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Backlinks still sit at the heart of Google’s ranking system, but what matters today isn’t how many you collect; it’s what kind they are. In 2026, Google’s algorithm has become much smarter at detecting quality, context, and credibility.
Your website could have 500 backlinks, but if most come from irrelevant or spammy sources, they’ll do more harm than good.
To truly rank and build long-term authority, you need the right mix of backlink types, the ones that signal real trust. Let’s break it down and see which types of backlinks actually move the needle for SEO.
What Are the Two Main Types of Backlinks?
Every backlink on the internet falls into one of two categories: dofollow or nofollow. These two are the foundation of link-building, and understanding their role helps you decide which ones your website really needs.
A dofollow backlink passes authority, or “link juice,” from one website to another. When a trusted site links to your page with a dofollow tag, Google reads it as a vote of confidence.
A nofollow backlink, on the other hand, includes a tag that tells search engines not to pass authority. It doesn’t boost your ranking directly, but it adds diversity to your profile and helps your site look more natural to Google.
Both types have their place in a healthy SEO strategy. One fuels authority, the other builds authenticity.
Dofollow vs Nofollow Backlinks: What’s the Real Difference?
Let’s make this simple. Dofollow backlinks are the gold standard because they influence ranking by transferring authority from the linking site. These are the links you want from reputable domains like HubSpot, Forbes, or industry-specific blogs.
No-follow backlinks still matter more than most people think. They may not directly improve your PageRank, but they contribute to referral traffic, brand awareness, and a more organic backlink profile.
Here’s the real difference in practice:
- Dofollow: Directly impacts SEO rankings by passing link equity.
- Nofollow: Supports indirect growth through visibility and click-throughs.
- Ideal mix: Roughly 70% dofollow and 30% nofollow, though the balance depends on your niche.
If all your backlinks are dofollow, it can look unnatural. Google’s ranking systems prefer variety because they see it as a sign of genuine popularity, not manipulation.
5 Powerful Types of Backlinks That Influence Rankings
Beyond the basic dofollow and nofollow links, there are several other types of backlinks that can shape your site’s authority. Understanding them helps you build a strong, credible, and future-proof profile.
1. Editorial Backlinks
These are links you earn when another website naturally references your content because it’s valuable. Think of a journalist quoting your blog or a top industry publication linking to your data. They’re the most trusted backlinks in Google’s eyes.
2. Guest Post Backlinks
When you contribute content to another website with a link back to your own, it’s a guest post backlink. These links build credibility and expand your reach to new audiences, but only when the host site is relevant and reputable.
3. Resource Page Backlinks
Some websites maintain curated lists of useful tools or references. Getting your page listed there earns you a backlink from a highly trusted source.
4. Business Profile Backlinks
Adding your website to directories like Google Business Profile or niche listings helps local SEO and builds brand legitimacy.
5. Testimonial Backlinks
Writing a review for a partner brand or software tool often earns you a link on their testimonial page. Simple but effective.
Each of these backlink types adds something different: authority, visibility, or diversification. The goal is balance, a mix of backlinks that tells Google your site is both popular and credible.
6 Factors to Identify if a Backlink is High Quality
Not all backlinks help your SEO. In fact, some can pull your site down if they come from spammy, irrelevant, or low-authority pages. So, how do you spot a good one?
1. Relevance
The linking site should operate in your industry or a related field. A marketing agency getting a backlink from a cooking blog doesn’t make sense to Google.
2. Authority
Check the linking site’s Domain Authority (Moz), Domain Rating (Ahrefs), or Trust Flow (Majestic). High numbers usually mean stronger credibility.
3. Traffic Quality
A link from a website that attracts real, organic visitors is far more valuable than one from a dead or low-traffic domain.
4. Placement
Links within the main content carry more weight than those in the footer or sidebar. Contextual placement always wins.
5. Anchor Text
It should look natural and relevant, something like “see our SEO strategy guide,” not “cheap SEO services Delhi.”
6. Uniqueness
Google values diverse referring domains. A hundred links from the same site don’t count as much as ten links from ten different trusted sources.
In short, high authority backlinks are those that are relevant, contextual, and earned naturally through trust, not exchange.
How to Check the Type of Backlinks
Knowing what backlinks you have and what kind they are helps you shape your SEO strategy better. Thankfully, there are easy ways to check them.
1. Google Search Console
Go to Links → Top Linking Sites. You’ll see where your backlinks come from and which pages earn the most. This gives you a quick overview of your backlink landscape.
2. Ahrefs or Semrush
These tools show detailed insights: dofollow vs nofollow ratio, link authority, referring domains, and anchor text usage. They also flag potentially toxic links so you can disavow them before they harm your site.
3. Browser Extensions and SEO Tools
Extensions like NoFollow (for Chrome) highlight nofollow links instantly on any webpage. This is useful for checking competitor sites or guest posts.
4. Manual Inspection
You can also right-click a link and inspect its HTML. If it contains rel=”nofollow”, sponsored, or ugc, it’s not passing authority.
Checking your backlinks regularly helps ensure your link-building efforts stay clean, balanced, and effective.
Let iWrite India Help You Build Quality Backlinks That Rank
Strong backlinks are built on trust, smart strategy, and consistent effort. At iWrite India, we focus on creating meaningful connections that search engines value and audiences trust.
Here’s how we help your business grow through powerful backlink strategies:
- High Authority Link Building: Secure backlinks from reputable, relevant websites that actually boost your domain authority.
- Content-Driven Outreach: Create high-value articles, blogs, and resources that naturally attract backlinks over time.
- Competitor Link Analysis: Identify where your competitors earn links and design a plan to outperform them.
- Ongoing Backlink Audits: Track, analyse, and refine your backlink profile to ensure long-term SEO success.
If you’re ready to strengthen your website’s authority and reach new audiences, partner with iWrite India, a trusted SEO company in Delhi, and start building backlinks that deliver measurable results.
FAQs About Types of Backlinks
1. How many backlinks do I need to rank on Google?
There’s no magic number. What matters is the quality and diversity of your links. A few backlinks from trusted, relevant sources outperform hundreds of low-quality ones.
2. Can nofollow backlinks help SEO?
Yes. They don’t directly pass link equity but improve brand visibility and referral traffic. They also make your backlink profile look organic, which Google prefers.
3. How can I find high authority backlinks for my site?
Look for opportunities in guest posts, editorial features, and industry mentions. Tools like Ahrefs or Semrush can also help you spot where your competitors are getting their strongest links.
4. What backlinks should I avoid?
Avoid paid, spammy, or irrelevant backlinks, especially from link farms or directories that exist only for link exchanges. These can trigger Google penalties.
5. How often should I audit my backlinks?
Once every quarter is ideal. This helps you track new links, remove harmful ones, and measure progress toward your SEO goals.
