TL;DR: 22 Backlink Types for SEO Success Explained
Not all backlinks are equal in helping your website rank. Focus on quality links like editorial backlinks, HARO mentions, and links from high-authority sites (.edu or .gov). Avoid risky ones like spammy comments, link farms, or irrelevant directories that can harm your domain authority. Building a strategy tailored for your niche and updating regularly is crucial.
If you're just starting to develop link-building tactics, our resource on how to choose the right link-building agency can guide your decisions.
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22 Types of Backlinks That Rank (And The Ones That Don’t)
Backlinks remain one of the most influential factors in determining your website’s SEO performance. But not all backlinks are created equal. Some can supercharge your rankings, while others can land you in Google’s penalty box. As a serial entrepreneur and founder of Fe/male Switch, I’ve often seen founders waste both time and money pursuing strategies that do more harm than good.
In 2026, post-Google algorithm updates, the rules are clearer than ever: quality, relevance, and diversity of link types matter most. Low-value or manipulative backlinks no longer work. Instead, strategic link building must be treated like a long game, requiring intentionality and a clear method of selection tailored to your niche.
This guide outlines 22 backlink types, ranking their effectiveness, risks, and the measures you should take to maximize their value. Let’s explore the strategies that actually move the needle.
1. What Are Backlinks and Why Are They Crucial?
Backlinks are simply hyperlinks from one website to another. They signal to search engines like Google that other websites consider your content valuable and credible. Think of them as online endorsements, you’re more likely to trust a restaurant with dozens of good reviews than one with none, right?
That said, not all backlinks carry the same weight. Quality backlinks can improve your domain authority and organic rankings, while spammy links can hurt your visibility or invite penalties. This distinction is critical, especially if you’re running a startup with limited resources.
- Strong Backlinks: Feature connections with high-authority, niche-relevant websites.
- Weak Backlinks: Involve spammy, irrelevant, or low-authority sources.
- NoFollow Backlinks: A signal that search engines should not pass authority; these are fine but shouldn’t dominate your strategy.
Google’s 2026 updates emphasize trustworthiness, content relevance, and user-focused placement. Now let’s explore the types of backlinks you should prioritize, and those you should avoid like the plague.
2. What Are the Best Types of Backlinks to Prioritize?
Here are 14 backlink types that can genuinely improve your SEO rankings. These are structured for businesses and startups seeking long-term results:
- Editorial Backlinks: Links naturally placed inside high-quality articles because your content or data served as a credible resource. Example: A guest writer quoting your startup’s findings in industry publications.
- Guest Post Backlinks: Secured when you contribute well-written content to third-party blogs, linking naturally to your website. Focus on high domain authority (DA 60+).
- Digital PR Backlinks: Generated through newsworthy announcements or data-driven stories that are picked up by journalists.
- HARO Links: Respond to journalist requests on Help A Reporter Out (HARO) to get cited in high-authority publications.
- Niche Edits: Insertions into existing authoritative blog posts, giving them added value while linking to key resources on your site.
- Sponsorship Links: Appear in acknowledgment of your sponsorship on events, podcasts, or charitable causes, helping with niche relevance.
- .EDU or .GOV Links: Hard to obtain but significantly boost authority due to their trustworthiness.
- Social Media Mentions: While not direct backlinks, algorithms use these as trust indicators for brand authority. For example: successful LinkedIn content linking to your website.
- Testimonial Links: Created when you write positive, specific feedback for services/tools you use, which brands often link to for SEO credibility.
- Webinar or Podcast Links: Thrive in niche spaces where founders and companies share their expertise for external audiences.
- Content Aggregator Links: Inclusion on high-traffic platforms like Medium or Quora spaces can multiply organic traffic.
- Document Sharing Links: Use platforms like Slideshare or Docsend with relevant landing page URLs.
- Resource Page Links: Get added to ‘Best Tools’ or ‘Top Websites’ roundup pages relevant to your industry.
- Product Feature Links: Rely on personal outreach to reviewers/bloggers to request honest reviews that link back to your offer.
Pro Tip: Develop content so useful that people can’t ignore citing you, like proprietary data or whitepapers that are easily more shareable than word-heavy blogs. This is an ethos I follow consistently via Fe/male Switch and CADChain.
