How Many Types of Backlinks Are There in Off-Page SEO?

Backlinks are the foundation of off-page SEO, significantly influencing a website’s authority, credibility, and search engine rankings. However, not all backlinks are created equal. Some can enhance your SEO strategy, while others may harm your rankings if not managed properly.

In this guide, I’ll explore the different types of backlinks in off-page SEO, their impact on your website, and best practices for acquiring high-quality links.

Types of Backlinks in Off-Page SEO

1. Do-Follow vs. No-Follow Backlinks

Do-Follow Backlinks

Do-follow backlinks pass “link juice” from the referring website to the linked website, helping improve domain authority and search rankings. Search engines recognize these links as endorsements, making them highly valuable.

No-Follow Backlinks

No-follow backlinks contain a rel="nofollow" tag in the HTML, instructing search engines not to pass link equity. While they don’t directly impact SEO rankings, they can still drive traffic and improve brand visibility.

How to check that backlinks are Do-Follow or No-Follow?

If you want to check whether a link is dofollow or nofollow, go to any page, right-click on the link, and then choose "Inspect."

It will open an HTML bar on the right side.

Remember that by default, or without any clear mention, every link is dofollow, but if it is mentioned with "noopener" or "nofollow," then it is a nofollow link.

see below in the screenshots:

2. Natural vs. Manually Built vs. Self-Created Backlinks

Natural Backlinks

• Earned organically when others link to your high-quality content.

• Example: A well-researched blog post getting cited by a journalist. I've written an amazing blog post on "how to create backlinks in off-page SEO," and I've naturally backlinked to Ahrefs and Semrush as leading SEO tools.

Manually Built Backlinks

• Acquired through strategic outreach, partnerships, and guest blogging.

• Example: Collaborating with influencers or industry experts for a feature. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, a high authority website is giving backlinks to a VPN site, and that's a guest post.

Self-Created Backlinks

• Created by adding links in forums, blog comments, and directories.

• Can be low-quality and risky if overused.

Example of Self Created Backlinks:

A user is posting a response to a Quora answer with a link to their website. If I answer any relevant question on Quora about off-page SEO and add a link to my website, 100xGrip, that's called a self-created backlink.

3. High-Quality vs. Low-Quality Backlinks

High-Quality Backlinks

• Come from authoritative websites with high domain authority.

• Are contextually relevant and naturally integrated within content.

• Example: A link from Forbes or Wikipedia to your article. Or see below a high authority website, LivePositively, giving a backlink to DesignsValley.

Low-Quality Backlinks

• Originate from spammy, irrelevant, or low-authority websites.

• Often associated with paid links, link farms, or private blog networks (PBNs).

• Can lead to Google penalties if misused.

• Example: Money Robot software offering free or paid links; this type of service is considered black hat SEO practices.

4. Editorial Backlinks

Editorial backlinks are natural links earned when websites reference your content as a reliable source.

See example below:

These are among the most valuable backlinks and typically appear in:

• News articles.

• Research studies.

• Industry blogs.

5. Guest Post Backlinks

Guest posting involves writing articles for other websites in exchange for a backlink. For example you can see clearly in the following screenshot hubspot is giving backlink to thehustledaily.

This method is effective for:

• Building authority in your niche.

• Expanding your audience reach.

• Generating high-quality referral traffic.

Best practice: Ensure the website is reputable and relevant to your industry to maximize benefits.

6. Profile Backlinks

These backlinks are created on social media platforms, business directories, and author bio sections.

Example:

Common sources include:

• LinkedIn profiles

• Crunchbase

• About.me

While they may not carry as much weight as editorial backlinks, they contribute to branding and online presence.

7. Forum & Blog Comment Backlinks

Engaging in relevant forums and blogs can help earn backlinks through:

• Answering industry-related questions.

• Leaving insightful comments on blog posts.

However, avoid spammy behavior, as excessive self-promotion can lead to link penalties.

8. Web 2.0 Backlinks

Web 2.0 platforms like Medium, Tumblr, and WordPress.com allow users to publish content and link back to their main websites. While they can be useful, ensure that the content remains high-quality and relevant.

9. Broken Link Building

This strategy involves:

• Finding broken links on authoritative websites.

• Reaching out to the site owner with a replacement link to your relevant content.

Easy way to find broken links with SEMrush:

Link replacement email outreach template:

Amazing opportunity to build backlinks.

This is a white-hat SEO method that benefits both parties and helps maintain a healthy link ecosystem.

The Role of Backlinks in SEO

Backlinks are a significant ranking factor for search engines. Google’s algorithm prioritizes:

• Quality over quantity: A few high-authority backlinks outweigh hundreds of low-quality ones.

• Relevance: Links from related niches carry more weight.

• Diversity: A diverse link profile signals credibility.

Excessive use of manipulative link-building tactics can lead to penalties, so always prioritize ethical practices.

Conclusion

Backlinks play a crucial role in off-page SEO, but not all links are equally beneficial. Understanding the different types of backlinks helps you build a strong, organic link profile that boosts search rankings and authority.

Focus on earning high-quality, natural backlinks while avoiding spammy, low-quality links. By leveraging strategies like guest posting, editorial mentions, and broken link building, you can create a sustainable SEO approach.

Need help with your backlink strategy?

Contact our SEO experts for a customized link-building plan!