If you’re serious about ranking on Google and other search engines, there is one SEO weapon you absolutely can’t ignore: backlinks.
In fact, according to an updated study from Backlinko, backlinks are still one of Google’s top three ranking factors. That means, no matter how optimized your content is, without quality backlinks, you’re leaving traffic—and money—on the table.
But here’s the thing: not all backlinks are created equal. Some will improve your rankings, while others can do more harm than good.
That’s exactly why we have put together this guide. You’re about to discover the complete hierarchy of backlink types—from the ones that move the needle to the ones that don’t.
And by the end, you’ll not only know which backlinks matter most, and how to use the right anchor text, but you’ll also get actionable tips throughout to start building them right away.
Let’s jump in!
Backlink Hierarchy Based On SEO Impact
Backlinks are more than just links; they’re connections that signal the trustworthiness and relevance of your content. The impact of backlinks depends on their volume, relevance, and source (authority).
Top Tier Backlink Types (Most Impactful)
These backlinks are your SEO powerhouses. They’re the hardest to earn but offer the most value in terms of ranking potential and authority. Even a few of them can significantly impact your rankings in a good way.- Editorial Backlinks
- Contextual Backlinks
- DoFollow Backlinks
Mid Tier (Moderate Impact)
While not as impactful as the top-tier links, these backlinks still hold significant value. They can boost your SEO when earned from relevant and authoritative sources. Here you can start seeing more volume coming in.- Guest Post Links
- Resource Page Backlinks
- Broken Link Building
- Image/Infographic Backlinks
Bottom Tier (Least Impactful)
These backlinks carry the least weight for search engines. While they shouldn’t be your primary focus, they can still play a role in diversifying your backlink profile. However, being cautious is important, as some low-quality link sources can even harm your site.- NoFollow Backlinks
- Profile Backlinks
- Forum/Comment Backlinks
- Directory Backlinks
Detailed Breakdown of Each Backlink Type
Each section will dive into one backlink type with a short tip at the end:#1: Editorial Backlinks (Top Tier)
If you’re aiming to seriously boost your rankings, editorial backlinks are like hitting the SEO jackpot. These are the links Google loves most because they’re earned naturally—no need for outreach, no paid links. Just pure, authentic SEO signal.What are Editorial Backlinks?
Think of editorial backlinks as a high-five from another website. They’re links that other sites add to their content because they genuinely find your page valuable and worth sharing.
Why Are They So Important?
Here’s why editorial backlinks are such a big deal: They’re tough to get, but when you do, they pack a serious punch. Google sees these links as a vote of confidence in your content. And that’s exactly what pushes your page higher up in search results. Pages with a solid number of editorial backlinks tend to outshine others because these links carry more SEO juice (also known as link equity). The better the site linking to you, the more it helps your rankings.Where Can You Get Editorial Backlinks?
You can’t just snap your fingers and get an editorial backlink. But the upside? You can earn them by creating content that’s simply too good to ignore. Here’s how:- Publish original research: If you’re the first to share new data or insights, people will want to link to it. Industry experts love referencing valuable research.
- Create in-depth guides: Comprehensive, step-by-step guides that answer every possible question on a topic are often cited by bloggers and journalists alike.
- Jump on trending topics: Find a hot topic in your niche and put a unique spin on it. That’s how you can catch the attention of news outlets and earn those coveted links.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Editorial Links?
Without editorial backlinks, your SEO game might stall. Why? Because Google needs to see signs that other trustworthy sites believe in your content. Without those signals, climbing the rankings could be an uphill battle—even if you’ve nailed your on-page SEO. And if your competitors are stacking up editorial backlinks while you’re relying on weaker ones, you might find yourself falling behind. So, if you’re serious about long-term SEO growth, focus on creating content that’s link-worthy. Editorial backlinks might take time and effort to earn, but the link juice is absolutely worth it.#2: Contextual Backlinks (Top Tier)
These are links placed within the body of a relevant article or blog post.
