Backlinks are links from one website other than your own that point back to another website. When another website links to yours, it signals to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, passing on what’s commonly referred to as link juice. This “juice” contributes to your site’s domain authority, helping improve your visibility in search results.
Backlinks play a crucial role in how search engines evaluate and rank websites. They impact crawlability by helping search engine bots discover new pages, and they enhance credibility by acting as third-party votes of confidence for your content. In simple terms, the more quality backlinks you have, the more likely your site is to be seen as authoritative.
Various types of backlinks serve different purposes. Some, like dofollow backlinks, directly impact SEO by passing link equity, while nofollow backlinks may not pass authority but still contribute to a natural and diversified link profile. Others, such as those from guest posting, digital PR, and referral backlinks, serve both SEO and brand exposure purposes.
This article will provide a comprehensive presentation of 25 most common types of backlinks and how to get them to improve your off-page strategy.
For long-term success, it’s essential to focus on earning high-quality backlinks that align with Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and contribute to your site’s domain authority rather than participating in manipulative link schemes.
Editorial Backlinks (Natural Links)
Editorial backlinks, often referred to as natural links, are some of the most potent, natural, and respected types of backlinks in SEO.
These links are earned organically, without direct outreach or payment, when other websites or publishers endorse your content because they find it valuable, trustworthy, or informative, which makes it highly appreciated by Google.
Additionally, your link is typically placed in high-quality, content-rich articles or a prioritized section of an article. Publishers add your links to demonstrate their trustworthiness, as these backlinks usually originate from trusted sources, such as academic publications or websites of industry leaders. This action indicates that your content has inherent value and authority.
How to Earn Editorial Backlinks with Good Quality Articles
- Create expert-level content that offers in-depth insights or distinctive perspectives.
- Include original research, data, or statistics that are about to be cited
- Participate in interviews or roundups as a thought leader, as when you’re quoted or featured, podcasts or industry blogs typically link back to your website.
- Create comprehensive guides that become go-to resources in your industry.
- Create evergreen content that remains relevant and engaging over time.
High-quality blog content will attract organic mentions and give you opportunities to earn editorial backlinks and improve domain trust.
Guest Post Backlinks
Guest post backlinks are links earned by writing and publishing articles on other websites within your niche. This principle is a win-win: you contribute a high-quality article to a blog, the site host gets free and valuable articles, and in exchange, you gain valuable backlinks pointing back to your website, as well as authority and popularity.
For example, imagine that you contribute a post titled “25 types of backlinks” to a reputable industry blog in SEO. If this site host publishes your article on its site and links back to your blog or homepage, that’s a guest post backlink in action.
What makes guest posting appealing is that it helps you reach a relevant audience within your industry. They can offer you dofollow potential links, which is beneficial for SEO rankings. However, high-quality partnerships are needed to avoid red flags with Google, as backlinks from low-quality and irrelevant websites will devalue your authority.
Directory Backlinks
Directory backlinks come from online directories that list businesses, websites, or professionals. While these backlinks provide less link juice than some other types of backlinks, directory backlinks still help your company improve local SEO and online visibility.
Having a profile on a high-authority platform, such as Google My Business, Yelp, or Crunchbase, enables you not only to improve your local search presence but also to enhance your legitimacy in the eyes of search engines.
If you’re unsure where to begin, start with reputable directories in your industry and location.
It’s commonly believed that backlinks from social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit, don’t provide much SEO value, as they often fall under the nofollow link category.
Social media can help your content get discovered, shared, and indexed more quickly. A viral tweet or Facebook post can help you reach thousands of users, which positively affects your SEO.
Even though the links themselves may not measurably boost your rankings, they can increase popularity and referral traffic. These strong catalysts can help you reach a wider audience.
Forum and Community Backlinks
Participating in forums and online communities can also lead to valuable backlinks, provided it is done the right way. These links usually come from your profile, your signature, or are embedded naturally in posts where you’re contributing something meaningful to the conversation.
When you can contribute an answer to a question or meaningful content to a conversation on forums or online communities, you can earn valuable backlinks. The links from your profile or your signature can become valuable backlinks.
If you include links without context or spam threads with promotional content, some platforms like Quora, Reddit, and Stack Overflow can remove them and ban your account.
