Imagine you wake up to your Google Console chart only to find your website’s traffic sinking further. Six months of substantial financial investment into link building barely moved the needle. The content is solid, the technical factors are sound, but something is clearly off.
You dug into your backlink profile. Most of the links you have are nofollow. Some are from social platforms, random forums, and irrelevant comment sections. Only a handful came from a local news outlet. There’s barely any link from reputable sources in your industry.
Link building is not just about volume. The types of backlinks, as well as quality, credibility, and source, matter just as much as quantity.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly about these types of backlinks, which ones do little or nothing, and how to build the links that drive traffic and boost rankings faster.
Highlights
- Not all backlinks are equal. Quality, relevance, and authority matter more than raw numbers.
- Dofollow links drive rankings. Focus on links from trusted, contextually relevant sites to pass SEO value.
- Nofollow and sponsored links still have a role. They can send traffic and grow brand awareness even if they don’t boost SEO directly.
- Editorial, press, and .edu/.gov links are gold. They signal trust to search engines and can dramatically lift authority.
- Mix the types of backlinks for best results. Combine guest posts, original research, social sharing, and directory listings to build a natural backlink profile.
Why are backlinks important?
Take backlinks as academic citations. The more citations a journal receives, the more reputable it becomes. Similarly, the more high-quality backlinks your website earns, the more trustworthy it appears to search engines.
In fact, a study by Backlinko confirms that websites earning the top position in Google have around 3.8x more backlinks than sites with lower rankings.
That explains why many SEOs refer to backlinks as votes of confidence. If those votes come from domains with strong authority and relevance, their impact is even greater. This includes higher ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs), more traffic, and potential for more conversions.
Of course, the type of backlink you get matters. For instance, forum links or backlinks from Quora and similar platforms may not significantly contribute to your ranking. The reason is that they are usually nofollow, meaning they don’t pass SEO value to your site. They may drive traffic, but they rarely directly influence search rankings.
So, as you prioritize numbers, also prioritize the type of links that truly provide SEO juice to your brand website.
10 types of SEO backlinks and how to get them
For easy understanding, we’ll split backlink types into three categories.
- Based on link attribute: This defines how search engines see the link. E.g., nofollow, dofollow, and sponsored links.
- Based on the link source: This defines where the link is coming from. E.g., editorial, guest posts, social media, forums, video and image backlinks, and press release mentions.
- Based on link authority: This defines each link based on the credibility and trust score of the referring domain. E.g., Links from Educational and Government sites, Business listings, and Directories.
Let’s quickly go through each.
1. Dofollow links
Dofollow backlinks are links that do not have the rel=”nofollow” HTML tag attached. The tag instructs search engines, such as Google, to prioritize these links and assign SEO importance, as they pass PageRank.
Image showing how to embed the nofollow tag
Screenshot provided by the Author
Besides ranking benefits, dofollow links also direct traffic from the referring domain to your website.
You can get dofollow backlinks from:
- Guest posting on other relevant websites
- Earning a spot on editorial blogs like CNN, BBC, or related pages
- Pitching your content via local news outlets
- Getting referenced on .edu and .gov pages
However, note that it’s up to any of these sources to decide whether to give you a dofollow link or add a nofollow tag—we’ll talk about this next.
If your website already has a good number of backlinks, you can use Ahrefs or SEMrush to check whether they are dofollow or nofollow links.
Screenshot provided by the Author
2. Nofollow links
Unlike Dofollow links, nofollow backlinks have the rel=”nofollow” HTML tag attached. This tag instructs search engines to de-prioritize or disregard the link.
You can check if a page’s backlink is nofollow or dofollow by using tools like SEMrush. Alternatively, you can manually confirm by opening the page’s source code.
- Press Control + U
- Then use Control + F to search for your link
- See if there’s a rel=”nofollow” tag
Screenshot provided by the author
Initially, there were no nofollow links. Virtually all backlinks influence ranking. However, SEO marketers turned this loophole into a link building strategy by posting multiple comments with links included on various websites and forums.
That means a low-value page could rank high if it left enough linked comments on other websites. Consequent Google updates, such as Google Penguin, fixed this with the introduction of Nofollow tags.
You can get nofollow backlinks from:
- Wikipedia
- Forums like Quora and Reddit
- Social media platforms
- Blog comments
That said, nofollow links still hold value. They may not directly boost your search rankings. But they can drive meaningful traffic to your website. More importantly, visitors who find your content valuable through a nofollow link might later reference your site with a dofollow link. That gives you long-term SEO benefits.
3. Sponsored links
Sponsored backlinks are links from paid posts or ad placements on another site. Search engines like Google recommend adding a rel=”sponsored” tag to show that the link is part of a commercial arrangement. As a result, these links do not directly pass SEO value.
