Home SEOTypes of Backlinks: Which Links Benefit and Which Sink Your Website

Types of Backlinks: Which Links Benefit and Which Sink Your Website

by Jack Henry
types of backlinks

The World of Backlinks

Sometimes it seems like the world of SEO is like a wizard’s book. New spells, new rules on every page. And in all of them, there is one word that always resonates: “Backlinks”.

If you are a fan of SEO, or have stepped into the world of blogging, then surely you must have heard someone say: “Create backlinks, your rank will rise!”

But the problem is that there is not just one type of backlink. Just like relationships are different — some are pure, some are fake, some are helpful, some are toxic.

Similarly, backlinks also have different temperaments. Come on, today I will tell you in my language, without much technical jargon, how many types of backlinks there are and which of them are your “friends” and which are your “enemies”.

First of all – what is a backlink?

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first of all - what is a backlink

If you have just started blogging, then understand in simple terms:
When another website links to your site, meaning it “mentions” you, that is a backlink.

For example, if a blogger writes in his article:

  • I read a great guide about SEO on AliWrites.com
  • Then the link given to AliWrites.com is a backlink.
  • This is a signal to Google that “Yes, people consider this guy trustworthy.”

Just like if all the people in the neighborhood speak well of a friend, then reputation is automatically created.

Do-Follow Backlinks – The Real Hero

These are the backlinks that clearly tell Google:

  • “Brother, we are recommending this guy. Go, give importance to his site!”
  • A Do-Follow backlink is basically what passes SEO juice — meaning authority too.
  • When you get a do-follow backlink from a high authority site, your site’s “reputation” also increases.

Example:
If a site like Wikipedia or Forbes gives you a link (which is super rare btw , then you’ve hit the jackpot.

Personal thought:
For me, do-follow backlinks are like an award. Whenever you get a genuine backlink, it feels like an older brother has put his hand on your shoulder — “Well done, you’re doing it right!”

No-Follow Backlinks – The Silent Supporter

This backlink is what tells Google:

  • Dude, we mentioned this guy, but don’t give him authority. We’re just giving him info.
  • No-follow backlinks don’t pass SEO juice, but they have their own importance.
  • They can bring traffic, increase brand awareness, and sometimes indirectly help with ranking.

Example:
Links from social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. are often no-follow.

Fun fact:
Sometimes these no-follow backlinks get you visitors who become loyal readers.
So don’t ignore it bro, every link has its own story.

Natural Backlinks – Links given from the heart

These are backlinks that come organically.
That is, you didn’t force anyone, didn’t send emails, didn’t beg — your content was just so good that people started giving links themselves.

Example:
Suppose you wrote a detailed, easy guide on “How to make your website faster”.
And some other blogger says “I read a great article on speed optimization, check it out here” — and he gives you the link.

That’s it, it’s a natural backlink.

My take:

  • This backlink is given from the heart.
  • This is proof that your content is truly worth mentioning.
  • And frankly, such backlinks are rare, but when they do come, they are pure gold.

Manual Backlinks – Self-made relationships

You earn these backlinks by trying to do it yourself.

For example, through guest posting, forum participation, directory submission, or blogger outreach.

Example:

  • You send an email to someone saying, “Dude, I wrote a helpful article, if you like it, give me the link.”
  • Or you have a genuine discussion in a forum and naturally share your link there.
  • These backlinks can also be strong — if done smartly.
  • But if you do it just to spread spam, Google uncle will get angry.

Toxic Backlinks – Toxic relationships

Yes, there are some “toxic” relationships in the world of backlinks too.

These are backlinks that come from a spammy or irrelevant site, or are created through black-hat SEO tactics.

Example:

  • An adult or gambling site is linking to your cooking blog — makes zero sense, right?
  • Such backlinks ruin your reputation.

Pro tip:

  • Always check your backlink profile.
  • Tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console tell you where the backlinks are coming from.
  • If you find a suspicious link, disavow it — that is, tell Google, “Dude, ignore this link.”

Guest Post Backlinks – Grow Together

Guest posting was once all the rage.

And to be honest, even today, if done wisely, it is a very powerful way to get backlinks.

Example:
Let’s say your niche is “travel blogging.”

  • You write a guest post on another travel site — “Top 10 underrated destinations in Pakistan”
  • And you put your link in the author bio.
  • This backlink is pure manual + contextual, which is considered very valuable for SEO.
  • Just remember: the goal of a guest post shouldn’t just be a backlink — it should also have genuine value.

Contextual Backlinks – The real game changer

This backlink naturally fits into the main body of the article.
That is, it comes organically within the content, not in the footer or sidebar.

Example:

  • If someone is writing “Best ways to increase website speed”
  • And your link is naturally mentioned in between — that’s a contextual backlink.
  • These backlinks signal to Google that “this link is relevant and helpful”,
  • That’s why their ranking power is higher than the rest.

Image Backlinks – When images speak

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image backlinks - when images speak

Sometimes one of your infographics, charts or memes goes viral,
And someone else uses it on their site and gives you credit —
That’s it, that’s an image backlink.

Example:
If you created an infographic of the “SEO success cycle” and someone embeds it in their blog with credit,
Then that backlink will be both powerful and visual.

These backlinks increase traffic as well as brand recognition — because people remember visuals better.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1: = What is a backlink?

It’s simple – when another website links to your site,
then it’s a backlink. That means that person is saying, “This guy is good, listen to him.”
That’s the “trust signal” that Google likes.

Question 2: Does every backlink provide benefits?

No, brother, it’s not.
Some backlinks are gold, and some are pure poison.
Good backlinks are those that come from related and trusted sites.
And those that are spammy or irrelevant, they ruin the reputation of your website.

Question 3: What’s the difference between Do-Follow and No-Follow?

Understand that Do-Follow is a link that tells Google, “Come on, brother, give credit to this website.”
And No-Follow is what says “I’m mentioning you, but don’t talk about ranking.”
But both have their own benefits, especially in terms of traffic.

Question 4: Is it okay to get a backlink from a guest post?

Yes, absolutely, if you write with the right intention.
Just remember, the purpose of a guest post should not be just to get a link.
Write content that is really useful for the readers of other blogs,
Then the backlink itself becomes strong.

Question 5: What to do if a bad backlink comes?

Dude, first stay calm
This keeps happening.
Check where the link came from with Google Search Console or Ahrefs.
If a strange or adult/gambling type site is giving the link,
Then “disavow” it to Google — meaning, “Brother, ignore this link.”
That’s it.

Conclusion

All I have to say is that man, the cycle of backlinks is neither that difficult nor that easy. It’s all a game of patience and hard work. If you write really well, write from the heart, then people themselves link you. This thing cannot be done by force. I have seen it myself, when someone mentions your blog to himself, then that feeling is different. That’s what real backlinks are. All the rest is time pass.

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