If you want your website to appear on the first page of Google, understanding what is backlinks in SEO is crucial. Backlink are the foundation of off-page SEO and one of the strongest ranking factors used by Google. Simply put, backlinks are links from one website to another, and they act as a vote of trust.
In this guide, we will explore:
- The definition of backlink in SEO
- Types of backlink and how they work
- Backlinks in digital marketing and websites
- Difference between do-follow and no-follow backlinks
- Tools to check backlink, Domain Authority (DA), and Page Authority (PA)
- Best practices and mistakes to avoid
Types of Backlinks and How They Work
When it comes to SEO, backlinks are not all the same. Each type of backlink has its own value, purpose, and impact on search engine rankings. Here are the main types of backlink in SEO:
1. Do-Follow Backlinks
- These are the most valuable backlinks in SEO.
- They pass link juice (authority) from the source website to your website.
- Example: A blog post linking naturally to your article.
2. No-Follow Backlinks
- These backlinks include a
rel="nofollow"tag. - They don’t directly pass link juice but are still useful for referral traffic and building trust.
- Example: Links in blog comments or forums.
3. Sponsored (Paid) Backlink
- Created when you pay for a link placement.
- Should include the
rel="sponsored"attribute to avoid Google penalties.
4. UGC (User Generated Content) Backlink
- Generated by users through forums, blog comments, and discussion boards.
- They usually carry the
rel="ugc"attribute.
5. Contextual Backlink
- Backlink placed naturally within the content of a page.
- They are highly effective because they look natural and contextually relevant.
6. Image Backlink
- Created when someone links to your website using an image (like infographics, charts, or banners).
- Example: Infographic submissions and visual citations.
7. Profile & Directory Backlink
- Created by adding your website link in business directories, social profiles, or community listings.
- Example: Google Business Profile, Yelp, or niche directories.
To check whether backlink are do-follow or no-follow, you can use tools like Ahrefs, Neil Patel’s Small SEO Tools. etc
What is Backlinks in SEO?
A backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another. When a site with authority links to your content, it improves your ranking signals.
Example: If TechCrunch or Forbes links to your website, it signals to Google that your site is trustworthy.
Backlinks in SEO work like recommendations: the more quality backlink you earn, the more credibility your website gains.
What is Backlinks in Digital Marketing?
In digital marketing, backlinks are essential because they:
- Improve brand authority
- Drive referral traffic
- Boost search engine rankings
- Support content marketing campaigns
A well-planned backlink strategy is one of the most cost-effective ways to promote your business online.
What is Backlinks in Website SEO?
Your website content alone is not enough to rank. Search engines look at how many other websites are linking back to you.
Example:
- If your technology blog is linked by Wired or Mashable, your authority increases.
- If your site gets backlinks from spammy sites, your rankings may drop.
Thus, backlink in website SEO are all about quality over quantity.
What is Backlinks in Off-Page SEO?
Backlinks are the backbone of off-page SEO. They help Google evaluate your reputation and authority.
Effective off-page backlink strategies include:
- Guest posting
- Blog commenting
- Social bookmarking
- Business directories
- Forum submissions
- Influencer outreach
Each method adds credibility and helps improve rankings.
According to Google Search Central (SEO Guidelines) backlinks play a vital role in off-page SEO and website rankings.
What is Backlinks in On-Page SEO?
While on-page SEO focuses on content and keywords, internal linking also plays a role.
- Internal backlinks connect one page of your site to another.
- Outbound backlink point to external trusted websites.
Although not as powerful as external links, on-page backlink help with site structure and navigation.
What is Backlinks Example in SEO?
Imagine you write an article on “Best Investment Apps 2025.”
- If Forbes links to it → high-quality backlink.
- If a low-quality spammy blog links to it → toxic backlink.
👉 Example of a backlink in code:
<a href="https://yoursite.com/best-apps">Best Investment Apps</a>
Here, the anchor text tells Google about your page topic.
How Backlinks Work in SEO?
Backlinks in SEO work as votes of trust. Google checks:
- Relevance – Is the link related to your topic?
- Trustworthiness – Is it from an authority site?
- Anchor text – What keyword is being used to link?
The stronger these signals, the higher your site can rank.
How to Check DA and PA of a Website?
Before building backlinks, always check the Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA).
Best free tools include:
- Websiteseochecker.com
- Smallseotools.com
- DAPAchecker.org
High DA backlink (above 50) add more SEO value. Low DA backlink (below 20) can be ignored unless they are very niche-specific.
Complete Guide: How to Check DA and PA of a Website click the link read complete detail artical.
Best Tools to Check Backlinks
Backlink analysis is important to track your progress.
Popular tools:
- Ahrefs Backlink Checker – Detailed reports
- Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest – Beginner-friendly
- Small SEO Tools – Free and quick checks
These tools help you identify:
- Do-follow vs no-follow ratio
- Referring domains
- Anchor text distribution
White-Hat vs Black-Hat Backlink
Not all backlink are good for SEO.
- White-Hat Backlink → Guest posts, outreach, HARO, quality directories.
- Black-Hat Backlink → Link farms, paid spammy links, PBNs.
👉 Stick to white-hat backlink strategies for long-term SEO success.
Common Backlink Building Mistakes
- Buying low-quality backlinks in bulk
- Over-optimizing anchor text
- Ignoring no-follow backlink completely
- Not checking DA/PA before building links
Avoiding these mistakes ensures a natural backlink profile.
Conclusion
Backlink are the backbone of SEO. They drive authority, improve rankings, and build trust.
Key Points:
- Do-follow backlinks are more valuable but no-follow also adds visibility.
- Always check DA/PA before link-building.
- Use tools like Ahrefs, Neil Patel Ubersuggest, and Small SEO Tools.
- Avoid black-hat methods; focus on natural white-hat backlink.
If you build a balanced backlink strategy, your website will steadily climb the Google rankings in 2025 and beyond.
FAQs About Backlinks
A backlink is a link from one website to another that improves authority and trust.
They are links that improve visibility, brand awareness, and search rankings.
Do-follow backlink pass SEO value; no-follow do not, but still provide referral traffic.
Use tools like Ahrefs, Small SEO Tools, or Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest.
When a high-authority site like Forbes links to your blog, that’s a quality backlink.