Still, they can drive targeted traffic to your website, especially if placed on a high-traffic or trusted platform.
What if you decide not to add the tag? Well, you might end up being penalized by Google—or you might not. The risk increases if it’s obvious that the links were paid for. This often occurs when you engage with low-quality sources, such as link farms.
On the other hand, you significantly reduce that risk when outsourcing to a professional link building agency like uSERP. We use outreach, relevant placements, and high-quality content to ensure that each backlink is earned naturally and aligns with search engine standards.
4. Editorial links
Editorial backlinks are links you earn without prompting, not because you paid or contacted a website administrator for them. Typically, a highly reputable site notices your content and decides to reference it. Or your brand is of value to their content, and they link back to your page to appreciate the reference.
Since these links are organic and often come from trusted sources, search engines consider them strong signals of authority and credibility.
To build editorial backlinks:
- You can use sites like HARO, where you assist journalists writing for big websites with niche-specific answers
- Create high-quality content that’s worth linking back to
- Publish research papers that brands like Forbes, Hubspot, and other reputable sites can reference
There’s also something called unclaimed editorial mentions. For instance, in the example above, The Verge mentioned Twitch alongside Fireside but didn’t link back to Twitch. That’s a missed opportunity for a high-authority backlink.
You can track these mentions using tools like BrandMentions, SEMrush, or Ahrefs Alerts. Once spotted, reach out politely to the editor or website admin. Ask if they can add a link to the relevant information.
5. Guest posts links
Unlike editorial links, guest post backlinks are prompted. You reach out to a website relevant to your niche and ask to contribute an article. Within that article, you include a link back to your site, usually in the body or author bio.
These links can be highly valuable if placed on reputable, contextually relevant sites, such as HubSpot or Forbes.
Hubspot Guest Posting guidelines
Since you’re providing value to the referring domain with a quality piece, the link offered is often dofollow. This boosts your SEO, directly impacts ranking, and directs relevant traffic to your site.
To gain dofollow links from guest posting:
- Look for websites in your niche that accept guest posts. You can search “[your niche] + guest post” on Google. It’ll bring out a list of websites relevant to you
- Find the guest posting requirements and submit your content to the provided contact address
- Add your link with a relevant anchor text
Note that guest posting on another website is typically free. Avoid websites that request monetary compensation to publish your piece in exchange for a link building opportunity. Also, check the spam score of each site before pitching.
6. Social media and forum links
Social media backlinks originate from platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram. They appear when your website link is shared in a post, comment, bio, or story. Similarly, forum links come from discussion threads on platforms like Reddit, Quora, or niche-specific forums.
These links are typically nofollow. So, they do not directly influence ranking or make your site look more credible to search engines. However, they’re a great source to refer traffic to your pages.
For instance, let’s say you own an ecommerce business. You post a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram showing how your product is made, and include a link to the product page in your bio. The link may be nofollow, but it can drive targeted traffic and even lead to conversions.
Or take YourDoctors’ LinkedIn profile, a platform that provides access to online doctors, as an example. Their website link, referenced in the bio section, helps traffic from LinkedIn navigate to the brand’s website.
7. Video and image links
Video and image backlinks are those obtained by creating valuable media files. Let’s say you created an illustration depicting publicly gathered statistics in the SaaS industry. The content team of a SaaS brand might use it in their content and reference your website in the process. That’s one backlink in.
Another added advantage is image SEO. The more people link back to your image source, the more likely it is to rank high on search engines. Take a look at DevSquad’s ranking in the image section of Google search.
Screenshot provided by the Author
We analyzed the image source or blog using SEMrush and found it had 603 backlinks. 195 were valuable dofollow links from high-quality sites.
Screenshot provided by the Author
Other top image sites also had a number of backlinks to their names. The same thing applies to video backlinks.
To earn links this way:
- Create valuable infographics or illustrations worth linking to
- Gather market data and turn it into insightful animations or real photography
- Create valuable content containing these files and distribute it
Brands like Invespro have grown their backlink profile organically this way.
8. Press mentions backlinks
Backlinks from press mentions come when media outlets or news websites mention your brand and link back to your site. This typically occurs after you launch a product, make a significant announcement with global impact, or release expert quotes and data reports.
Since they come from highly authoritative sites, a dofollow link can be a big boon for your brand. A good source of real traffic and SEO benefits.
To get one,
- Pitch relevant stories to journalists
- Issue press releases through websites like PN Newswire or Businesswire. Try to focus on product launches, significant partnerships, or unique research findings
You can also utilize HARO and Help A B2B Writer.
