- Types of backlinks in SEO fall into two big buckets: link attributes (dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, UGC) and link sources (editorial, guest post, directory, forum, image).
- Not all links carry equal weight. Editorial and guest-post links from relevant, trusted sites deliver the most ranking value.
- Understanding dofollow vs nofollow matters, but a natural profile includes both—chasing only dofollow looks unnatural.
- The safest high-quality backlinks are earned through genuine value: great content, expert commentary, and relevant placements.
- Avoid spammy shortcuts like link farms and paid dofollow schemes—they risk penalties that undo months of work.
Backlinks remain one of Google’s strongest ranking signals, yet most guides lump them into one vague pile. That’s a problem, because knowing the different backlink types changes how you build them—and which ones actually help. If you’re already earning links through professional guest posting services or tracking your profile with reliable backlink management tools, understanding these categories helps you spend effort where it counts.
Here’s the plan: this guide explains what a backlink is, breaks down the nine main types with clear backlink examples, shows which ones matter most, and flags the risky link types to avoid.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What backlinks are and why they matter
- The main types of backlinks by attribute and source
- Which backlink types deliver the most value
- Real examples and what to avoid
What Is a Backlink (and Why Do They Matter)?
A backlink is simply a link from one website that points to another. When another site links to your page, that link is a backlink for your website—and search engines treat it as a signal of trust.
So what are backlinks in SEO really doing? They act like votes of confidence. When a respected site links to you, it tells Google your content is credible and worth referencing. The more quality votes you earn, the more authority your site builds.
But here’s the catch: not all votes count equally. A link from a trusted industry publication carries far more weight than one from a random, low-quality directory. That’s exactly why understanding the different types matters—so you chase the links that genuinely help.
Google’s own guidance on link best practices is clear: the strongest links are earned through real value, not manipulation.
Mini-takeaway: A backlink is a link from another site to yours, acting as a trust signal—but quality and type determine how much ranking value it actually passes.
The Two Ways to Categorize Backlink Types
Before diving into the list, it helps to know that backlink types split along two dimensions. Getting this framework straight makes everything else click into place.
- By link attribute: How the link is coded tells search engines how to treat it—dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, or UGC.
- By link source: Where the link comes from shapes its value—editorial, guest post, directory, forum, or image links.
Think of it like this: the attribute controls whether authority flows through the link, while the source determines how much authority there is to flow in the first place. A dofollow link from a spammy site still isn’t worth much.
Understanding both dimensions helps you evaluate any link you earn. You’ll instantly know whether it passes value and whether that value is worth having.
Mini-takeaway: Backlinks are categorized two ways—by attribute (how they’re coded) and by source (where they come from)—and both dimensions shape a link’s true value.
Backlink Types by Attribute
Link attributes are small pieces of code that tell search engines how to handle a link. Understanding the dofollow vs nofollow distinction—and the newer attributes—helps you read your backlink profile accurately.
Dofollow Links
A dofollow link is the default. It passes authority (often called “link equity”) from the linking site to yours, directly supporting your rankings. These are the links most SEO effort targets.
When someone links to you naturally in an article without any special attribute, that’s a dofollow link. It’s the gold standard—but only when it comes from a relevant, trustworthy source.
Nofollow Links
A nofollow link includes a rel=”nofollow” tag that tells search engines not to pass authority. Blog comments, many forum links, and some editorial links use it.
Don’t dismiss nofollow links, though. They still drive referral traffic, build brand awareness, and keep your profile looking natural. A backlink profile made up entirely of dofollow links actually looks suspicious.
Sponsored Links
Introduced by Google alongside nofollow updates, the rel=”sponsored” attribute marks links you paid for or that came from an advertising arrangement. If you buy a placement or run an affiliate link, this is the correct label.
Using it honestly keeps you compliant. Trying to disguise paid dofollow links as editorial ones is exactly the kind of manipulation Google penalizes.
UGC Links
The rel=”ugc” attribute stands for “user-generated content.” It flags links created by users—like comments and forum posts—so search engines know they weren’t editorially placed.
Mini-takeaway: By attribute, links are dofollow (passes authority), nofollow (doesn’t), sponsored (paid), or UGC (user-created)—and a healthy profile naturally mixes all four.
