drive significant referral traffic to your website. When users click on a backlink from another site, they are directed to your site, potentially leading to increased conversions, sales, and revenue.

4. Brand Awareness: Backlinks can help increase your brand’s visibility and recognition. As more websites link to your content, your brand becomes more familiar to a broader audience, enhancing your online presence.

5. Link Juice: Backlinks pass “link juice” (SEO value) from the referring website to the linked website. This transfer of authority can improve your site’s ranking potential and overall SEO performance.

By understanding the importance of backlinks and leveraging them effectively, you can enhance your website’s search engine rankings, drive more organic traffic, and build a stronger online presence.

🧠 High Quality Backlinks for Authority-Boosting

These are the backlinks that search engines love, natural, high-authority, and editorially placed. These backlinks matter the most.

1. Editorial Backlinks

What it is: Links placed naturally within the content of another website because your content was worth referencing.

Why it matters: It’s one of the strongest signals of authority. Integrating relevant links within your content can lead to immediate benefits in referral traffic and search rankings.

How to get it: Create link-worthy content (original research, expert insights, or comprehensive guides). Promote it through outreach and relationships.

SEO impact: ★★★★★

2. Guest Post Links

What it is: Backlinks you earn by writing guest posts on relevant, authoritative websites.

Why it matters: Lets you control anchor text and context while building authority. Guest post backlinks often come with dofollow backlinks, which pass valuable link equity and help improve search engine rankings. A dofollow link signifies trust and authority from one site to another, and is essential for improving a site’s ranking in search engine results.

How to get it: Pitch article ideas to niche-relevant blogs and sites. Avoid low-quality, toxic backlinks or spammy guest post farms.

SEO impact: ★★★★☆

3. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) Links

What it is: Journalists and bloggers request expert quotes, and when you respond, they may link to your site.
Why it matters: Can result in high DR links from major media outlets.
How to get it: Sign up for HARO or similar platforms like Qwoted or Terkel.
SEO impact: ★★★★☆

📢 Brand Visibility Links

These help establish a stronger online footprint, increase brand trust, and can bring referral traffic.

4. Business Profile Links

What it is: Links from company listings (e.g., Google Business Profile, Yelp, Clutch).
Why it matters: Reinforces legitimacy and can rank in local search.
How to get it: Create or claim your business on trusted directories.
SEO impact: ★★★☆☆

5. Social Media Profile Links

What it is: Links from your social media bios and about pages.

Why it matters: May be nofollow, but they signal brand presence and can drive traffic. Nofollow backlinks do not pass authority from one site to another, but they can still drive traffic and enhance visibility, especially from reputable websites.

How to get it: Set up and optimize your social profiles with links to your site.

SEO impact: ★★☆☆☆

6. Podcast & Webinar Mentions

What it is: Links from podcast show notes or webinar landing pages where you’re featured.
Why it matters: Often natural, dofollow, and from niche-relevant sites.
How to get it: Pitch yourself as a guest expert. Repurpose content into episodes or panels.
SEO impact: ★★★★☆

🛠️ Tactical / DIY Links

Hands-on link building techniques that don’t rely on others discovering your content. Obtaining backlinks from high domain authority websites can lead to a noticeable increase in organic search engine traffic.

7. Broken Link Replacements

What it is: Replacing dead outbound links on other sites with your own working, relevant link.

Why it matters: It’s helpful for the site owner and earns you a high-quality link. While nofollow backlinks do not pass authority, they can still drive valuable referral traffic and visibility, especially when sourced from reputable websites.

How to get it: Use tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links to find broken links on niche sites.

SEO impact: ★★★★☆

8. Link Reclamation

What it is: Turning unlinked mentions of your brand into backlinks.
Why it matters: These are usually easy wins and brand-safe.
How to get it: Use Google Alerts or brand monitoring tools to find mentions and request a link.
SEO impact: ★★★★☆

9. Internal Backlinks

What it is: Links between pages on your own site.
Why it matters: Helps distribute link equity and improves crawlability. How many internal links you have matters too.
How to get it: Link to relevant posts/pages naturally within your content.
SEO impact: ★★★☆☆

🎯 Niche-Driven or “Smart” Backlinks for Search Engine Optimization

These take more effort but often result in high trust and relevance.

10. Badge Links

What it is: You create a badge or award that other sites embed — with a link back to you.
Why it matters: Builds authority while also acting as brand PR.
How to get it: Create a “Top X” list or certification and invite recipients to showcase the badge.
SEO impact: ★★★★☆

11. Free Tool Links

What it is: Offering a calculator, generator, or other free resource that people link to.
Why it matters: Useful tools generate organic backlinks over time.
How to get it: Build a simple tool tied to your niche. Promote it in communities and to bloggers.
SEO impact: ★★★★★

12. Scholarship Links

What it is: Links from universities promoting your scholarship.
Why it matters: Often placed on .edu domains, which are highly trusted.
How to get it: Create a legitimate scholarship, outreach to schools’ financial aid pages.
SEO impact: ★★★★☆

🧩 Community & UGC-Based Links

These are lower-impact but help create a natural and diversified link profile.

13. Forum Signature Links

What it is: Links placed in your signature on niche forums.
Why it matters: Helps drive niche traffic and engagement.
How to get it: Join relevant communities and contribute meaningful posts.
SEO impact: ★★☆☆☆

14. Comment Links

What it is: Links added when commenting on blog posts.
Why it matters: Usually nofollow, but can drive traffic and brand recognition.
How to get it: Leave thoughtful, relevant comments (not spam).
SEO impact: ★☆☆☆☆

15. UGC Links (rel=“ugc”)

What it is: User-generated content links, typically from comment sections, forums, or community platforms.
Why it matters: Signal user interaction and help search engines understand link context.
How to get it: Participate in niche communities, Reddit threads, or Q&A sites like Quora.
SEO impact: ★☆☆☆☆

⚠️ Bonus: Links to Avoid

Not all backlinks are good for your SEO. Watch out for:

• Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

• Spammy comment/forum links

• Purchased links that violate Google’s guidelines

• Links from irrelevant or low-quality sites

These can trigger penalties or reduce your credibility.

Conclusion

Wondering how many backlinks you need to rank? The answer depends on quality, niche competition, and site authority. A smart backlink strategy isn’t just about getting more links, it’s about getting the right types. Prioritize backlinks that align with your brand, provide SEO value, and reflect real-world trust. Start with authority-driven links like editorial placements and guest posts, mix in scalable options like tools or badges, and round it out with diverse sources to keep your profile natural.

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