Introduction
Let’s be honest—SEO may feel like decoding a mysterious algorithm. But there’s one area you can master with some clarity: backlinks. If you’ve ever wondered why some websites are ranked higher on Google, backlinks play a huge part in it. So let’s break it down.
In this blog, we’ll look into the kind of backlinks in SEO, what they are, and why they are important. If you’re a beginner, digital marketer, or small business owner, knowing backlinks is your cheat code to better SEO.
What Are Backlinks?
Backlinks are simply links from one website to another. If someone links to your site, you’ve earned a backlink. Think of it like a vote of confidence—Google views backlinks as an indication that your content is trustworthy, useful, and worth ranking higher in search results.
Why Are Backlinks Important?
Backlinks improve domain authority, drive organic traffic, and boost search-engine rankings. But here’s the catch—not all backlinks are equal. Some can give your site a strong push; others might pull you down. Forbes underscores that earning high-quality backlinks is still a cornerstone of modern SEO.
So, let’s jump into the types of backlinks in SEO that every beginner should know.
1. DoFollow Backlinks
These are SEO golden tickets. A DoFollow backlink instructs search engines to pass “link juice” on, giving more authority to your website. They help improve your rankings and are considered valuable by Google.
Example: If a reputable news site links to your blog, that’s a DoFollow backlink—and it’s SEO gold.
2. NoFollow Backlinks
A NoFollow backlink contains a tag that instructs search engines not to pass on any link authority. Search Engine Journal confirms that these links generally do not influence rankings. They still drive referral traffic and diversify your backlink profile.
Interesting fact: All the links on social-media sites such as Instagram or Facebook are typically NoFollow.
3. Editorial Backlinks
These happen naturally when someone mentions and links to your content in their article. They’re among the most powerful backlinks because they’re organic and trusted by Google.
How to get them? Publish valuable content, original research, or insightful blogs.
4. Guest Post Backlinks
When you write an article for a different website and include a link back to your site, that’s a guest post backlink. It’s a win-win—you get exposure and a backlink; they get fresh content. Just make sure it’s not spam. Quality matters more than quantity.
5. Directory Backlinks
These are from online directories where companies are listed. Although they are not highly authoritative, they assist with local SEO and enhance visibility.
Tip: Utilise authoritative directories such as Google Business Profile, Yelp, or industry-specific listings.
6. Blog Comment Backlinks
You may comment on other blogs with a link back to your site. But watch yourself—if used too much or on the wrong sites, it becomes spammy. Use it occasionally and only on relevant, good blogs.
7. Broken Link Backlinks
This is a good trick that involves finding broken links on other websites and suggesting your content as a substitute. It benefits them and provides you with a backlink in return.
Tools such as Ahrefs or Broken Link Checker can help you spot these opportunities.
8. Tier 3 Backlinks
These are backlinks that link to another backlink rather than directly to your site. They’re part of a link-pyramid strategy and typically regarded as low-quality. Newbies should steer clear unless they fully grasp black-hat SEO risks.
What Makes a Backlink Valuable?
Several factors determine a backlink’s quality:
- Relevance: Is the linking site relevant to your content?
- Authority: Is it from a high-domain-authority site?
- Placement: Is the link in the body of the content or in the footer?
- Anchor text: Is it embedded in relevant, natural-sounding text?
Not all backlinks are good. Some can harm your SEO if they come from irrelevant sources. So always aim for quality over quantity.
How to Get Backlinks the Right Way
Here are some proven strategies:
- Create high-quality, original content
- Write guest blogs for reputable sites
- Share infographics and videos
- Build relationships with other bloggers
- Use tools to monitor your backlink profile
Also, work with professionals if you’re serious about ranking higher. For example, a trusted SEO company in Coimbatore can help you build a clean, effective backlink profile tailored to your niche.
FAQs About Types of Backlinks in SEO
1. What are the different types of backlinks in SEO?
There are several types, including DoFollow, NoFollow, editorial, guest post, directory, blog-comment, broken-link, and Tier 3 backlinks. Each has a different impact on your SEO.
2. What are the three types of backlinks?
Broadly, backlinks can be grouped into natural backlinks (earned organically), manually built backlinks (through guest posting and outreach), and self-created backlinks (via directories, forum comments, etc.).
3. What are Tier 3 backlinks?
Tier 3 backlinks are low-quality links pointing to Tier 2 backlinks (not directly to your site). They’re typically automated and used in black-hat SEO practices—best avoided by beginners.
4. How many types of backlinks are in SEO?
There’s no exact number, but commonly discussed types include DoFollow, NoFollow, editorial, guest post, directory, broken links, and more. The key is focusing on relevant, high-authority backlinks.
Final thought: Understanding the types of backlinks in SEO is just the beginning—put this knowledge to work, earn quality links, and watch your search visibility climb.