Backlink Types by Source
The source of a link often matters more than its attribute. These are the types of backlinks in SEO grouped by where they come from—each with a different level of value and effort.
Editorial Links
Editorial links are the crown jewel. A writer or publisher links to your content freely because they find it genuinely useful. No request, no payment—just merit.
These earn the most trust precisely because you can’t easily buy them. A single editorial link from a respected publication can outperform dozens of weaker links.
Guest Post Links
A guest post link comes from an article you write for another website, usually including a contextual link back to your site. Done well, it earns a relevant, editorial-style link on a site your audience reads.
The key is relevance and quality. If you’re new to the tactic, our guide on what guest posting is and how it works breaks down the fundamentals.
Directory Links
Directory links come from business listings and web directories. Quality ranges wildly here. Reputable, niche-relevant directories (or your Google Business Profile) add value; spammy, low-quality directories add nothing—or worse.
Forum Links
Forum links appear when you participate in online communities like Reddit or industry forums. Most are nofollow, but they still drive targeted referral traffic and build visibility when you contribute genuinely rather than spam links.
Image and Infographic Links
When someone uses your image, chart, or infographic and links back to you as the source, that’s an image link. Original data visualizations and infographics are especially good at earning these naturally—people love citing strong visuals.
Mini-takeaway: By source, backlinks range from high-value editorial and guest-post links to lower-value directory and forum links—relevance and trust decide their worth.
Which Types of Backlinks Matter Most?
Now for the question everyone asks: which links should you actually chase? The connection between backlinks and SEO comes down to three factors—authority, relevance, and how the link was earned.
Here’s how the types stack up in value:
- Editorial links: The highest value. Earned on merit from trusted, relevant sites.
- Guest post links: Strong value when placed on relevant, quality sites with natural anchors.
- Image/infographic links: Solid value, especially from original data or visuals others cite.
- Directory links: Situational—valuable only from reputable, niche-relevant directories.
- Forum links: Low direct SEO value, but useful for referral traffic and visibility.
According to Moz’s research on domain authority and Ahrefs’ studies on backlinks, links from high-authority, topically relevant domains consistently carry the most ranking power. That’s the pattern to aim for.
The takeaway is simple: prioritize high-quality backlinks from relevant, trusted sources over sheer volume. Ten strong editorial links beat a hundred spammy ones every time. Understanding the impact of reputation on SEO services reinforces why credibility, not quantity, wins.
Mini-takeaway: Editorial and guest-post links deliver the most value—chase authority and relevance, not raw numbers, for links that actually move rankings.
A Real-World Backlink Example
Let’s make this concrete with a quick backlink example. Say you run a small coffee-roasting business and publish an original study on how brewing temperature affects flavor.
Here’s how different backlink types might stack up around that one piece of content:
- Editorial: A popular food blog references your study and links to it naturally—your best link.
- Guest post: You write an article for a coffee industry site, linking back to your study for supporting data.
- Image: Another blogger uses your temperature chart and credits your site as the source.
- Forum: Someone shares your study in a coffee subreddit, earning a nofollow link and real traffic.
- Directory: Your business appears in a reputable local food-and-drink directory.
Notice how one strong asset—original research—earned several link types naturally. That’s the real lesson: create something worth linking to, and diverse backlinks for website growth follows.
Mini-takeaway: A single link-worthy asset can attract multiple backlink types naturally—proving that great content is the engine behind a healthy link profile.
What to Avoid: Toxic Backlink Types
Not every link helps. Some actively hurt you. Knowing the risky ones protects your site from penalties that can erase months of progress.
- Link farms: Networks of sites built purely to sell links—a clear manipulation signal.
- Paid dofollow links: Buying links that pass authority without a sponsored tag violates Google’s guidelines.
- Private blog networks (PBNs): Fake site networks designed to game rankings—high penalty risk.
- Spammy directory links: Bulk submissions to low-quality directories add nothing and can look manipulative.
- Comment spam: Dropping links in unrelated blog comments screams spam.
- Irrelevant links: Links from sites with no topical connection add little and can look unnatural.
The common thread is manipulation. Google’s spam policies exist to catch exactly these tactics. One strong editorial link can’t cancel out a profile stuffed with toxic ones—so avoid them from the start.
