Types of Link Building That Boost SEO

If you're aiming to improve your site's authority and rankings, understanding the different types of link building is essential. Not all backlinks are created equal, and knowing which strategies actually make an impact can save you from wasted effort or even penalties. You’ll want to focus on quality and relevance, but the real question is which methods work best for your goals. With so many options out there, it’s crucial to know where to start.

The Main Types of Link Building for SEO

Several primary types of link building should be considered as part of a balanced SEO strategy. Natural or organic links are earned by producing high-quality, shareable content that other sites reference voluntarily. Long-form articles, for example, tend to perform particularly well, attracting approximately 77.2% more links than shorter posts.

Manual link building relies on proactive outreach, such as guest posting or content collaborations. While this method can be effective, it often requires significant time and relationship management. To streamline this process, some businesses choose to work with a trustworthy link-building marketplace like MeUp, which can help connect brands with relevant publishers while maintaining quality standards.

Self-created links, including those from directory submissions or comment sections, have declined in effectiveness and may harm rankings if overused or poorly managed. Internal linking remains a critical yet often overlooked component of link building, as it helps distribute link equity, improve site structure, and support overall SEO performance when implemented strategically.

Building Authority With Editorial Backlinks

Top websites establish trust and authority within their industries through strategies such as earning editorial backlinks. These backlinks are organic links derived from high-quality, informative content.

When reputable sites like TechCrunch or Forbes (with Domain Ratings of 80 or higher) reference a website's content, search engines interpret these endorsements as indicators of credibility, thereby enhancing the site's authority and search engine rankings.

To attract such backlinks, it's essential to produce unique thought leadership articles, original research, or expert round-ups that provide substantial value.

Utilizing platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) or Help a B2B Writer can facilitate connections with journalists and influencers, thereby increasing the likelihood of obtaining quality mentions. The focus should be on genuine expertise, as editorial backlinks tend to reward meaningful contributions.

Manual Link Building Tactics You Can Use Today

Editorial backlinks are a valuable asset for enhancing a website’s authority, but depending solely on organic mentions may not ensure consistent link growth. Manual link building, which is the fifth most common strategy employed by digital marketers, allows for a more active approach.

For example, guest posting involves creating informative articles for other websites within the same industry, thereby gaining high-quality backlinks.

Another strategy is broken link building, which involves identifying non-functional links and suggesting your content as a suitable replacement, offering mutual benefits.

Additionally, soliciting expert comments on industry blogs can reinforce link-building efforts. These methods focus on direct outreach and the principle of mutual benefit, effectively contributing to strengthening a site's link profile.

How to Earn Natural Backlinks With Great Content

Generating backlinks is often linked to producing high-quality content.

Research indicates that long-form, comprehensive articles tend to generate 77.2% more backlinks compared to shorter content.

This suggests that in-depth material is more likely to be referenced or shared.

Content marketing is widely recognized as a strategy that facilitates the acquisition of passive links.

Visual content, such as infographics, tends to be particularly effective in attracting backlinks.

This is due to their ability to present information in a clear, engaging manner.

As a result, many marketers create infographics specifically to generate backlinks.

When it comes to written content, articles that explain “what” and “why” tend to receive more attention and links than “how-to” guides.

One effective strategy for earning backlinks is the Skyscraper technique.

This involves researching the most frequently linked content from competitors, and then creating a superior version of it.

Are Self-Created Links Worth It for SEO?

While earning backlinks naturally through high-quality content is generally considered an effective strategy, the question arises whether self-created links, such as those placed in blog comments, forums, or directories, have any merit for SEO.

Search engines typically perceive these self-created links as manipulative, often disregarding them or even imposing penalties.

SEO experts generally concur that these tactics seldom enhance your link profile and may negatively impact rankings.

Research indicates that high-quality backlinks from authoritative sources hold greater significance, whereas self-created links don't convey substantial value.

For sustainable SEO growth, it's advisable to avoid these methods and concentrate on genuine link acquisition.