In contrast, if you provide meaningful content, helpful responses, and simply drop links to support your answers, forum backlinks are a good way to build trust, gain exposure, and attract the attention of your target audience. Focus on helping people and bringing in value first, backlinks and popularity will follow naturally.
Web 2.0 Backlinks
Web 2.0 backlinks come from content you create on platforms that allow free publishing, such as WordPress.com, Blogger, Tumblr, and Medium. These sites let you set up your blog or page and include links back to your main website. While this type of backlink is not as powerful as those from high-authority sites, it can serve as a supporting link that helps with brand exposure and tiered link-building strategies. They’re often used in tiered link-building strategies, especially by those just starting with SEO.
However, this practice should be implemented with careful consideration. Simply spinning or duplicating content across multiple platforms won’t help and could even hurt your SEO. Each Web 2.0 platform should be considered a mini-brand and a free content hub where you publish original content and naturally drop links back to your money site. Avoid link schemes that aim to manipulate search engines. With this practice, Web 2.0 backlinks can diversify your link profile.
Resource page backlinks
Resource page backlinks are earned by being featured on authoritative and expert pages that provide helpful tools and articles related to a specific topic. These pages are hosted by experts, educators, or industry-specific platforms that usually share valuable knowledge with their targeted audience.
Backlinks from resource pages are typically highly valued by Google because these pages often feature high-quality, thoroughly vetted content that provides significant value to readers.. For instance, being featured on a page like “Top Backlinks Tools for 2025” or “Trusted Marketing Resources” puts your brand in front of a qualified audience and tells search engines that others trust your content.
To earn a backlink like this, you’ll need to implement a thoughtful outreach campaign to approach the site’s host and propose your content. Start by searching for relevant resource pages using search operators such as:
- “SEO tools” + inurl:resources
- “best marketing blogs” + intitle:resources
Then, contact the webmaster with a personalized message. Mention their page by name, explain how your content or tool adds unique value, and politely suggest your inclusion. Outreach that’s clear, respectful, and targeted is far more likely to succeed.
Natural Backlinks
When your content provides original information, reliable data, or an excellent user experience, some bloggers cite your link in their posts to enrich their content. For example, a blog post featuring original research or a comprehensive guide on backlinks and SEO off-page might be cited by bloggers, included in an expert article, or featured in a roundup.
Google highly respects natural backlinks because they are valuable, as they demonstrate genuine authority and relevance. To earn them, focus on publishing high-quality, evergreen content—especially formats like case studies, infographics, or tutorials that attract organic citations.
Badge Backlinks
Badge backlinks are created when you design and distribute digital badges, such as “Top SEO Tools”, “Partner Badge”, or “Certified Expert”—that other websites proudly display on their site. These badges typically contain a link back to your website.
This method is effective for building brand visibility and earning backlinks from relevant websites. For example, if Sakura-vn.vn published a list of “Top Vietnamese SEO Platforms” and created a custom badge for each listed company, many would embed the badge on their homepage or press section, along with a backlink.
However, it’s essential to use this technique ethically. Google considers manipulative badge schemes a potential violation of its link scheme guidelines. So be sure badges are genuinely earned and not distributed in exchange for links alone.
Testimonial Backlinks
Testimonial backlinks are earned by providing a company with a positive review or testimonial, especially after using their tool or service. In exchange, this company will publish your statement on their website, including a backlink to your site to provide credit. In this way, it is the easiest way to earn links from high-authority domains.
It’s working because businesses usually need social proof, and they might be willing to mention your name, company, and give you a dofollow backlink.
To earn a testimonial backlink, you can reach out to the tools and services your company uses and offer a quality testimonial. In return, these companies can provide you with a credible backlink.
Press Release Backlinks
When you distribute official announcements via platforms like PRWeb, EIN News, or Business Wire, this can be expanded across new sites and provide a batch of backlinks to your site.
However, most of these links are nofollow, and Google does not place much value on the links embedded directly in the release unless the story is expanded by reputable news outlets organically. That said, a compelling press release with original insights and valuable data can be picked up by journalists independently.
For best practice in PR backlinks, use press releases to share authentic stories and enhance brand visibility, rather than stuffing keywords and anchor text.
