Types of link building in SEO – A Complete Guide
Published: 26 Dec 2025
Did you know that backlinks are one of Google’s important ranking factors? Without quality backlinks, even the best content may not rank well. That is why understanding the types of link building in SEO is important for website owners and beginners alike. Different link building methods help search engines trust your website and improve its authority over time.

What are the Types of link building in SEO?
These are different link-building techniques used to earn backlinks from other websites to improve search engine rankings and website authority. This type of link building helps search engines understand a website’s value and trust. Here are 20 types of link building.
- Natural (Editorial) Link Building
- Manual Link Building
- White Hat Link Building
- Black Hat Link Building
- Grey Hat Link Building
- Guest Posting (Guest Blogging)
- Broken Link Building
- Resource Page Link Building
- Skyscraper Technique
- Social Media Link Building
- Business Directory Link Building
- Forum & Community Link Building
- Influencer Outreach Link Building
- Niche Edit (Link Insertion)
- Press Release Link Building
- Local Link Building
- Digital PR Link Building
- Image Link Building
- Video Link Building
- Profile link building
1. Natural (Editorial) Link Building
Natural link building is when other websites link to your content on their own. You don’t ask for it, and you don’t pay for it. Google likes these links because they happen naturally. They show that your content is useful and trustworthy.
You get natural links when your content helps people or solves a problem. For example, you write a clear guide, a helpful tutorial, or an original study. Other bloggers or website owners find it useful and add your link in their articles. This type of link building is safe, reliable, and works long-term.
2. Manual Link Building
Manual link building is when you reach out to other websites to get a backlink. You contact bloggers, website owners, or editors. You ask them to link to your content because it is helpful for their readers.
This type of link building needs effort and planning. You have to write polite emails and explain why your content is helpful. Manual links are safe if you follow Google’s rules. They help you build relationships with other websites and grow your website authority.
3. White Hat Link Building
In this type, using safe, Google-approved methods to get backlinks. You follow the rules and focus on quality content.
It is long-term and reliable link building. You can write helpful guides, create tutorials, or do guest posts. When other websites link to you naturally or through proper outreach, your website gains trust and authority. White hat links are the best choice for beginners because they do not carry the risk of Google penalties.
4. Grey Hat Link Building
It is a mix of safe and risky methods. You do things that Google may allow, but sometimes they can be dangerous. For example, you might ask for links in ways that are not fully natural. Or you use small tricks to get backlinks faster.
Grey hat links can help your website grow, but if you use them too much, they can cause problems. Beginners should be careful. It is better to focus on white hat and natural links first for long-term success.
5. Black Hat Link Building
This type of link building refers to the use of deceptive or unethical methods to acquire backlinks. These methods try to fool Google. For example, buying links, spamming comments, or using automated tools to create many links quickly.
These links can give fast results, but they are very risky. Google can penalize your website or remove it from search results. Beginners should avoid black-hat methods and focus on natural, white-hat, and safe strategies for long-term success.
6. Guest Posting (Guest Blogging)
Guest Posting means writing an article for another website and adding a link back to your site. You create helpful content for someone else’s audience. In return, you get a backlink.
This method is safe and effective. It helps you build relationships with other bloggers and websites. Guest posts also increase your website’s trust and authority in Google. Always focus on high-quality sites in your niche for the best results.
7. Broken Link Building
In this type, you find broken links on other websites and offer your content as a replacement. A broken link is one that no longer works. You help the website fix it by giving them a useful link.
This method is safe and effective. It helps you earn backlinks naturally. You also build good relationships with website owners. Always make sure your content matches the broken link topic for the best results.
8. Resource Page Link Building
Many websites have a page that shares helpful links for their readers. You can ask them to add your content if it is useful.
This method is safe and effective. It helps you get relevant backlinks and reach new audiences. Always make sure your content matches the topic of the resource page. This increases your chance of getting approved and linked.
9. Skyscraper Technique
In this method, you find popular content in your niche and create something better and more useful. You make your content taller, more detailed, and more helpful than others.
After creating it, you reach out to websites that linked to the old content. You show them your improved version and ask them to link to it. This method is safe, effective, and helps you earn high-quality backlinks.
10. Social Media Link Building
In this method, you share your content on social media to reach more people. When people find your content useful, they may link to it on their websites or blogs.
This type is safe and helpful. It brings more visitors to your site and increases your content’s reach. Focus on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to attract natural backlinks and grow your website.
11. Business Directory Link Building
In this method, you add your website to trusted online directories. These directories show a list of websites by category or location. People can find your website easily through these listings.
This method is good for local websites. It helps search engines understand your business better. Always choose safe and relevant directories. Stay away from low-quality sites. They can hurt your website.
12. Forum & Community Link Building
In this type, you join forums and online communities related to your topic. You take part in discussions and help people by answering their questions. When it is useful, you share your website link.
This method helps you build trust and bring visitors to your site. Always share links only when needed. Avoid spam. Focus on helping people first. This keeps your website safe.
13. Influencer Outreach Link Building
In this method, you contact popular people in your niche. They have blogs or websites with many readers. You share your content with them in a polite way.
If they like your content, they may share it or link to it. This helps your website reach more people. Always be respectful. Share helpful content only. This keeps your link building safe.
14. Niche Edit (Link Insertion)
In this method, you add your link to an existing article on another website. The article has already been published and is getting traffic. Your link fits naturally inside the content.
It can give quick results if done carefully. Always choose relevant and trusted websites. Do not force links. Natural placement keeps your website safe.
15. Press Release Link Building
You share news about your business or website through press releases. This news can be about a launch, update, or achievement. News websites may publish it and add your link.
This method helps your website get attention. It also builds trust. Do not overuse press releases. Share real and useful news only. This keeps your website safe.
16. Local Link Building
You get links from websites in your local area. These can be local blogs, news sites, or business pages. This helps people near you find your website easily.
This method is very useful for local businesses. It builds trust with search engines. Always choose real and local websites. This helps your site grow safely.
17. Digital PR Link Building
You share strong and useful stories on your website. These stories can be about data, research, or something new. News sites and blogs may talk about it and link to your website.
This method helps you get high-quality links. It also builds your brand trust. Focus on real and interesting stories. This brings safe and long-term results.
18. Image Link Building
In this method, you create clear, helpful images for your content. These can be charts, infographics, or simple visuals. Other websites may use your image in their articles.
When they use it, they give credit with a link to your website. This helps you earn backlinks naturally. Always use original images. This keeps your website safe.
19. Video Link Building
In this type, you create helpful videos for your content. These can be tutorials, guides, or explanations. Other websites may use or share your video in their articles.
When they share your video, they often add a link to your website. This helps you get natural backlinks. Always make original and helpful videos. This keeps your website safe.
20. Profile Link Building
You create profiles on trusted websites. These can be forums, communities, or business platforms. You add your website link in the profile section.
This method helps people find your website. Use only real and active sites. Do not create many fake profiles. Keep your profile clean and honest.
Types of Backlinks Based on Link Attributes
Link attributes tell search engines how to treat a link. Some links help with SEO, while others do not pass ranking value. Understanding these link types helps you build a safe backlink profile.

