15 Proven Link Types That Boost Your SEO (With Examples)

Links are one of the most powerful signals Google uses to rank websites.

And there’s data to back it up.

A study by Backlinko found that the number of unique domains linking to a page has the strongest correlation with higher rankings in search results.

But here’s the catch — not all links help.

Some links do nothing. Others can even hurt your SEO.

So how do you know which links actually move the needle?

That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this post. We’ll walk you through 15 types of links that can genuinely improve your SEO, complete with real-world examples and practical tips to build them the right way.

What is a Link?

A link is a clickable element that takes you from one page to another. It can be:

• A word
• An image
• A button

When clicked, it directs you to a different part of the web.

From a user’s perspective, links make browsing seamless. But for search engines, links act like pathways. They help Google:

• Discover new pages
• Understand your site’s structure
• Determine which pages are most important

Every link has two core components:

• Anchor text – The clickable text you see.
• URL – The destination it leads to.

Example:

Let’s say you have a blog post about link building tools, and you write:
“Here are the best broken link checker tools to try.”

If the words “broken link checker” are linked to this page:
https://linkpublishers.com/broken-links-checker,
that’s a hyperlink in action.

Search engines follow these links to crawl your site. That’s how they decide what content to index, how pages are connected, and which ones deserve more authority.

Why Link Type Matters in SEO Rankings

All links are not the same. Some help your site grow. Some do nothing. And some can pull your rankings down.

Google doesn’t just count links. It looks at –

• Where they come from
• How they are used
• And what they point to

A single link from a trusted website can be more powerful than dozens of random ones.

For example:

A link from a well-known blog or news site like Forbes or BBC shows Google that your content is valuable. But a link from a spammy directory or a low-effort blog? That might raise red flags. 

Placement matters too. A link placed naturally inside a blog article is stronger than one hidden in a footer or stuffed in a sidebar. If you care about SEO, You need to care about the type of links you build. And that’s exactly what we are going to cover next.

15 Types of Links That Help SEO (with Real Examples)

According to uSERP, around 67.5% of SEO experts believe that backlinks have a strong impact on search engine rankings. So if you are using links to grow your SEO – here are 15 types that actually help.

1. Internal links

Internal links connect one page of your website to another. They help visitors move through your content and also guide search engines. Google uses internal links to understand how your site is structured and which pages are most important. 

For example: Linking your blog post on SEO tools to your homepage is an internal link. 

You should always use clear and relevant anchor text. This improves both user experience and SEO. It also helps keep people on your site longer – which is a ranking factor.

2. External links

External links are links that point from your site to another website. These are useful when you want to guide readers to helpful resources. They also show search engines that your content is supported by trusted sources. 

For instance: Linking to a Google blog post when explaining algorithm updates is an external link. 

Always link to high-quality and relevant sites. This builds trust with readers and improves your content’s credibility. But don’t overdo it. Too many external links can distract readers and reduce time on site.

3. Backlinks

Backlinks are links that come from other websites to your site. They are also called inbound links. Google sees these as votes of confidence. When a trusted website links to your content – it signals that your page is helpful or valuable. 

For example: If a marketing blog links to your article on email campaigns, that is a backlink. 

These links can help you rank higher in search results. Focus on earning backlinks from websites that are related to your industry and have real traffic.

4. Editorial links

Editorial links are backlinks that you earn naturally when someone adds your link to their content. You don’t request or pay for them. These links are often placed in the body of articles, usually by bloggers, journalists, or publishers. 

For example: A journalist writing about SEO might link to your keyword research blog. 

This happens when your content is useful or supports a point. Editorial links are powerful because they come from trusted voices. To earn them, publish high-quality, original, and well-researched content that people want to reference.

5. Guest post links

Guest post links are backlinks you get by writing articles for other websites. You contribute a blog or article to another site and include a link back to your own. This helps you reach new audiences and build authority in your niche. 

For example: If you write a guest post on a digital marketing blog and link to your landing page, that’s a guest post link. 

Always choose sites with good reputations and real traffic. Your guest content should be useful, clear, and not overly promotional.

6. Niche edit links (link insertions)

Niche edit links are backlinks placed into existing content on another website. You don’t write new content – you reach out and request your link be added to a page that already exists. These are also called link insertions. 

For example: If there is a blog post on marketing tips and your tool fits the topic – you can ask the author to add your link. 

It is a fast way to get relevant links from aged content. Just make sure your link fits naturally and adds real value.

7. Resource page links:

Resource pages are curated lists of helpful tools or articles on a specific topic. Getting your content listed on one gives you a backlink. 

For example: If someone has a page called “Top Tools for Freelancers,” and your tool fits the list – you can request to be added. 

These links are powerful because the whole purpose of the page is to link out. They are also usually well-maintained. To get them, you will need solid content that’s actually worth being on that list.

8. HARO or journalist links

HARO stands for Help a Reporter Out. It is a platform where journalists ask for expert input. If your answer gets published, they will usually give you a backlink. These links often come from high-authority news sites or blogs. 

For example: A finance journalist might ask for budgeting tips. If you reply with a solid answer and they use it, your name and website link might be included. 

These links take effort but can bring serious SEO value. Sign up, respond fast, and be helpful.

9. Business directory links

These are links from online directories where businesses can list their name, website, and contact details. Not all directories are helpful. Some are spammy. But quality ones, like local business directories or niche-specific listings – still work well. 

For example: If you run a bakery in Dubai – getting listed on a trusted UAE business directory helps with both SEO and local visibility. 

Just make sure the site is real, active, and related to your field. Avoid mass submission tools – they often lead to low-quality links.

10. Forum links

Forum links come from online discussion boards like Quora or niche communities. These are not very powerful on their own, but they can still drive traffic and help with visibility. The key is to be helpful. 

For example: If someone asks about content tools and you reply with advice and mention your blog – that is a forum link. 

Avoid spamming. Instead, participate in threads where you can add value. Over time, forum links can build trust, bring referral traffic, and support your broader SEO efforts.

11. Image attribution links

If someone uses your original image, infographic, or chart on their website – they might give credit by linking back to your site. That is an image attribution link. It is a simple but effective way to build backlinks – especially if you create visuals others want to use. 

For example: A blogger might include your infographic in a post and link to your original article. 

To get these links – publish high-quality images and add a small credit line like “Source: yoursite.com” below the image.

12. Sponsorship or scholarship links

Sponsoring local events, contests, or offering scholarships can earn backlinks from trusted websites. These often include .edu domains – which are highly respected by search engines. 

For example: If you sponsor a university webinar and they add your link to the event page – that is a valuable backlink. 

The key is to offer real support – not just pay for links. This type of backlink for link building takes effort and budget, but the trust signals you earn can boost your site’s authority in Google’s eyes.

13. Press release links

Press release links come from news stories published about your brand. These usually include a link back to your website. 

For example: If you launch a new product and distribute a press release – media outlets may pick it up and include your link. 

Some of these links may be nofollow, but they still offer traffic and brand visibility. To get these links – write something newsworthy, use a good PR distribution service, or pitch your story directly to journalists in your industry.

14. Web 2.0 blog links

Web 2.0 links come from free platforms like Medium, WordPress.com, or Blogger. You create content on these sites and add links back to your main website. These are easy to set up – but they should not be your main link-building strategy. 

For example: You could write a short guide on Medium and link to your full post on your blog. 

Keep the content useful. Don’t spam these platforms. Used carefully, Web 2.0 links can support your SEO without hurting your reputation.

15. Social profile links

These are links from your social media bios or profile pages – like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube. While most are nofollow – they still help with branding and trust. Plus, they can send traffic to your site. 

For example: Adding your website link in your Instagram bio is a social profile backlink. 

Make sure your profiles are complete, active, and consistent. It is a small step, but it shows Google that your brand is real and connected across the web.

Types of Links to Avoid

Not every link is helpful. Some can actually do more harm than good. If you are trying to improve your rankings. These are the link types you should stay away from.