UGC (User-Generated Content) Backlinks
UGC backlinks, or user-generated content backlinks, are included in content generated by users rather than site owners. They can be found in Q&A contributions on platforms such as Reddit, Quora, or blog comments. For example, when someone mentions your product on a Reddit thread about Shopify tools or links to your article in a relevant Quora answer, those are UGC backlinks.
However, many of these platforms utilize the rel=”ugc” attribute, which signals to search engines that the link was not placed editorially. While these links may carry less SEO value in Google’s eyes, they still offer referral traffic and brand exposure. These backlinks are beneficial for diversifying your link profile and promoting brand visibility among online communities.
Like other kinds of backlinks, use this strategy ethically. Please leave a link, as it is invaluable and meaningful for the community’s users.
HARO Backlinks
HARO, short for Help A Reporter Out, is a free platform that connects journalists, bloggers, and content creators with expert sources in various industries. Journalists from multiple magazines and high-authority journals (e.g., Forbes, Business Insider) publish their requests for experts and resources on HARO. When you fulfill a journalist’s request and your quote is selected, you will receive a dofollow backlink from high-authority media outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, or Search Engine Journal.
Using HARO is one of the most legitimate and effective digital PR techniques in SEO. These backlinks originate from high-domain-authority sites with high Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA), which in turn provide more link juice (SEO strength) to your website. When you respond to queries that align with your expertise, the backlinks you acquire will be highly relevant to your content, helping Google better understand your specialized field. Google utilizes the E-E-A-T framework—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—to evaluate content quality and credibility, and HARO plays a crucial role in enhancing all four areas.
As articles on major sites attract vast amounts of traffic, your backlink can bring a significant amount of referral traffic from interested readers. A CTA button that attracts more user interaction can
To leverage HARO effectively, you should subscribe to HARO and look for journalists’ requests in your industry (e.g, Business, Technology). Pitch valuable, concise answers that demonstrate your expertise. If your answers are displayed and highlighted when a journalist selects your quote, they will reward you with a backlink to your website.
These backlinks are natural, editorial, and aligned with Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. They are also ideal for building link juice and E-E-A-T signals.
Video, Webinar & Podcast Backlinks
Backlinks from video content, webinars, and podcasts are very valuable in a content marketing strategy. These links typically originate from episode show notes or embedded media on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, or Buzzsprout.
For example, if you’re a guest on a podcast, the host can include a backlink in the podcast description that points to your website. Similarly, when hosting a professional webinar and uploading educational videos, you can include a backlink pointing to supporting resources on your website in the description or landing pages.
These backlinks are valuable as they drive referral traffic from your channel’s engaged audience and pass SEO Authority, as they are featured on high-quality domains.
Repurpose transcripts of your video content into articles or blog posts. This improves indexing and creates opportunities for internal linking and further backlink generation.
Image & Infographic Backlinks
An image backlink (or image link) is when a link is attached to an image. Image backlinks are effective because they naturally attract shares, embeds, and citations from other websites, especially when the visuals are informative, well-designed, and relevant to a specific topic. When other sites use your infographics, charts, or branded visuals and credit your source with a link, you gain high-quality backlinks that boost your site’s authority and SEO.
Unlike many link-building tactics that require outreach, image backlinks often happen organically, making them a scalable and low-effort way to earn referral traffic and improve search rankings over time.
The basic cost of image backlinks can vary depending on how you create and distribute your visuals. Suppose you design infographics or charts in-house using tools like Canva or Adobe Illustrator.
In that case, the cost is mainly your time or software subscription, making it a low-cost strategy, ideal for new websites with limited budgets. For older or established websites, investing in professionally designed visuals or custom data-driven graphics can enhance authority and increase the chance of earning backlinks from high-authority domains.
Why new websites benefit from image backlinks as they help build early trust, diversify the backlink profile, and attract organic traffic without heavy outreach, established websites can use them to support content marketing, reinforce topical authority, and earn backlinks from media outlets, blogs, or niche publications that value high-quality visual content.
Infographic backlinks are also great for passive link building because they continue to generate mentions and links long after being published.
Overall, image backlinks are cost-effective and adaptable, working well for websites at any stage of growth.
Backlink Exchange
Backlink exchange, also known as reciprocal linking, happens when two websites agree to link to each other.