1. Do-Follow Links
Do-follow links pass SEO value to your website. Search engines follow these links and count them for rankings. These links are very important for SEO growth.
2. No-Follow Links
No-follow links do not pass SEO value. Search engines do not use them for ranking. They are still useful because they bring traffic and help build trust.
3. Sponsored Links
Sponsored links are paid links. They show that the link is part of an ad or promotion. Using this tag keeps your website safe from Google penalties.
4. UGC (User-Generated Content) Links
UGC links come from user-generated content such as comments, forums, or reviews. These links help Google understand that users created them. They also protect websites from spam.
Conclusion
So, friends, we are almost done. In this post, we have covered the Types of link building in SEO. From my experience, the best approach is to focus on natural, white-hat link building. These methods are safe and work well in the long run. Avoid shortcuts and risky links. Now, start using the right link building methods step by step and grow your website the safe way.
FAQs about link-building methods in seo
Natural and white hat link building are best for beginners. They are safe and comply with Google’s rules. These methods give long-term results.
No, not all backlinks are good. Low-quality or spam links can harm your website. Always focus on quality and relevance.
Yes, guest posting is still helpful when done correctly. It helps you get links from trusted websites. Always choose relevant and high-quality sites.
There is no fixed number of backlinks. Quality matters more than quantity. A few strong links are better than many weak ones.
Yes, wrong link building can harm your website. Using black hat methods can cause Google penalties. Always use safe link building methods.
Yes, you can build links for free. Content-based, natural, and outreach methods do not need money. They only need time and effort.

- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks

- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks