Types of Backlinks in SEO
There are different types of backlinks in SEO, and they are incredibly important. There are also a lot of different ways to do link building. Focus on Backlink Quality Over Quantity The quality of your backlinks also matters as different types of backlinks have different values. Some backlinks can boost your site’s reputation, while others…
Keiran Griffiths | Last updated February 28, 2025
There are different types of backlinks in SEO, and they are incredibly important. There are also a lot of different ways to do link building.
- But how does backlinking help SEO?
- How many types of backlinks are there?
- And what are the best ones to help you get more customers and better search engine rankings?
Focus on Backlink Quality Over Quantity
The quality of your backlinks also matters as different types of backlinks have different values. Some backlinks can boost your site’s reputation, while others might not help much at all. Therefore, it’s important to know about the various types of backlinks and how to use them to your advantage.
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There you are new to link building, have some experience, or you are simply curious about the broader range of backlinks, we’ll explore what these links mean for your website’s performance.
By understanding and using a good backlinking strategy effectively, you can make your business more visible and attractive to customers and search engines alike.
Not All Backlinks in SEO Are Equal
Building backlinks for your website is like building bridges that connect from one website to another. When a website includes a link to yours, whether from your own pages or a different site, that’s a backlink added to your profile.
Links with the right anchor text are like a well-placed sign to bring more customers to a store.
Understanding how to build a solid link profile with different types of backlinks can lead to future customers and more leads down the line.
Diversity in Link Building
Not all backlinks are the same.
Just like different types of advertisements can have a different impact (like a billboard versus a commercial advertisement), the impact of different types of backlinks can vary.
Some external backlinks might come from articles mentioning your website, while others might be from listings in directories or mentions on social media. This variety is good because it:
- Strengthens Your Website’s SEO (hello, search engines)
- Reaches Different Audiences (hello, new customers)
- Builds a Stronger Online Presence (hello, business growth)
Ready to learn about the different types of backlinks in SEO and how they can strengthen your website? Let’s dive deeper.
The Different Types of Backlinks in SEO
So, how many different types of backlinks are there? Well, the variations can depend on how you categorize them. However, we commonly recognize several key groups.
- Editorial Backlinks
- Guest Blogging Backlinks
- Backlinks in Business Profiles
- Webinar Backlinks
- Comment Backlinks
- Internal Backlinks
- Sponsored or Paid Backlinks
- Naturally Acquired Backlinks
Each one of these different types of backlinks serves a purpose. Curious to see how these can be applied effectively? Keep reading for practical examples and strategies.
Best Types of Backlinks
Each type of backlink has its own characteristics and value in an SEO strategy.
1. Editorial Backlinks
Editorial backlinks are gained when your content is valuable (aka relevant, credible, and trustworthy) and other websites choose to link to it without you asking. They are among the best types of backlinks for SEO.
Why Editorial Links Matter
Search engines see editorial links as signs of quality and trustworthiness, which can boost your website’s ranking.
Example of Editorial Referring Links
You run a website about car maintenance and write a guide on electric vehicle care. An automotive news site finds your guide insightful and references it in their article about the rise of electric cars in British Columbia, providing a link to your blog. This editorial backlink is a nod to your expertise and the quality of your content in the automotive industry.
How to Get Editorial Links
Focus on creating content for your website that establishes you as an authority in your field. This can include research studies, in-depth industry reports, thought leadership articles, or valuable blog posts. Engaging and informative content has a higher chance of being picked up and linked to by other websites, blogs, or even news outlets.
2. Guest Posting Backlinks
These are the links you get when you write an article or a post for another website. In your article, you include a link back to your site.
Why Guest Posting Matter
It’s a great way to reach new audiences and get your website noticed by people who might not have found it otherwise.
Example of Guest Posting Backlinks
You own a travel agency and write a guest article for a popular travel magazine’s website about hidden tourist gems in Whistler. Within the article, you include a link to your agency’s tour packages page. These incoming links are a strategic way to attract readers interested in unique travel experiences to your service offerings.
How to Get Guest Blogging Links
Find websites or blogs in your industry that accept guest posts. Write a well-written, engaging article tailored to their (and your) audience. Reach out to these sites with a pitch, showing them how your content adds value to their readers. Make sure to include a natural backlink to your website in the content or author bio.
3. Backlinks in Business Profiles
These types of backlinks are natural links created when you set up profiles for your business on directories, industry-specific sites, or social media.
Why Links in Business Profiles Matter
They help in establishing your business’s online presence and make it easier for customers and search engines to find you.
Example of Business Profile Backlinks
You’re a financial advisor who sets up a LinkedIn business profile. In the profile, you provide a link to your professional website where potential clients can learn more about your services. This authoritative link on a professional networking site helps in building your online professional presence and credibility.
How to Get Business Profile Links
Set up profiles on platforms like LinkedIn, industry-specific directories, and business listing websites. Make sure your profiles are complete and professional, providing a clear description of your services or products along with a direct URL link to your website. Regularly update these profiles to keep them active and relevant.
4. Backlinks from Webinars and Events
Hosting or participating in webinars and events can earn you links back from event pages, promotional materials, and follow-up content.
Why Webinar and Event Links Matter
These types of backlinks can attract audiences interested in your events and increase your visibility online.
