SEO Term Definition
Types of Backlinks
Backlinks vary in quality and value based on whether they are followed or nofollowed, editorial or paid, from relevant or irrelevant sources, and from high-authority or low-authority domains.
Reviewed by Alexander Yarovenko · Updated: 2026-07-03
Types of Backlinks in SEO
Not all backlinks are equal. The value and risk of a backlink depends on multiple factors. Understanding the different types helps you build a safer, more effective link profile.
By Link Attribute
| Attribute | Description | Passes link equity? |
|---|---|---|
| Dofollow | Standard link; default for all links | Yes |
Nofollow (rel="nofollow") | Tells Google not to follow; used for UGC, untrusted links | Officially no; may pass minimal signal |
Sponsored (rel="sponsored") | Indicates paid link | No |
UGC (rel="ugc") | User-generated content (forums, comments) | No |
By Source Type
- Editorial links — voluntarily placed by another site's editor/writer because they found your content valuable. Highest quality and safest.
- Guest post links — links placed within articles you wrote for another site. Quality varies based on site authority and natural placement.
- Directory links — business directory listings. Can be valuable (Yelp, industry directories) or spammy (low-quality link farms).
- Broken link reclamation — replacing broken links on other sites with links to your content. Editorial in nature; high-quality.
- Paid links — links acquired via payment. Violate Google's guidelines; risk of manual penalty.
- PBN links — Private Blog Network links. High-risk, high-reward historically; increasingly penalised.
- Forum/comment links — usually nofollowed; minimal SEO value but can drive traffic.
By Quality Indicators
- High-quality: High DR, relevant topic, from a real site with real traffic, editorial placement in body text
- Low-quality: Low DR, irrelevant topic, site with no real traffic, in footer or sidebar, mass-produced
- Toxic: From spam networks, hacked sites, adult/gambling sites (if irrelevant), or sites with pure-spam content