Types of Backlinks: Which Ones Actually Help Your SEO?

Not all backlinks are created equal. A link from a major news publication carries a fundamentally different signal than a link from a forum signature. Understanding the types of backlinks, and which ones move rankings, is the foundation of any effective link building strategy.

This guide breaks down every major type of backlink, explains its SEO value, and tells you which combinations to prioritize for your goals.

Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks

The most fundamental distinction in link types is whether a link passes ranking authority. Dofollow links transfer "link equity" from the linking page to your page. Nofollow links tell search engines not to follow the link for ranking purposes, though they still have value for brand awareness and referral traffic.

When does a nofollow link still matter?

Nofollow links matter for three reasons. First, they diversify your link profile. A backlink profile with 100% dofollow links looks suspicious. Second, they drive referral traffic. A nofollow link on Quora or Reddit can send thousands of visitors to your site. Third, they support brand credibility. Being mentioned on high-authority platforms builds entity associations regardless of follow status.

Types of Backlinks Ranked by SEO Value

Editorial backlinks (highest value)

Editorial backlinks are earned organically when another site references your content because it's genuinely useful. A journalist links to your research. A blogger recommends your tool in their article. These are the most powerful links available because they represent genuine endorsement without any financial exchange.

Guest post backlinks

Guest post backlinks are editorial placements in content you write for another website. You pitch an article idea, write the content, and include a contextual link. These are legitimate and valuable, though Google has cautioned against "link schemes" involving paid guest posts with exact-match anchors. Natural anchor text is the key differentiator between safe and risky guest post links.

Niche edit backlinks

Niche edits (also called curated links or link insertions) involve adding your link into an existing published article. The host page already has authority and traffic. Your link goes into an established, indexed piece of content. This makes niche edits one of the most efficient ways to acquire contextual links. See our niche edits guide for a full breakdown.

Web 2.0 backlinks

Web 2.0 backlinks are created on user-generated platforms like Blogger, Hashnode, and Tumblr. You control the content and the anchor text. They're lower-authority than true editorial links but higher-value than pure directory listings. They work best as part of a diverse profile, not as the dominant link type.

Directory backlinks

Directory submissions are the foundation of any new site's link profile. They establish your domain in established indexes, contribute to link diversity, and are easy to acquire. The value varies significantly by directory quality. Use our free backlinks database to find high-quality directories rather than submitting to every list you find.

Profile backlinks

Profile backlinks come from completing your profile on platforms like GitHub, Crunchbase, ProductHunt, and LinkedIn. These are often dofollow, easy to get, and permanent. They also build brand entity associations that help with Knowledge Graph visibility.

White label backlinks

White label backlinks are sold by agencies to resellers who present them as their own service. The link itself is the same as any editorial or directory link. The "white label" component refers to the business arrangement, not the technical nature of the link. Agencies use white label arrangements to resell link building without building an in-house team. See our full discussion of white hat link building for context on how these fit into a safe strategy.

Forum backlinks

Forum backlinks come from signature links or contextual mentions in community threads. Their value varies enormously. A relevant answer on a high-traffic niche forum with a signature link can drive both traffic and SEO value. Generic forum spam provides essentially no value and can hurt your profile. Quality contribution is the distinguishing factor.

Tier 2 backlinks

Tier 2 backlinks are links pointing to your backlinks, not directly to your site. The theory is that boosting the authority of your tier 1 links increases the link equity they pass to you. They're most effective when pointing at web 2.0 properties or guest post pages. Tier 2 links carry risk if they come from low-quality sources.

Rental backlinks

Rental backlinks are links you pay for on a monthly basis. When you stop paying, the link is removed. This model is unique because it lets you test placements before committing. If a rental link on a high-traffic page doesn't move your rankings, you remove it. Our rental backlinks service offers daily pricing with no long-term contracts.

Which Types Should You Focus On?

The answer depends on your situation, but there's a sequence that works for most sites:

Start with what's free and easy

Directory submissions, profile pages, and Web 2.0 properties. These build your foundation. Use our backlinks marketplace to access a full range of link types in one platform once you're ready to invest.

Add diversity as you grow

A healthy backlink profile includes at least 4 to 5 of the types above. An over-reliance on one source type (all directories, all Web 2.0, all guest posts) creates an unnatural-looking profile. Diversity is both a safety and a performance signal. Our backlink types guide breaks down every source type and what each one contributes to your profile.

Earn editorial links through content

The highest-value links can't be bought directly. They come from creating content, data, or tools that other people in your industry want to reference. This is slower, but the links it produces are permanent, algorithm-resistant, and increasingly important as Google's quality signals improve.

100% free. No credit card required.