How Many Types of Link Building in SEO? A Complete Breakdown
How Many Types of Link Building in SEO Exist? A Complete Guide
Introduction
Link building is a fundamental strategy in search engine optimization (SEO) that helps websites gain authority, increase visibility, and improve search rankings. But how many types of link building exist in SEO? Understanding the different link-building methods can help businesses and marketers implement the right strategies for sustainable growth.
In this guide, we’ll explore various link-building types, their benefits, and how to use them effectively to boost your website’s SEO.
| Link Building Type | Description | SEO Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Editorial Links | Earned naturally when other websites link to your content without you asking. | High-quality backlinks that improve domain authority. |
| Guest Posting Links | Writing articles for other websites in exchange for a backlink. | Builds brand authority and provides high-value backlinks. |
| Broken Link Building | Replacing broken links on external websites with your own relevant content. | Helps earn backlinks from high-authority sites. |
| Forum Link Building | Placing links in relevant discussion forums, in threads, or signatures. | Generates referral traffic and increases niche authority. |
| Resource Page Links | Getting listed on web pages that curate useful resources. | Gains high-authority backlinks and improves search rankings. |
| Directory Submissions | Submitting websites to online directories like Google My Business, Yelp. | Improves local SEO and business credibility. |
| HARO Link Building | Responding to journalist queries to get featured in news and media websites. | Earns high-quality backlinks from authoritative news sources. |
| Social Media Links | Sharing website content on social media platforms. | Increases content visibility and potential engagement. |
| Image & Infographic Links | Creating shareable infographics that other websites use and credit. | Generates organic backlinks and increases traffic. |
| Internal Linking | Linking from one page of your website to another to improve SEO. | Enhances website navigation and distributes page authority. |
What is Link Building in SEO?
Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own. These links act as votes of confidence, signaling to search engines that your website is authoritative and relevant. The more high-quality backlinks a site has, the better its chances of ranking higher in search results.
Different Types of Link Building in SEO
There are various types of link building strategies, each serving a different purpose. Below are the most common and effective link-building types in SEO:
1. Natural Editorial Links
What are they?
- These are organic backlinks earned without direct action from the website owner.
- They occur when a website mentions and links to your content naturally.
How to Get Them:
- Publish high-quality, informative, and unique content.
- Create data-driven research, case studies, or guides.
- Develop viral content such as infographics and industry insights.
SEO Benefit:
- Most valuable links in SEO.
- Improve domain authority and trustworthiness.
2. Guest Posting Links
What are they?
- Links obtained by writing guest articles for other websites.
- These usually include a bio section link or in-content backlinks.
How to Get Them:
- Identify authoritative blogs in your industry.
- Pitch high-value guest post ideas.
- Write high-quality content that aligns with their audience.
SEO Benefit:
- Builds brand authority and credibility.
- Gains high-quality, relevant backlinks.
3. Broken Link Building
What is it?
- A technique where you find broken links on other websites and suggest replacing them with links to your content.
How to Do It:
- Use tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links to identify broken links.
- Create better content to replace the broken resource.
- Contact webmasters and suggest your link as a replacement.
SEO Benefit:
- Provides quick, high-authority backlinks.
- Improves user experience on linking sites.
4. Forum Link Building
What are they?
- Links placed in relevant online discussion forums.
- Includes links in forum signatures or replies.
How to Do It:
- Participate in niche-specific forums.
- Provide valuable responses before linking.
- Avoid spammy or irrelevant postings.
SEO Benefit:
- Generates targeted referral traffic.
- Builds brand visibility and reputation.
5. Resource Page Link Building
What are they?
- Links from resource pages that list helpful websites, guides, or tools.
How to Get Them:
- Search Google for resource pages (e.g., “best SEO tools resources”).
- Reach out and suggest your site as a valuable addition.
- Ensure your content is high-quality and relevant.
SEO Benefit:
- Secures authoritative backlinks.
- Increases organic search rankings.
6. Directory Link Building
What are they?
- Links obtained by submitting a website to online directories.
How to Get Them:
- Submit to high-quality business directories (e.g., Google My Business, Yelp, Better Business Bureau).
- Avoid spammy or low-quality directories.
SEO Benefit:
- Improves local SEO and visibility.
- Helps with brand trustworthiness.
7. HARO (Help A Reporter Out) Links
What are they?
- Links obtained by responding to journalist requests for expert opinions.
How to Do It:
- Sign up for HARO (Help a Reporter Out).
- Respond to relevant journalist queries.
- Provide valuable insights for inclusion in news articles.
SEO Benefit:
- Gains high-authority backlinks from media sites.
- Improves brand credibility and PR.
8. Social Media Links
What are they?
- Links from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
How to Use Them:
- Share blog posts and web pages on social media.
- Engage in conversations and networking.
- Participate in social media discussions and Q&A threads.
SEO Benefit:
- Drives social traffic and engagement.
- Increases content visibility.
9. Image and Infographic Link Building
What are they?
- Links obtained by sharing unique images or infographics that others use and credit with a backlink.
How to Get Them:
- Create high-quality infographics.
- Submit them to infographic directories.
- Reach out to bloggers to use your images with attribution.
SEO Benefit:
- Generates natural backlinks.
- Improves content engagement.
10. Internal Linking
What is it?
- Linking between pages on your own website to improve SEO structure.
How to Use It:
- Link from high-authority pages to weaker pages.
- Use descriptive anchor text.
- Avoid too many links on one page.
SEO Benefit:
- Helps with Google indexing.
- Improves user experience and navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Link Building in SEO
1. How many types of link building exist in SEO?
There are multiple types of link building strategies in SEO, including:
- Natural editorial links (earned organically).
- Guest posting links (via blog contributions).
- Broken link building (replacing dead links).
- Forum backlinks (participation in discussions).
- Resource page links (being featured in curated lists).
- Directory submissions (Google My Business, Yelp).
- HARO links (news site mentions).
- Social media backlinks (sharing content on platforms).
- Infographic and image backlinks (shared visual content).
- Internal linking (interlinking between pages on your site).
2. Why is link building important in SEO?
Link building is essential for SEO because it:
- Boosts domain authority by increasing credibility.
- Improves search rankings by signaling trust to search engines.
- Drives organic traffic from external sites.
- Helps search engines crawl and index pages faster.
- Enhances brand visibility in relevant industries.
3. What is the best type of link building for SEO?
The best link-building strategy depends on the industry and goals, but high-authority natural editorial links, guest posts, and resource page links provide the most SEO value.
- Editorial links from high-ranking sites are the most valuable.
- Guest posting helps build credibility and authority.
- Broken link building allows easy placement in high-quality content.
4. What is white hat vs. black hat link building?
| White Hat Link Building | Black Hat Link Building |
|---|---|
| Ethical and follows Google guidelines | Manipulative and violates Google policies |
| Guest posting, editorial links, HARO | Paid links, link farms, spammy forums |
| Improves SEO ranking sustainably | Risk of penalties and de-indexing |
Using white hat link building ensures long-term SEO success without penalties.
5. How do guest posts help with link building?
Guest posting helps websites gain high-quality backlinks by contributing content to reputable blogs. The key benefits include:
- Earning backlinks from authoritative sources.
- Increasing brand awareness and referral traffic.
- Building relationships with industry leaders.
To succeed, ensure that the guest post is valuable and relevant, and avoid spammy sites.
6. What are nofollow vs. dofollow links in SEO?
| Dofollow Links | Nofollow Links |
|---|---|
| Pass SEO link juice to the linked site | Do not pass direct SEO value |
| Help with ranking improvements | Still useful for traffic and credibility |
| Example: Backlinks from authority sites | Example: Social media or comment section links |
While dofollow links are more beneficial for SEO, nofollow links still help with traffic and brand awareness.
7. How do broken links help in link building?
Broken link building involves:
- Finding broken links on authoritative sites using tools like Ahrefs.
- Creating high-quality replacement content.
- Reaching out to the website owner with your suggested replacement.
It helps websites gain valuable backlinks while helping others fix broken links.
8. What are the risks of buying backlinks for SEO?
Buying backlinks is a black hat SEO tactic that can lead to penalties. Risks include:
- Google penalties for link manipulation.
- Loss of rankings or complete de-indexing.
- Low-quality links from spam sites hurting reputation.
Instead, focus on earning high-quality backlinks naturally.
9. How do internal links help SEO?
Internal linking improves SEO by:
- Helping Google index pages efficiently.
- Passing authority from high-ranking pages to others.
- Improving user navigation and engagement.
A good internal linking strategy boosts site structure and SEO rankings.
10. Can link building help e-commerce websites?
Yes, link building is essential for e-commerce SEO because it:
- Improves product page rankings in search engines.
- Increases referral traffic from blogs and forums.
- Enhances brand trust with authoritative backlinks.
Best link-building strategies for e-commerce include guest posts, product reviews, influencer outreach, and resource pages.
11. What are HARO backlinks, and how do they work?
HARO (Help A Reporter Out) backlinks come from journalists and media publications looking for expert sources.
- Sign up for HARO emails and find relevant journalist queries.
- Respond with expert insights and wait for approval.
- If selected, your site will receive a high-authority backlink.
HARO links are highly valuable because they come from trusted media sites.
12. How do social media links impact SEO?
Social media links are typically nofollow, but they still help with:
- Increasing content visibility and brand awareness.
- Driving referral traffic to your website.
- Encouraging backlinks from content shares.
While they do not directly boost rankings, social media exposure can lead to more natural backlinks.
13. What tools can I use for link building?
Popular tools for link-building analysis and tracking include:
- Ahrefs – Backlink checker and competitor analysis.
- SEMrush – Link-building suggestions and outreach tracking.
- Moz Link Explorer – Domain authority and backlink profile analysis.
- Google Search Console – View existing backlinks indexed by Google.
Using these tools helps find link-building opportunities and monitor performance.
14. How long does it take to see results from link building?
SEO link-building results depend on several factors, including:
- The quality of backlinks acquired.
- How frequently new backlinks are built.
- Google’s indexing speed.
In general, 3-6 months is a realistic timeline to see an improvement in rankings and traffic.
15. What are common link-building mistakes to avoid?
| Mistake | Why It’s Bad | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Buying backlinks | Can lead to Google penalties | Focus on organic link-building |
| Over-optimized anchor text | Looks unnatural to search engines | Use diverse anchor text |
| Ignoring nofollow links | They still drive traffic | Use a mix of nofollow and dofollow links |
| Posting on low-quality sites | Provides little to no SEO value | Target high-authority sites |
| Spammy guest posts | Can hurt credibility | Write high-value, relevant content |
Conclusion
Understanding how many types of link building exist in SEO can help businesses create a strong link-building strategy. Each method serves a unique purpose, and the best results come from a diverse mix of link-building tactics.
To build a successful backlink profile, focus on high-quality, relevant links while avoiding spammy techniques. Want to learn more? Start implementing these link-building strategies today!
The Secret to Ranking Higher: Why Directory Submission Services Matter