9. Backlinks from .edu and .gov sites
Backlinks from .edu and .gov sites are highly credible and authoritative. A few links can massively impact your trust score and build the search engine’s confidence in your website.
The only caveat? They’re about as hard to get as hiking all of Kilimanjaro in an hour. Take Harvard.edu, for example, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Getting them to mention your brand, let alone link back to it, takes serious credibility and effort.
Yes, you imagined right. A lot. The same applies to .gov sites.
But difficult does not mean impossible:
- Create helpful resources, such as guides or tools, relevant to students or the public
- Collaborate with professors or departments for research or guest content
- Support community projects or events and get listed as a sponsor
- Contribute expert quotes or data for academic or governmental publications
Unconventional ways? Rashiq Habib, a contributor for SEO Learning Space, suggested befriending University librarians. Not everyone knows one. But give it a try if you do.
10. Links from business listings and directories
First off, these types of backlinks are usually nofollow.
They come from reputable platforms that list businesses alongside their website links, contact info, and sometimes, reviews. However, don’t neglect their importance. Business and directory listings links can provide local SEO benefits, enhance brand visibility, and drive referral traffic to your site.
Google Business Profile helps your website gain more visibility, local SEO benefits, and a nofollow link
Examples of business listings and directories include:
- Google Business Profile
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Bing Places
- Foursquare
- Hotfrog
- Chamber of Commerce sites
Simply visit these pages, create a business profile, or claim to get nofollow backlinks. It might take days or a few weeks to reflect.
3 tips to build and maximize backlinks more effectively for your business
According to Backlinko, backlinks are one of the top three Google ranking factors that truly matter. The remaining two are high-quality content and page experience. In one sense, this conclusion underscores the importance of other factors. But it also highlights why backlinks should be a core part of your marketing strategy, not an afterthought.
Here are a few tips to build and maximize these links more effectively.
1. Create original research or case studies
People love facts backed by solid research. Many brands need them, but can’t afford to run studies. That’s where you come in. Do the groundwork and publish original reports or case studies they’ll want to reference and link to.
Of course, launching research or producing industry reports doesn’t come cheap. If you’re working with a tight budget, there are several practical ways to alleviate the pressure. You can apply for small business grants, explore low-interest credit options, or join startup funding programs.
If you’re already dealing with high-interest loans, services like Freedom Debt Relief might help you free up some room financially.
Suppose you’re unable to invest in research from scratch, you can employ Invespro’s content strategy. Compile the most recent statistics from various brands and present them in an infographic on your website. Ensure you attribute the sources of each statistic.
Journalists and other niche writers will reference your infographics in their content if they are valuable.
2. Host webinars or niche events for mentions
Webinars and niche events, such as public or private workshops, help you build authority. However, it also puts your brand out there for link-building opportunities. First, press release sites relevant to your niche will likely pick up on it and distribute it further.
Secondly, bloggers, brand owners, and other attendees might post their participation on social media. Or they reference it in their website content, like Mike King did after attending Google’s I/O 2025 event.
More links mean more participation. Ensure that you promote your events on social media and other outlets, either organically or through paid advertising, if possible. Then, encourage them to give a shout-out if they can.
3. Plan for conversion scalability
The outcome of a well-implemented link building strategy is a significant improvement in your rankings, provided other SEO factors, such as content quality, are in place. That means more traffic, more leads, and more chances to convert.
If there’s no proactive preparation for these changes, you might miss out on growth, the exact reason you’re building backlinks. For instance, more leads often result in more questions, support tickets, and customer issues. Unanswered or improperly handled queries lead to dissatisfied and discouraged leads.
So, you should plan to expand your support team to handle the increased demand. Alternatively, consider outsourcing to a reliable white-label support provider if there’s no in-house capacity. This will also help your team focus on core SEO activities while offloading non-SEO tasks to a more efficient system.
Wrapping up
Backlinks are gold. They’ve always been, and will still be, at least for as long as credibility and vote of confidence matter to search engines. To grow your business and not just appear in search results, but also attract clicks, you need to build the right backlinks.
Start by knowing what each type of backlink brings.
Nofollow links from social media and forums won’t impact your SEO rankings, but can provide traffic if put in the right place. Dofollow links from relevant and reputable websites add SEO benefits, but their impact depends on the authority and credibility of the source website. Editorial and link mentions from the press are high-quality and should be at the top of your list.
To build these links, you can write guest posts, use HARO, create original reports, design infographics that can be referenced, host webinars, or let us do all the heavy lifting for you.Ready to take your backlink strategy to the next level? Book a free strategy call with uSERP and let our team build high-authority, relevant links that actually move the needle on rankings, traffic, and revenue.
