Stop Building Wrong Backlinks: Here's Every Type You Actually Need

So, What Even is a Backlink?

Think of a backlink like a recommendation. When another website links to yours, it is basically telling Google, "Hey, this site is worth checking out." The more good quality recommendations you have, the more Google trusts your website and pushes it higher in search results.

But here is the thing: not every backlink helps you. Some can actually drag your rankings down. So, before you start building links left, right and centre, it pays to know which ones are worth your time.

If you want to see how backlinks fit into a bigger search engine optimisation plan, it all starts with understanding what Google actually values.

 

Dofollow vs Nofollow: What is the Difference?

Every backlink is either a dofollow or a nofollow link. Here is what that means in plain English:

Dofollow links pass authority from one site to yours. Google follows them and uses them to decide how trustworthy your site is. These are the ones that directly help your rankings.

Nofollow links do not pass authority. But they still bring real people to your site and help your link profile look natural. A healthy mix of both is totally normal.

 

The Backlink Types You Should Be Going After

1. Editorial Backlinks

These are the best ones you can get. An editorial backlink happens when someone links to your content because they genuinely found it useful. You cannot pay for these; you earn them by publishing really good stuff. Think original research, helpful guides, or interesting data.

2. Guest Post Backlinks

This is where you write an article for another website and include a link back to yours. It works really well when you choose the right sites, ones that are relevant to your industry and have a good reputation. Avoid writing for dodgy or low quality sites just to grab a link.

3. Business Directory Backlinks

Getting your business listed in trusted directories like Google Business Profile or Yellow Pages gives you solid backlinks. These are especially handy for getting found by local customers searching nearby and are a great starting point for any local business.

4. Social Media Backlinks

Every time you share your content on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram, that is a backlink to your site. Most of them are nofollow, but they still drive traffic and show Google your content is being shared. Do not underestimate these.

5. Forum and Community Backlinks

Jumping into conversations on platforms like Quora or Reddit and genuinely helping people out can earn you backlinks. The key word is 'genuinely'. If you just drop links without adding anything useful, it looks like spam and can hurt you more than it helps.

6. Resource Page Backlinks

Loads of websites have a page where they list helpful tools and articles for their audience. You can reach out to site owners and suggest your content be added to their list. It is a simple strategy that a lot of businesses overlook.

7. Broken Link Backlinks

This one is clever. You find a broken link on someone else's website and reach out to let them know. Then you suggest your content as a replacement. They fix a problem on their site and you walk away with a new backlink. It is a win for both sides.

8. Press Release and PR Backlinks

Getting featured in a news article or putting out a press release can earn you links from high authority media sites. These carry a lot of weight with Google because news sites are generally very trusted.

9. Testimonial Backlinks

If you use a product or service and write a testimonial for them, many businesses will post it on their website and link back to yours. It is an easy one to overlook but it works well and helps build good relationships at the same time.

10. Image and Infographic Backlinks

When you create original graphics or infographics, other sites might use them and credit you with a link. It is a great way to earn backlinks passively just by putting out visual content people actually want to share.

 

Backlinks That Will Hurt You: Stay Away From These

Not every link is a good link. Some will do real damage to your rankings:

• Links from spammy websites with rubbish content
• Buying backlinks in bulk from dodgy link sellers
• Links from websites that have nothing to do with your industry
• Private blog network (PBN) links built purely to trick Google
• Links hidden in footers copied across thousands of sites

Google is very good at spotting unnatural link patterns. If it catches you trying to game the system, your rankings can drop hard and fast.

 

How It All Fits Together

Backlinks are important but they are just one part of the bigger picture. You also need solid content, a well built website and a good user experience to really move the needle in search results.

A strong content marketing approach goes hand in hand with link building because great content is what naturally attracts links in the first place.

If you are not sure where to start or want someone to take it off your plate, the team at Cubic Digital in Melbourne can put together a strategy that actually gets results.

 

In Summary

The bottom line is simple. Good backlinks come from good work. Focus on earning links from trusted, relevant websites, produce content that genuinely helps people, and give Google a reason to rank you higher.

Stop chasing quick wins and start building something that actually lasts. Your SEO results will thank you for it.

When you are ready to put a real strategy in place, get in touch with our digital marketing experts and we will help you build an online presence that drives real growth.