In SEO, you’ll see 4 link-attribute types and 8 common placement types that shape risk and value.
Backlinks aren’t one blob. They fall into clear buckets that affect crawling, trust signals, and rankings. This guide maps the buckets, shows safe ways to earn them, and flags traps. You’ll leave with a working list you can use to audit your site or brief a teammate.
Backlink Types In SEO — The Full List
There are two ways to count. First, by the technical attribute on the tag. Second, by where the link sits on a page. Put those together and you get a model that is simple to apply in audits and prospecting.
The Two Lenses
- Link attributes (4): dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, UGC.
- Placement types (8): editorial in-content, guest post, resource page, media/PR mention, niche edit/contextual update, directory or citation, forum/profile/UGC, footer or sidebar/sitewide.
Quick Reference Table
| Type | Where It Appears | SEO Value & Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Dofollow | Any placement with a standard link | Passes signals; judge by relevance and page quality. |
| Nofollow | Comments, sponsored spots, press materials | Hint only; solid for traffic and brand; fine in a natural mix. |
| Sponsored | Ads, paid placements with rel=”sponsored” | Compliant tag for paid links; keep clear labeling. |
| UGC | Forums, profiles, comment systems | Tag user-submitted links; low weight, useful for discovery. |
| Editorial In-Content | Inside a relevant paragraph | Highest signal when earned on strong pages. |
| Guest Post | Author bio or body on a partner site | Good when real editorial vetting exists; avoid networks. |
| Resource Page | Curated lists, “links” pages, tools hubs | Solid when the page serves a topic and stays maintained. |
| Media/PR Mention | News sites, industry press, expert quotes | Strong reach; often mixed attributes; earns trust and clicks. |
| Niche Edit | Context added to an existing article | Only pursue when it fits the content; skip pay-to-place schemes. |
| Directory/Citation | Business listings, niche catalogs | Good for NAP consistency and discovery; pick real directories. |
| Forum/Profile/UGC | Member areas, Q&A, open wikis | Good for reach; weak SEO weight; avoid spam flips. |
| Footer/Sidebar/Sitewide | Templates, badges, themes | Low value; risky in bulk; keep branded and sparse. |
How The Attributes Work
The rel attribute signals how a crawler should treat a link. A natural backlink profile blends all four. Here’s the practical readout you can share with a client or exec.
Dofollow
Standard links without an extra rel value. These can transfer the most weight, but only when the page is relevant, crawlable, and trusted. Chase fit, not just metrics.
Nofollow
Added to limit endorsement. These still aid discovery and can send converting traffic. They also show up across large platforms that host open contributions, which keeps your mix believable.
Sponsored
Use this attribute for paid placements, ads, or any compensated inclusion. It keeps you inside policy while still gaining reach and referral visits.
UGC
Marks links created by users. Pair with moderation. It helps platforms reduce spam and keeps your site trustworthy.
How Placement Changes Value
Where a link sits matters. A link tucked in a footer template behaves differently from a cited claim inside a body paragraph. Think about reader intent, crawl path, and edit standards on the linking page.
Editorial In-Content
An author cites your guide because it answers a point. Relevance lines up. Anchor text makes sense. These links send signals and clicks, and they age well.
Guest Post
Contribute where you can add expert depth. Pick sites with named editors and strict guidelines. Place a branded link inside your bio or where it serves the reader. Skip vendors that sell placements at scale.
Resource Page
Many universities, nonprofits, and trade sites keep living resource lists. Pitch a page that fills a gap, and your link can sit there for years with steady referral traffic.
Media And PR
Expert quotes, data drops, and original research earn coverage. Some links carry nofollow, some do not. Both help reach and authority when the coverage is on-topic.
Niche Edit
Editors update an existing article to include your page where it improves clarity. Only pursue when the page already ranks and your page truly adds value.
Directory Or Citation
Local SEO still benefits from accurate listings. Submit to trusted industry catalogs and major maps. Avoid dead lists with no review process or traffic.
Forum, Profile, Or UGC
Answer questions on platforms your audience uses. You’ll gain readers and seed brand searches. Use links sparingly and only when they help the thread.
Footer, Sidebar, Or Sitewide
Theme credits and badges can create repeating links. Keep them branded, not anchor-stuffed, and limit them to design credits or true partnerships.
Stay Policy-Safe
Paid links belong behind the sponsored tag. Large-scale link swaps, automated blasts, and private networks cross the line. Read the rules and design your program around them. Google outlines link handling and crawlable link setup in plain language on its help pages: see the spam policies and the link best practices.
How Many Should You Aim For?
Count isn’t the lever. Page relevance, topical fit, and the linking page’s own backlinks move the needle. Ten strong editorial mentions on topic can beat a thousand template links on thin sites. Track growth month to month and watch the pages those links point to.
Anchor Text That Stays Safe
Good anchors read like normal language. Keep them short, descriptive, and brand-forward. Mix in topical phrases more than exact matches. Avoid chains of links stacked together. Place the link where a reader expects it, and write the sentence so the anchor adds context, not noise.
Quality Signals That Matter
- Topical fit: The linking site and page should sit near your topic. Tight context beats raw domain metrics.
- Page strength: Look at the page’s own backlinks and traffic. A real audience trumps a high score with no visits.
- Placement: Body-text beats boilerplate. A single in-content citation often outperforms dozens of template links.
- Editorial bar: Signs of real editing, named authors, and active updates point to durable links.
- Natural mix: Expect lots of nofollow on large platforms. The blend matters more than any one tag.
Building A Safe Mix
Use this simple plan. Publish link-worthy assets, pitch aligned sites, and keep a clean intake process. Say no to any pitch that promises exact anchors, fixed DA, or bulk packs.
Plan The Assets
Pick formats that attract citations: original data, calculators, teardown posts, checklists, or mini tools. Tie each asset to a clear query and a point of view that adds something new for the reader.
Find The Right Prospects
Start with pages that already link out to similar resources. Look for topical overlap, active editors, and a history of updating posts. Map the editors and show why your page fills a gap the audience cares about.
Pitch With Value
Lead with the benefit to their readers. Offer a fresh chart, a missing angle, or a quote from someone who has done the work. Keep the anchor natural and the ask light. Brief, clear, and respectful beats long and pushy.
Measure Without Bias
Track referring domains, URLs, anchors, attributes, and target pages. Watch rankings for the linked pages, not just homepage stats. Flag any odd spikes that hint at spam or vendor footprints.
Practical Rules Of Thumb
- Earn links inside the body where readers spend time.
- Keep anchors short and plain. Use branded or topic phrases more than exact matches.
- Mix attributes. A natural profile has plenty of nofollow on large platforms.
- Avoid sitewide templates at scale. One credit is fine; a thousand repeats aren’t.
- Say yes to edits that improve the host page; say no to pay-to-insert lists.
When To Use Which Attribute
Here’s a quick selector you can share with a content or PR team.
| Scenario | Use This Tag | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Paid placement or ad | rel=”sponsored” | Signals compensation and keeps policy clean. |
| Open contributions | rel=”ugc” | Marks user links; limits trust transfer. |
| Editorial citation | (none) | Standard link when a page earns a mention. |
| Unvetted or uncertain link | rel=”nofollow” | Hints “don’t endorse” while keeping discovery. |
Audit Steps You Can Run This Week
Step 1: Pull The Data
Export referring domains, target URLs, anchors, attributes, and first seen dates. Split by homepage vs deep pages so you can see where equity piles up.
Step 2: Classify
Tag each link by attribute and placement. You can sample links when totals are huge. The goal is a pattern map, not a perfect census.
Step 3: Spot Risks
Look for template repeats, exact-match anchors at scale, and clusters from one vendor. Triage anything that smells like a network or a paid list without proper tags.
Step 4: Plan Fixes
Reach out to clean up spammy anchors, trim sitewide widgets, and add tags where money changed hands. Then set monthly targets for true editorial wins and track them.
Copy-And-Share Summary
Count links across two lenses: attributes (dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, UGC) and placements (eight common spots). Earn body-text citations on relevant pages, keep paid links tagged, and let nofollow live in your mix. That model keeps you safe and growing.