Strengthening Your Site With Internal Linking Strategies

The structure of a website plays a crucial role in its effectiveness, and internal linking serves as a method to organize content for both users and search engines.

By connecting related pages, a website can establish a clear hierarchy, aiding search engines in efficiently crawling and indexing the site.

Internal links contribute to the distribution of link equity, which can enhance authority and improve domain rankings.

Employing descriptive anchor text is important for guiding users and optimizing site navigation.

It's essential to avoid leaving pages unlinked, as linking them purposefully can ensure they benefit from the site's authority.

Integrating internal linking into a content marketing strategy is advisable for maintaining an organized and authoritative web presence.

Visual Link Building: Infographics, Videos, and More

Enhancing your site's authority through visual link building involves the strategic use of infographics, videos, and other graphic assets to secure quality backlinks.

Research indicates that pages incorporating visuals tend to receive 555% more quality backlinks.

Marketers often find infographics to be particularly effective in generating shares and links.

When shared on platforms like Pinterest, both videos and infographics can further extend your reach, as these formats are easily embeddable by other sites.

Producing comprehensive, visually-rich content not only adds substantial value but also naturally attracts organic links.

Additionally, long-form content that includes visuals is associated with a 77.2% increase in link acquisition, thereby enhancing your SEO strategy.

Influencer Outreach and Guest Blogging for Backlinks

In addition to utilizing visuals, developing robust backlinks involves engaging with influential individuals and contributing substantive content to pertinent platforms.

As of 2025, influencer outreach is recognized as a prominent link-building strategy.

It allows for the acquisition of organic backlinks when influencers disseminate your content to their engaged audiences.

Similarly, guest blogging facilitates the acquisition of valuable dofollow links by enabling the publication of high-quality articles on authoritative sites within a specific niche.

Both tactics are consistently regarded by marketers as effective for generating passive links, enhancing SEO, and improving domain authority.

Reclaiming Lost Links: Broken Links and Unlinked Mentions

The digital landscape often sees valuable links becoming inactive or unreferenced, which can diminish the effectiveness of online content strategies.

Reclaiming lost links by addressing broken links and unlinked mentions can be an effective method to enhance a website's link profile.

Tools such as Check My Links can be utilized to identify non-functional links on relevant websites.

By proposing your content as a replacement, you can secure quality backlinks.

This method, advocated by SEO experts like Brian Dean, ensures that both you and the site owner maintain valuable content.

Addressing broken links not only aids in preserving the integrity of the web but also benefits both parties involved by retaining the link's value.

In the case of unlinked mentions, reaching out to websites that mention your brand without providing a link can be an efficient way to convert those mentions into active links.

This conversion can contribute to strengthening your link profile and extending your influence within your specific industry.

How to Evaluate Link Quality and Avoid SEO Penalties

To differentiate between a valuable backlink and one that might negatively impact your site, it's essential to evaluate several factors.

Begin with assessing the Domain Authority (DA) of the linking sites; a DA score above 50 generally indicates a strong and reliable source.

It's advisable to obtain editorial backlinks from relevant and high-quality websites, as these can enhance your rankings without risking penalties tied to paid or manipulative links.

It's important to avoid purchasing links, as Google enforces penalties against such practices, and paid links often result in more harm than benefit.

Utilizing tools like Ahrefs can help in conducting a thorough audit of your backlink profile.

This allows for the identification and disavowal of any spammy links that could be detrimental to your site's integrity.

Emphasis should be placed on acquiring dofollow links through content marketing efforts rather than self-created links.

This approach aids in constructing a robust and penalty-free SEO foundation.

Conclusion

To truly boost your SEO, you’ve got to diversify your link building strategies. Don’t just rely on one tactic—experiment with editorial backlinks, guest posting, and creative content like infographics. Reach out to influencers and always monitor your link profile for quality. Remember, earning natural links takes time, but it pays off. Focus on relevance and authority, avoid shady shortcuts, and you’ll see your rankings and site authority grow. Start building strong links today!