February 5, 2025 Varun

What are the Different Types of Links Used in Link Building?

Introduction

Link building is one of the pillars of SEO success, helping websites boost their authority, increase visibility, and secure higher rankings on search engines. It is not just about acquiring links but building a strategic network of quality connections that signal trust to search engines. However, not all links are created equal, and understanding the types of links used in link building is critical for website editors, webmasters, marketing managers, content creators, and bloggers.

Whether you’re enhancing an e-commerce platform or driving traffic to a blog, selecting the right link types is essential for a winning digital marketing strategy. This blog will guide you through the diverse types of links essential for an effective link-building strategy.

Table of Contents

  • What is Link Building?
  • Why Are Links Important in SEO?
  • Types of Links Used in Link Building
  • Backlinks (Inbound Links)
  • Internal Links
  • External Links (Outbound Links)
  • DoFollow Links
  • NoFollow Links
  • Anchor Text Links
  • Image Links
  • Practical Tips for Using Links Effectively
  • Conclusion

What is Link Building?

Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own. These hyperlinks, serve as pathways connecting web pages across the vast landscape of the internet.

Search engines like Google use links to discover new pages and determine their relevance, authority, and quality, making them a critical part of search engine optimization (SEO).

Backlinks building

Why Are Links Important in SEO?

Links serve as trust signals for search engines. The more high-quality links your website has, the more authoritative and credible it appears. Here are some key statistics that emphasize the importance of links:

  • According to a study by Ahrefs, 91% of all web pages receive zero traffic from Google, largely due to a lack of backlinks.
  • Websites with a higher number of backlinks tend to rank higher on Google’s SERPs, as reported by Backlinko, based on their respective methodologies.

These statistics highlight the importance of building a robust link profile to improve rankings and drive traffic

search engine optimization

Types of Links Used in Link Building

  1. Backlinks (Inbound Links)

    2. Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your site. They are considered a vote of confidence and play a significant role in improving domain authority and search rankings.

    Example: If a popular blog references your article and links back to your website, that’s a backlink.

    Benefits:
    • Increases referral traffic.
    • Enhances domain authority.
    • Boosts SERP rankings.
  2. Internal Links

    3. Internal links are hyperlinks that connect one page of a website to another page on the same domain. These links enhance site navigation while also distributing link equity (ranking power) across pages to improve SEO performance.

    Example: A blog post linking to a related article within the same website.

    Benefits:
    • Enhances user experience by improving navigation.
    • Helps search engines crawl and index your site effectively.
    • Encourages visitors to stay on your site longer.
  3. External Links (Outbound Links)

    4. External links point from your website to another domain. While they don’t directly benefit your rankings, they improve credibility by providing valuable references to readers.

    Example: Linking to a credible source like Google’s guidelines in your content.

    Benefits:
    • Establishes your content’s credibility.
    • Enhances the reader’s experience by providing additional context.
  4. DoFollow Links

    5. DoFollow links allow search engines to follow and transfer link equity (SEO value) to the linked page, boosting its authority. These are the most desirable types of links for SEO purposes.

    Example:A DoFollow link from a high-authority domain like Forbes.

    Benefits:
    • Boosts the linked page’s SEO value.
    • Contributes to higher search rankings.
  5. NoFollow Links

    6. NoFollow links instruct search engines not to pass link equity to the destination page.While they don’t directly impact rankings, NoFollow links still hold value in driving traffic and increasing visibility, especially when linked from reputable sites.

    Example: Links in the comments section of a blog often carry the NoFollow attribute.

    Benefits:
    • Protects your site from spammy backlinks.
    • Drives traffic despite not passing SEO value.
  6. Anchor Text Links

    7. Anchor text links use descriptive text to hyperlink to another page. They help both users and search engines understand the context of the linked page.

    Example: The phrase “Best SEO tools” hyperlinked to a page listing SEO tools.

    Benefits:
    • Improves keyword relevance.
    • Enhances the user experience.
  7. Image Links

    8. Image links are hyperlinks attached to images. These links can serve as backlinks or internal links, offering a visual way for users to navigate.

    Example: Clicking on a product image that redirects to its purchase page.

    Benefits:
    • Engages users visually.
    • Drives traffic when optimized with proper alt text.

Practical Tips for Using Links Effectively

  • Focus on Quality Over Quantity: A few high-quality links from authoritative domains are more impactful than numerous low-quality links, provided they are relevant to your content.
  • Diversify Your Link Profile: Use a mix of backlinks, internal links, and anchor text links for a balanced strategy.
  • Leverage Tools: Use SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to analyze and improve your link-building campaigns.
  • Monitor Broken Links: Regularly audit your website for broken links and replace them to maintain a seamless user experience.

Conclusion

Link building is a fundamental aspect of SEO that requires a strategic approach. By understanding and effectively utilizing different types of links, website editors, webmasters, and content creators can enhance their website’s authority, user experience, and visibility in search engines.

Each link type—whether internal, external, or backlinks—plays a vital role in boosting your website’s authority, visibility, and SEO performance. Start implementing these link-building strategies today to stay ahead in the competitive online landscape.

Need expert assistance in crafting a robust link-building strategy? Contact Tecobytes to take your website’s SEO to the next level!