When two relevant websites naturally link to each other, both can benefit from increased authority and visibility in search results. Not only does mutual SEO value exist, but backlink exchange can also bring in referral traffic from your partner site. Backlink exchange can open more collaboration opportunities, such as guest posts, interviews, and co-marketing.
The cost of exchanging backlinks is typically low in terms of money but can be high in terms of time, effort, and risk. Since backlink exchanges involve a mutual agreement between two website owners to link to each other, they often don’t require payment.
However, the true “cost” lies in the potential SEO risk, especially if the exchange is done excessively or with irrelevant websites, which may violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.
However, backlink exchange is not ideal for new websites. Google pays close attention to unnatural link patterns, and aggressive link swapping from a new site can look suspicious. Therefore, they should focus on content-driven, organic link building. In contrast, backlink exchanges with partners and collaborators within an industry can enhance visibility and improve SEO rankings.
To avoid penalties, backlink exchanges should:
- Be contextually relevant and user-focused
- Not be part of automated link networks.
- Avoid over-optimization of anchor text.
In short, backlink exchanges are more suitable for niche-specific, trusted websites with established authority. For any site, it’s essential to prioritize quality, relevance, and user value to avoid signaling manipulative behaviors to search engines.
Broken Link Building Backlinks
Broken backlinks can help you earn high-quality, contextual backlinks by identifying dead (404) links on other websites and suggesting your content as a replacement.
You get backlinks from existing content that is already indexed and trusted by search engines. This is a win-win strategy, as you’re offering a helpful replacement that provides value to webmasters by enhancing their user experience.
The cost of broken link building is generally low in monetary terms, but it requires time, research, and significant outreach effort. You also need to create relevant and high-value content to persuade the site host. Overall, it’s a cost-effective strategy, especially compared to buying backlinks,
This strategy is suitable for websites with strong content but few backlinks. Your ability to create high-value content can help you start earning links by providing value to your audience. Additionally, broken backlink building is a valuable strategy for targeting resource pages or niche-specific content hubs.
Paid Backlinks
Paid backlinks refer to links acquired through the exchange of money or incentives. While they might drive short-term traffic or SEO ranking, they’re considered risky under Google’s link scheme policies.
| Quality level | Price range |
| Low-tier blogs or directories | $20 – $100 per backlink |
| Mid-tier niche websites (DA 30–50) | $100 – $300 per backlink |
| High-authority sites (DA 60+ | $300 – $1,000+ per backlink |
| Top-tier media outlets (Forbes, TechCrunch, etc.) | $1,000 – $5,000+ (usually via PR or agency placement) |
To reduce the risk of penalties, always label paid links with the rel=”sponsored” attribute. This informs search engines that the link is promotional. Also don’t use paid links to manipulate search rankings.
While paid links can be a valid strategy for some industries, like SaaS or agencies that can readily exchange links with other reputable businesses, this approach is often unfeasible for sectors like casinos, cannabis, or crypto due to the difficulty and lack of scalability in finding suitable link exchange partners.
The more specialized or tightly regulated your industry is, the more reasonable it is to consider investing in paid backlinks. However, it’s essential to use them in moderation to avoid potential penalties.
Profile Creation Backlinks
Profile backlinks are created by setting up accounts on trusted platforms and linking your website to your public profile. These links help build your online presence and can offer SEO value, especially from reputable domains.
Profile backlinks are backlinks generated by creating accounts on trusted platforms and linking your website to your public profile. These profile-based links provide online presence and SEO value, particularly from reputable domains such as Quora, Crunchbase, Behance, and Medium.
Most of these links are nofollow, so they carry less SEO value than other kinds of backlinks. However, your frequent presence on these high-authority platforms can contribute to your site’s authority signals and brand visibility.
While profile creation backlinks are recommended for a wide range of websites, they are most suitable for new websites and startups that aim to establish an online presence and build brand trust without incurring significant expenses. The presence on these platforms helps early indexing.
Additionally, local businesses and service-based websites can increase their visibility by creating profiles on these well-established platforms. Finally, this practice is helpful for authors, freelancers, and consultants to showcase their work and link to a personal portfolio.
The price of profile creation backlinks is generally low, making them one of the most affordable link-building strategies. Instead of paying for backlinks, this approach requires an investment of your time and energy to produce content and build accounts. If you choose to outsource the work to freelancers or SEO agencies, costs can range from $5 to $50 per batch of 10–50 profile backlinks (depending on quality and platforms used).
