If you’re trying to improve your search rankings, backlinks are one of the most important signals Google looks at. But what is a backlink in SEO, and how does it help your website climb the search results?
A backlink is simply a link from one website to another. In SEO, when another site links to your content, it signals to search engines that your page is trustworthy or valuable.
Think of backlinks as digital votes of confidence. The more quality votes your site receives, the more likely it is to rank higher in Google search results.
In this guide, we’ll break down what backlinks are, why they matter, what is a backlink example, how to earn them, and what are the types of backlinks that can impact your SEO strategy.
What Is a Backlink Example?
Here’s a simple backlink example:
If a blog post on Forbes.com (notice this is not a link… so not a backlink to Forbes.com) links to your article about marketing trends, that link pointing to your site is a backlink.
<a href="https://yourwebsite.com/marketing-trends">Marketing Trends</a>This counts as a backlink to your page. And this is the HTML equivalent to a link to https://yourwebsite.com/marketing-trends with anchor text “Marketing Trends“.
Why Backlinks Matter for SEO
Backlinks are one of Google’s top three ranking factors. They:
- Improve your site’s authority and trustworthiness.
- Help Google discover your pages faster.
- Drive referral traffic from other sites.
- Signal topic relevance when coming from related websites.
However, not all backlinks are created equal.
What Are the Types of Backlinks?
DoFollow Backlinks
These pass link equity and directly influence rankings. Most natural editorial links are DoFollow by default.
NoFollow Backlinks
These include a rel=”nofollow” tag and don’t pass ranking value—but still drive traffic and brand visibility.
Sponsored or Paid Links
Should use rel=”sponsored” and disclose the nature of the relationship. Overuse can trigger penalties.
UGC (User-Generated Content) Links
These come from forums, blog comments, or community sites. Often tagged with rel=”ugc” to distinguish them from editorial links.
Natural Editorial Links
Earned organically from content creators who find your content valuable. These are the gold standard.
Self-Created Links
Manually created in directories, profile bios, or comment sections. May help initially but need moderation to avoid penalties.
How Do I Get a SEO Backlink?
Getting backlinks takes time and strategy. Here are some proven methods:
Create Link-Worthy Content
- In-depth blog posts
- Infographics or stats roundups
- Original research or data studies
Guest Posting
Write articles for other blogs in your niche. Most include a backlink to your site in the author bio or content.
Digital PR and Outreach
- Pitch story ideas to journalists
- Respond to HARO (Help a Reporter Out) queries
- Submit expert quotes to roundup posts
Get Listed in Directories
- High-quality business directories and citation sites
5. Collaborations and Partnerships
- Co-author content
- Join podcast interviews
- Partner with complementary businesses
6. Broken Link Building
Find broken links on other sites and suggest your content as a replacement.
Backlink Quality Matters More Than Quantity
Getting 100 spammy backlinks won’t help you rank. One backlink from a high-authority site like HubSpot or Moz could do more for your rankings than dozens of low-quality links.
Focus on:
- Domain Authority of the linking site
- Relevance to your topic or niche
- Anchor Text used in the link
- Placement (body content vs. footer/sidebar)
Final Thoughts
Backlinks remain one of the most important elements of any successful SEO strategy. Understanding what is a backlink in SEO, the types of backlinks, and how to get a SEO backlink can give your website a major advantage in the search results.
Whether you’re building links through guest posts, PR, or creating link-worthy content, always prioritize quality and relevance. And remember: even one good backlink can make a difference.