1. Paid Links on low-quality sites

Buying links might seem like a quick win. But if the site looks spammy + has no real traffic + exists only to sell links – it is a red flag for Google. These links can lead to penalties or a drop in rankings. A few paid links from low-quality blogs can ruin the trust you have built. If you pay for placements, do it carefully – only on real sites with real audiences.

2. Sitewide footer or sidebar links

Sitewide links appear on every page of a website – usually in the footer or sidebar. These can look unnatural – especially if they use exact-match anchor text. In the past, SEOs used them to pass lots of link juice. Today, they often raise suspicion. If the link looks like it is there just to manipulate rankings – Google may ignore it or worse, penalize your site.

3. Link farms and PBNs (private blog networks)

Link farms and PBNs are networks of websites built only for one reason – to sell backlinks. These sites don’t have real content, traffic, or purpose. Google has gotten very good at spotting them. If your site is connected to a link farm or PBN – you are risking a manual penalty. This can push your site out of search results completely. Always avoid shortcuts like these.

Ethical Strategies for Building High-Quality Backlinks

Building backlinks the right way takes time, but it works. Focus on quality, not shortcuts.

Here are simple and ethical ways to earn strong links.

• Create genuinely useful content – Write guides, tools, or research that solve real problems. When your content is helpful – people link to it naturally without needing a pitch.

• Write guest posts for real websites – Contribute valuable articles to trusted blogs in your niche. In return, you get a backlink inside the content or author bio.

• Use HARO and similar platforms – Sign up on sites like HARO (Help a Reporter Out). Respond to journalist queries with expert insights. If selected – you get a backlink from the article.

• Find and fix broken links – Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to find broken links on other sites. Suggest your page as a replacement. It helps both sides.

• Build relationships with website owners – Engage on LinkedIn, comment on blogs, and connect with creators in your space. Real relationships often lead to natural link opportunities.

• Turn unlinked brand mentions into links – If someone mentions your brand but doesn’t link to you – reach out and ask politely. Many are happy to update the post with a link.

• Publish visual content like infographics – Good visuals are often reused by bloggers and publishers. Add your site credit so they link back to you when they use your graphic.

How Link Publishers Can Help You Build Powerful Backlinks?

Want the results of strategic link building but don’t have the time or resources to do it all yourself? That’s where Link Publishers steps in. We connect you with real websites that drive real SEO impact, no shady PBNs, no spammy blogs, just authentic placements on trusted, high-traffic sites.

Here’s how we make link building easier and safer for you:

• Access to 100,000+ quality sites – You don’t need to search for good websites. We already have strong relationships with websites across every niche – ready for outreach or guest posts.
• 9000+ advertisers – We have a strong and growing network of advertisers who actively collaborate with us to build high-quality backlinks that drive real SEO results. 
• Manual outreach done for you – We reach out, pitch, and follow up – all while making sure your links look natural and are placed in quality content.
• Filter by traffic, DR, and niche – Inside our platform, you can choose the exact type of sites you want links from. No surprises. No risks.
• Focus on white-hat SEO – Every link we build follows Google’s guidelines. That means no spam, no shortcuts, and no danger to your domain.
• Free link building tools – From broken link checker to link analyzers. We offer free tools that help you track and improve your link-building strategy without added cost.
• Competitor backlink analysis – Want to see where your competitors are getting their backlinks? We’ll find and break down their link sources, so you can use that info to get more links and stay ahead.
• Complete control with a live dashboard – You get a user-friendly dashboard where you can manage every order and track links – all in one place.
• E-E-A-T content writing services – We also offer content writing and marketing services. Our team of native writers have years of experience in creating E-E-A-T content. 

So if you are ready to grow your traffic with high-quality backlinks – we are here to help.

Conclusion

If you want to grow your website and rank higher on Google – links still matter. But not just any links – the right ones. We have shown you 15 types of links that can truly improve your SEO. Some are easy to start with, like internal links and guest posts. Others, like editorial or HARO links, take more time but bring serious results.

The key is to focus on quality + relevance + ethical strategies. Don’t chase shortcuts. Build links that Google and your audience trust.

And if you need help – we are just one CLICK away.

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In case you missed!

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