3. What Types of Backlinks Should Be Avoided?
When chasing backlink strategies, you’ll frequently encounter offers for cheap ‘high-ROI’ links. These are likely part of schemes that will damage your growth. Here’s what to avoid:
- Spam Comments: Linking your site in blog comments is frowned upon and can trigger penalties.
- Link Farms: Networks solely set up to exchange artificial links. These are explicitly penalized by Google.
- Duplicate Anchor Text Links: If all your backlinks use identical text (e.g., “best SEO software”), this raises red flags.
- Footer Links: Irrelevant, mass-produced links placed in the footer of unrelated low-authority pages.
- Low Content Directories: Grabbing dozens of links from irrelevant directories dilutes trust signals.
If the backlink offer feels too good to be true, like hundreds of backlinks for $10, it likely is.
4. How Can You Start Building the Best Links?
Building a high-quality backlink network requires strategy and perseverance. Here are steps I recommend:
- Audit your current links: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze existing backlinks for quality and identify toxic links.
- Create “linkable” content: Develop resources like guides, infographics, and proprietary datasets that naturally attract editorial links.
- Pursue HARO opportunities: Sign up and actively contribute to journalists’ requests.
- Request testimonials: Reach out to brands you admire and offer specific testimonials in return for backlinks.
- Leverage your network: Collaborate with peers or mentors with established blogs for guest posting opportunities.
Remember, backlinks are not a one-and-done task. Schedule quarterly reviews to ensure your strategy remains aligned with Google’s evolving expectations.
5. Final Thoughts
Effective backlink strategies in 2026 revolve around quality and relevance. Pursuing quick-fix hacks is no longer viable, timeless principles like building authentic relationships, sharing expert knowledge, and providing unique value should guide your efforts.
If you’re serious about dominating your niche, focus your energy on creating real value. Backlinks will follow organically from there.
FAQ: Understanding Backlinks and Their 2026 SEO Impact
Why are backlinks still critical for SEO in 2026?
Backlinks remain a key ranking factor, signaling authority and trustworthiness to search engines. Quality links from relevant sites drive domain authority and improve your rankings. Discover actionable tips for SEO backlink strategies.
What makes high-quality backlinks different from low-quality ones?
High-quality backlinks stem from authoritative, niche-relevant sites, offering genuine value to users. In contrast, low-quality links, such as spammy blog comments, can trigger penalties. Learn about targeting quality links strategically.
Which types of backlinks should startups focus on?
In 2026, startups should prioritize editorial backlinks, guest posts on high-domain-authority websites, and links from trusted sources like .EDU or .GOV pages. These rank high in relevance and authority. Explore top backlink strategies for startups.
Are guest posts still effective for SEO?
Yes, guest posts remain effective if published on high-authority, niche-specific blogs. Use these opportunities to contribute valuable content while earning natural backlinks. Learn how to leverage guest blogging for backlinks.
What are digital PR backlinks, and why are they vital?
Digital PR backlinks are earned through newsworthy announcements or data-driven stories picked up by reputable media. These links build authority and brand visibility. Learn why digital PR builds long-term authority.
How can startups safely avoid backlink penalties?
Avoid link farms, spam comments, and high volumes of duplicate anchor text links, as these raise red flags. Instead, focus on organic and meaningful placements. Use tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs for regular backlink audits.
What are HARO links, and how can they be used?
HARO (Help A Reporter Out) links are citations earned by responding to journalist requests. They are an excellent way to get featured in high-authority publications. Explore actionable approaches for HARO success.
Are NoFollow backlinks useful for SEO?
While NoFollow links don’t directly pass authority, they offer trust signals, referral traffic, and a balanced backlink profile that Google's algorithms appreciate in 2026. Understand how to balance link strategies effectively.
Is it still worthwhile to pursue local business directory backlinks?
Yes, especially for startups targeting a regional audience. Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information boosts local SEO rankings and visibility within local map packs. Discover the importance of directory-based linking.
How can startups prioritize cost-effective backlink strategies?
Startups should focus on free platforms such as HARO, testimonials, and editorial guest posts while optimizing content to naturally attract links. Explore practical strategies for cost-efficient link building.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