The Difference Between Editorial and Contextual Backlinks
At first glance, editorial and contextual backlinks might seem like the same thing—they’re both valuable and they both appear in content. But there’s a key difference between the two:- Editorial Backlinks are earned organically without any direct effort from you. A site links to your content because it adds value to their article, whether by offering new information, research, step-by-step guides, or infographics.
- Contextual Backlinks may or may not be earned organically, but they are always embedded within relevant content. You can sometimes influence or request contextual backlinks, especially in guest posts, but they are still positioned within a relevant article.
Example to Illustrate the Difference:
Let’s say you run a fitness blog and you’ve just published an in-depth guide on “10 Proven Ways to Lose Weight.” If a health website links to your guide in an article titled “Top Health Resources for 2024,” that’s an editorial backlink—they found your guide, loved it, and linked to it naturally without you asking. Now, imagine you write a blog post about “Effective Workouts for Busy Professionals” and now you ask a relevant website to include your article in their article. That’s a contextual backlink—you have asked to place the link within a relevant article because it made sense in the content context.#3: DoFollow Backlinks (Top Tier)
Of course, it’s not just about where your link sits but also how much authority it passes. That’s where DoFollow backlinks come in. Unlike NoFollow links (which we’ll cover later), DoFollow links pass SEO authority directly to your site, boosting your rankings.
#4: Guest Post Backlinks (Mid Tier)
When it comes to guest post backlinks, you’re exchanging content for links. The benefit? You get to place your link in high-quality, relevant content. The challenge? It takes time to craft valuable posts, and not all sites are open for collaboration.
#5: Resource Page Backlinks (Mid Tier)
Another good way to build backlinks is through resource pages—curated lists of useful content or tools on a specific topic. If you get your content listed on one of these pages, you’ll earn a solid backlink from a trusted source. The key? Your content needs to provide real value. Tip: Craft an outreach pitch that highlights why your resource is a perfect fit for their list. Make it clear how your content will enhance the user experience.#6: Broken Link Building (Mid Tier)
Ever stumbled across a dead link while browsing? That’s where broken link building comes in. By finding broken links on websites in your niche and suggesting your content as a replacement, you’re offering value to the other website owners while securing a backlink for yourself. It’s a win-win.
#6: Broken Link Building (Mid Tier)
Ever stumbled across a dead link while browsing? That’s where broken link building comes in. By finding broken links on websites in your niche and suggesting your content as a replacement, you’re offering value to the other website owners while securing a backlink for yourself. It’s a win-win. Tip: Use tools like Ahrefs to find broken links on relevant sites. Once identified, craft a polite and helpful email (you will find the email template later in this article) offering your content as a solution.#7: Image/Infographic Backlinks (Mid Tier)
Visual content, like images and infographics, can earn you a ton of natural backlinks. People love to share engaging visuals, and when they do, they often link back to the source—you. These backlinks aren’t just SEO gold; they also share your brand visually.
Tip: Avoid mass directory submissions. Stick to high-quality directories that are relevant to your industry or local area to avoid penalties from Google.
Broken Link Outreach Email Template
Here is the resource you have been waiting for!
Once you’ve found a broken link on a relevant site, the next step is outreach. The key is to be polite, clear, and offer value to the site owner. Below is a simple yet effective email template you can use:
Subject: Found a Broken Link on [Website Name] – Here’s a Fix!
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
I was browsing through your [specific page or article title] on [Website Name] and noticed that one of the links you’ve included seems to be broken. The link in question is the one pointing to [describe the broken link, e.g., “SEO guide”] at [insert broken link URL].
I thought I’d let you know. Actually, I have a similar resource on [your topic] that could be a great fit as a replacement for that broken link: [insert your content URL].
Thanks so much for considering it! Let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]
The Impact of A Descriptive Anchor Text on Backlink Quality
Now that we have covered the different types of backlinks, let’s devote some time to anchor text—the clickable text in a hyperlink. It plays a significant role in influencing how search engines interpret the relevance of your link.
Tip: Avoid mass directory submissions. Stick to high-quality directories that are relevant to your industry or local area to avoid penalties from Google.
Broken Link Outreach Email Template
Here is the resource you have been waiting for!