The safest path is earning links the right way. Contextual placements from relevant, real-traffic sites—like those in the HelloToGuestPost marketplace—build authority without the penalty risk.
Mini-takeaway: Avoid link farms, PBNs, paid dofollow links, and comment spam—manipulative links risk penalties that outweigh any short-term gain.
Build a Backlink Profile That Actually Works
Understanding the types of backlinks isn’t trivia—it’s what separates smart link building from wasted effort. When you know the difference between an editorial link and a spammy directory link, or between dofollow and nofollow, you can focus your energy on the links that genuinely build authority. The goal was never to collect the most links; it’s to earn the right ones from relevant, trusted sources.
Here’s your path forward. Prioritize editorial and guest-post links from sites in your niche, create link-worthy assets like original data or infographics, and keep your profile natural with a healthy mix of attributes. Steer clear of link farms, PBNs, and paid dofollow schemes that invite penalties.
Your single next step this week: audit your current backlink profile and sort your links by type. That quick review reveals whether you’re building real authority—or leaning on links that add little value. Ready to strengthen your profile the right way? Explore vetted, real-traffic placements in the HelloToGuestPost marketplace and start earning the high-quality links Google rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of backlinks in SEO?
The main types of backlinks split into two categories: by attribute (dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, and UGC) and by source (editorial, guest post, directory, forum, and image or infographic links). Attributes tell search engines how to treat a link, while the source determines how much authority and value that link actually carries.
What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
A dofollow link passes authority (link equity) from the linking site to yours, directly supporting rankings. A nofollow link includes a tag telling search engines not to pass authority. Dofollow links carry more direct SEO weight, but nofollow links still drive traffic and keep your profile natural—a healthy backlink profile includes both.
Which types of backlinks are the most valuable?
Editorial links are the most valuable because they’re earned on merit from trusted, relevant sites without payment or request. Guest post links rank next when placed on quality, relevant sites. Image and infographic links add solid value too. Overall, authority and topical relevance matter far more than the sheer number of links.
What is a backlink example?
A backlink example is when a food blog links to your original coffee-brewing study because they found it useful—that’s an editorial link. Other examples include a guest post you write linking back to your site, someone crediting your infographic with a link, or a business directory listing that points to your homepage.
What are sponsored and UGC backlinks?
Sponsored links use the rel=”sponsored” attribute to mark links you paid for or that came from advertising or affiliate arrangements. UGC links use rel=”ugc” to flag user-generated content like blog comments and forum posts. Both attributes help you stay compliant with Google’s guidelines by honestly labeling how a link was created.
Are nofollow backlinks worth anything for SEO?
Yes. While nofollow links don’t pass direct authority, they still deliver real value. They drive referral traffic, build brand awareness, and keep your backlink profile looking natural. A profile made up entirely of dofollow links can actually look suspicious to search engines, so a natural mix of both types is healthier.
How do backlinks and SEO work together?
Backlinks act as trust signals in SEO. When relevant, authoritative sites link to your pages, search engines interpret those links as votes of confidence, which helps your rankings. The relationship depends on quality—links from trusted, topically relevant sources strengthen your authority, while spammy or irrelevant links add little or can even hurt.
What backlink types should I avoid?
Avoid link farms, private blog networks (PBNs), paid dofollow links without a sponsored tag, spammy directory submissions, comment spam, and links from irrelevant sites. These manipulative tactics violate Google’s spam policies and risk penalties. No single quality link can cancel out a profile filled with toxic ones, so steer clear from the start.
How can I earn high-quality backlinks safely?
Earn high-quality backlinks by creating genuinely link-worthy content—original data, guides, or infographics—then promoting it to relevant sites. Guest posting on quality, niche-relevant blogs, offering expert commentary, and using vetted marketplace placements all work. The key is relevance and real value, which builds authority without the penalty risk of manipulative shortcuts.
How many types of backlinks for a website do I need?
There’s no fixed number—diversity matters more than hitting a quota. A natural profile includes a healthy mix of editorial, guest post, image, and even some nofollow and forum links across various attributes. This variety signals organic growth to search engines, while over-relying on any single type can look unnatural or manipulative.