Some tools and services can help you automatically create 100+ profile creation backlinks with prices ranging from 10 to 300 $
A sitewide link is an outgoing link that appears on every page of a website, typically located in the footer or site navigation menu. Footer backlinks are usually embedded in templates, plugins, or themes. For example, a web design company might include a “Designed by XYZ” link in the footer of every site they build.
In the past, obtaining a link in the footer or navigation of a high-authority website would instantly generate thousands of backlinks, which boosted rankings because search engines prioritized quantity over quality.
However, due to Google’s Penguin update, the search engine penalizes or ignores them when overused, especially when they are unnatural or identical across multiple unrelated domains.
To avoid penalties, focus on the value you can bring to users through this link and avoid exact-match anchor text.
EDU Backlinks
EDU backlinks originate from .edu domains, including scholarship pages, student resources, faculty blogs, and career centers. Because these sites are considered highly trustworthy, backlinks from them can significantly enhance your domain authority if used ethically and with transparency.
Generally, edu backlinks are more expensive than other types of backlinks due to their perceived authority and potential impact on search engine optimization (SEO). Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per link.
Some types of sites are best suited for educational backlinks. If your business offers a legitimate scholarship or academic resource, many colleges and universities may list your site on their external opportunities pages, providing a high-quality backlink in return.
Additionally, sponsoring student clubs or contributing expert content to faculty blogs can lead to natural, relevant links from .edu domains. Edu backlinks are earned from real collaboration, scholarship programs, and educational content.
In contrast, Google may penalize sites that try to manipulate rankings with fake or forced .edu links, so transparency is essential.
Blog Commenting Backlinks
Blog commenting is a simple method for generating nofollow backlinks and building early engagement. While these links may not directly boost your rankings, they can help drive traffic, increase visibility, and establish your presence in your niche.
The cost of blog commenting backlinks is generally very low, and in some cases, it can even be free if you do it manually. You just need to find relevant blogs, read the content, and leave meaningful comments that include a link to your website. Nearly all blog comment backlinks are nofollow, so they don’t pass direct SEO value. However, they can still drive referral traffic from a well-known blog, bring exposure, and support a diversified backlink profile.
Some types of sites are best suited for educational backlinks. If your business offers a legitimate scholarship or academic resource, many colleges and universities may list your site on their external opportunities pages, providing a high-quality backlink in return.
Additionally, sponsoring student clubs or contributing expert content to faculty blogs can lead to natural, relevant links from .edu domains. Edu backlinks are earned from real collaboration, scholarship programs, and educational content.
Here are a few of the best blog commenting practices:
- Use your real name or account—no spammy links
- Choose relevant blogs in your industry.
- Make thoughtful contributions that add value to the discussion.
- Avoid keyword-rich anchor text or excessive linking
Don’t overuse it, as this practice can be penalized by Google.
Done right, blog commenting is more about relationship building than SEO—and that’s where its long-term value lies.
301 Redirect Backlinks
When a page with existing backlinks is redirected using a 301 status code to a new page or domain, the SEO value (also known as link juice) is typically passed on to the new destination.
301 redirects backlinks help to reclaim lost or expired backlinks from old domains. This practice is helpful in case of site migration and rebranding. Even if URLs are changed, the SEO equity is preserved.
These backlinks are typically acquired by purchasing expired or aged domains that already have firm backlink profiles and redirecting them to your site. Therefore, the cost of 301 redirect backlinks depends on the method used and the quality of the domain being redirected. The price ranges from $20 to $100 for low-quality, expired domains, and from $1,000 to $ 5,000 or more for premium domains. Additionally, you will need to compensate your employees for implementing the backlink profile audit and the associated process.
This backlink can suit established websites looking to reclaim old brand names or for affiliate marketers redirecting traffic from aged domains with strong backlinks in the same niche. This practice is suitable for businesses undergoing a rebrand or domain migration, as these backlinks enable the brand to transfer link equity from the old website to the new one. When a 301 redirect is implemented, it informs search engines that the original page has been permanently relocated to a new location.
For practical use, you need to make sure that the content on the redirected domains matches yours, that you don’t inherit spammy links, and use different anchor text to avoid over-optimization.
Local Listings Backlinks
Among the various types of backlinks, local listing backlinks are particularly beneficial for local SEO. While most of them are nofollow, these backlinks not only improve local search visibility in map results and local packs, but also provide citations that build trust and authority with Google, and bring in referral traffic from users browsing directories. You can strengthen your website’s local presence.
While these backlinks don’t dramatically boost national rankings, they can help you achieve a good ranking in your target city or region.
Many local listing platforms are free to use, including Google Business Profile, Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing Places, and Facebook Business. However, some premium directories (like industry-specific or niche business listings) may charge a one-time fee or annual subscription, typically ranging from $30 to $300 per year.
If outsourced to an SEO agency or local citation service (such as Whitespark, BrightLocal, or Yext), the cost can range from $50 to $150 for 20–50 listings (manual submission) to $200 or more for managed, ongoing listing services.
This practice is best suited for Local businesses (restaurants, salons, law firms, clinics, etc.), as well as Service-Area businesses (plumbers, electricians, HVAC).
Here’s a comparison of local listing backlinks, which are essential for local SEO and brand trust:
| Platform | Type | Authority Level | Follow/Nofollow | Use Case |
| Google My Business | Local SEO | High | Nofollow | Map visibility, reviews |
| Yelp | Business directory | High | Nofollow | Local discovery, trust |
| Apple Maps | Local navigation | Medium | Nofollow | iOS-based visibility |
For best practice, don’t forget to use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) and your website URL across all profiles. Give necessary information, including opening hours and service details. Don’t forget to interact with users and respond to both positive and negative reviews.
Gov Backlinks
.gov backlinks are backlinks from websites that use the .gov domain. They are domains from government websites that are considered extremely authoritative by search engines due to their trusted, official nature.
However, these backlinks are not typically available for purchase and are often very difficult to obtain. You can naturally earn through community partnerships, government sponsorships, and public service initiatives by offering free tools or research that support public initiatives.
If you choose to work with an agency to earn .gov backlinks through legitimate outreach, the cost can range from $300 to $2,000 or more, depending on the strategy and the authority of the linking site. However, buying .gov links directly is strongly discouraged, as it violates Google’s guidelines and can result in penalties.
These backlinks are especially well-suited for nonprofits, educational or civic-tech platforms, local businesses involved in community programs, and startups that provide tools or services benefiting the public sector, particularly in E-E-A-T-focused niches like health, finance, and education.
To earn .gov backlinks effectively and ethically, consider engaging with government programs that align with your mission, applying to be listed in official government directories, and partnering with local governments on community events or projects. Always aim for natural, contextually relevant placements—never try to buy links.
In conclusion, incorporating the .gov backlinks strategy into an ethical SEO strategy is recommended.
If you’re interested, I can provide a list of government directories or programs where backlink opportunities may be available.
How to Evaluate Backlink Quality?
Not all backlinks are equal. Here’s how to evaluate whether a backlink is helping—or hurting—your SEO efforts. Review the checklist below to assess the quality of backlinks before incorporating them into your backlink profile.
- Domain Authority – Is the referring site trusted and well-established?
- Link Relevance – Is the backlink contextually related to your content or industry?
- Anchor Text – Does the anchor text look natural, or is it over-optimized?
- Page Traffic – Does the referring page get real visitors?
- Spam Score – Utilize tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or SEMrush to identify and avoid toxic links.
High-quality backlinks are earned, relevant, and editorial—and they align with Google’s preference for people-first content.
How many backlinks per month are needed to reach the first place on Google?
In SEO, the quality of a link will always take precedence over quantity. Google can recognize a quality backlink and will always prefer 10 inbound links from quality sites over 1000 from spam sites.
Therefore, getting cheap backlinks from dubious sites is not necessarily a good deal.
However, there is no limit to the sound quality and natural backlinks.
What are the 3 main characteristics of a quality backlink?
The 3 main characteristics of a quality backlink are thematic relevance, domain authority, and the quality of the source page. A good backlink should come from a site related to your niche, have strong authority (measured by metrics like Domain Rating and Domain Authority), and be placed naturally within valuable, relevant content. Ideally, it should be a contextual do-follow link inside a quality article, not hidden in a footer. Such backlinks maximize SEO results by combining relevance and trust.