Once you’ve found a broken link on a relevant site, the next step is outreach. The key is to be polite, clear, and offer value to the site owner. Below is a simple yet effective email template you can use:
Subject: Found a Broken Link on [Website Name] – Here’s a Fix!
Hi [Recipient’s Name],
I was browsing through your [specific page or article title] on [Website Name] and noticed that one of the links you’ve included seems to be broken. The link in question is the one pointing to [describe the broken link, e.g., “SEO guide”] at [insert broken link URL].
I thought I’d let you know. Actually, I have a similar resource on [your topic] that could be a great fit as a replacement for that broken link: [insert your content URL].
Thanks so much for considering it! Let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]
The Impact of A Descriptive Anchor Text on Backlink Quality
Now that we have covered the different types of backlinks, let’s devote some time to anchor text—the clickable text in a hyperlink. It plays a significant role in influencing how search engines interpret the relevance of your link.
Search engines use anchor text as a contextual clue to understand the topic of the linked page. This means the right anchor text can boost your rankings for target keywords, while over-optimized or irrelevant anchor text can actually hurt your SEO.
Why Anchor Text Matters for SEO
Anchor text helps Google and other search engines understand the content of the linked page. For example, if many sites link to your page with the anchor text “best SEO strategies”, Google will assume that your page is highly relevant for that term and is more likely to rank it higher for that keyword.
However, not all anchor text is created equal. Here’s a breakdown of different types of anchor text and how they affect your SEO:
- Exact Match Anchor Text: This is when the anchor text matches your target keyword exactly (e.g., “SEO tips”). While powerful, using too much exact match anchor text can be risky and may trigger Google’s spam filters.
- Partial Match Anchor Text: This is when the anchor text includes variations of your target keyword (e.g., “effective SEO tips”). It’s safer than an exact match and still helps signal relevance without being overly aggressive.
- Branded Anchor Text: This uses your brand name as the anchor text (e.g., “ClickCrows”). It’s great for building brand authority and is considered safe in terms of SEO.
- Generic Anchor Text: Phrases like “click here” or “learn more” fall into this category. While they don’t help much with keyword targeting, they create a natural browsing experience.
- Naked URL Anchor Text: When the URL itself is the anchor text (e.g., www.clickcrows.com). It’s neutral in terms of SEO.
- Pro Tip: Avoid stuffing keywords into every link. A mix of branded, generic, and keyword-relevant anchors looks more organic and helps prevent penalties.
Building a Balanced Backlink Profile
When it comes to SEO success, having a diverse and balanced backlink profile is essential. While every backlink type has its place, the real power lies in high-quality editorial and contextual backlinks.
These links, especially when tied to well-written content and engaging infographics, are your strongest tools to boost your rankings. The combination of valuable content and compelling visuals naturally attracts backlinks, making your site more authoritative in the eyes of search engines.
By focusing on creating link-worthy content and smartly leveraging strategies like guest posts, resource pages, and broken link building, you can build a profile that drives long-term results. And remember, while quantity matters, quality should always come first.
If you haven’t yet given your backlink profile the attention it deserves, now is the time. Start implementing the tips we’ve covered today and watch your SEO improve.
And if you ever need guidance along the way, feel free to reach out to Click Crows, we are here to help you improve your business.
FAQ Section
he number of backlinks you need depends on factors like the competition in your niche, the authority of the websites linking to you, and the quality of your content.
It’s not just about quantity; a handful of high-quality backlinks can have a greater impact than hundreds of low-quality ones. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles and set realistic goals.
Harmful backlinks can negatively affect your rankings. To avoid them, don’t engage in black-hat SEO tactics like buying backlinks or using automated link-building tools.
Focus on earning backlinks naturally by creating high-quality content. Regularly audit your backlink profile using tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs, and disavow any suspicious or spammy links to protect your site’s reputation.
Backlinks don’t provide instant results. It typically takes a few months for backlinks to be indexed and begin influencing your rankings. The timeline depends on factors like the authority of the linking site and how often Google crawls that site. Keep building high-quality backlinks consistently, and over time, you’ll see gradual improvements in your rankings.