Example of Webinar Links
Your company develops project management software and hosts a webinar about boosting productivity in remote work. A tech events listing site includes your webinar with a link to your sign-up page. This incoming backlink from a webinar listing not only promotes your event but also drives potential customers to your SaaS product.
How to Maximize Webinar & Event Links
Plan and organize webinars, and workshops, or participate in industry events. Use your network to collaborate with event organizers, speakers, and industry influencers who can promote the event. Provide them with all the details, including a link to your website or event page, which they can use in their promotional materials and event listings.
5. Forum & Blog Comment Backlinks
Engaging in forums and commenting on blogs can naturally earn backlinks if you leave thoughtful comments and include a link back to your website.
Why Blog Comments Matter
This is a way to engage with communities and draw interested visitors to your website.
Example of Comment Backlinks
As a legal consultant, you participate in an online legal advice forum. In a discussion about business law, you leave a comment with insightful information and include a link to an article on your firm’s website that expands on the topic. This forum comment backlink can direct interested readers to your professional services.
How to Utilize Forum and Blog Comment Links
Engage in online communities related to your industry. This involves regularly reading blogs and participating in online discussions. When commenting, offer well-thought-out responses or opinions, and where relevant, subtly include a link back to a related article or page on your website. Avoid spammy or promotional comments, as these can be counterproductive!
6. Internal Backlinks
Internal backlinks are links that go from one page on your domain to another page on the same domain. These are the only backlinks entirely within your control, unlike external backlinks which depend on other entities.
Why Linking Internally Matters
These links help visitors navigate your website more easily and help search engines understand how your website is organized.
Example of Internal Linking
On your auto repair shop’s website, you post an article about the importance of routine tire maintenance. Within it, you link to another page on your site that offers tire maintenance services. This internal backlink not only helps with site navigation but also subtly promotes your services.
How to Maximize Internal Backlinks
Review the content on your website and identify any opportunities to link between pages. For example, link related blog posts to each other, or link service pages to relevant case studies or testimonials. Use descriptive anchor text for each URL that informs the reader about the page they are being directed to.
7. Sponsored or Paid Backlinks
These types of backlinks involve paying for a link to be included on another website. These need to be clearly labelled as “sponsored” or “paid”. While they can drive traffic, be cautious as search engines often view paid links skeptically and might not always positively impact SEO.
Why They Matter
They can quickly boost your website’s visibility.
Example of Sponsored Links
You run a boutique hotel and pay a well-known travel influencer to feature your hotel in their blog, including a link to your booking page. This one-way sponsored link can increase exposure to a travel-enthusiastic audience.
How to Ethically Get Sponsored or Paid Backlinks
Identify websites, blogs, or online magazines where your target audience spends time. Reach out to these platforms to see if there are any sponsored content opportunities. This could involve paying for a blog post, a feature article, or an advertisement that includes a link back to your site. Remember, you must make sure that any paid links are appropriately labelled to comply with search engine guidelines.
8. Naturally Acquired Backlinks
These are links you get naturally because someone found your content or service valuable and decided to link to it without any prompt from you.
Why Acquired Links Matter
It’s a sign that your content is genuinely useful or interesting, which search engines favour.
Example of Acquired Links
Your company releases a free tool for email automation. An industry-leading blog on digital marketing finds your tool valuable and includes a link to it in a post about marketing tools. This is a naturally-earned backlink due to the usefulness of your service or product in the marketing community.
How to Acquire Acquired Backlinks
In addition to creating valuable content, engage in community outreach and PR activities. This can include sending out press releases about significant company updates or achievements, participating in industry interviews, or contributing to community projects. These activities can lead to other sites linking back to your content or homepage organically.
Other Possible Types of Backlinks
Beyond the common types, there are other backlinks that can benefit your SEO.
- Directory and Resource Links: You get these from listing your site in directories or as a resource in a specific field.
- Free Tool Backlinks: These links are given when you provide a free tool or resource, and other websites link back to it.
- Badge Backlinks: They are created when you design a badge or award for other sites to display.
- Affiliate Backlinks: Generated links through affiliate marketing when others promote your products or services.
- Social Media Backlinks: Links from your content on social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more.
Wondering how to integrate these into your strategy? Contact us for a customized approach that works for you.
Build Quality Links for SEO
For any business aiming to boost its online presence, understanding, and using a variety of backlinks is key. If you want your website to grow more popular on search engines, aka in front of the eyes of more customers, it’s important to have a range of links on your website, as well as from other websites pointing to yours.
Maximizing your website’s potential with the right backlink profile is essential for SEO. Ready to grow your online presence? Let’s get started.
How 1st on the List Can Help Your Website
Mastering backlinks and SEO can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. At 1st on the List, we’re experts in tailoring SEO strategies to your specific needs to help your website get the visibility and ranking it deserves.
If you’re ready to boost your website’s performance with a backlink strategy that works for you, contact us at 1st on the List or toll-free at 1-888-262-6687.
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Keiran Griffiths
Keiran Griffiths is the President & Managing Director at 1st on the List. He works exclusively out of the Abbotsford head office and has extensive experience helping small and big brands grow their business. His background is in restaurant and hospitality management as well as business development (he started his own property management company in 2014). Up for any challenge, Keiran works with clients to assess their budget and investment capabilities and come up with a marketing solution that will earn them the biggest bang for their buck.
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