Software Engineering basics - Types of backlink
1. Do-Follow Backlink
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This is the most valuable type of backlink.
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It tells search engines: “Hey, I trust this website!”
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These backlinks help improve your website’s SEO and ranking.
Example:
If a news website links to your blog with a do-follow link, Google counts that as a recommendation.
2. No-Follow Backlink
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This backlink has a special tag that tells search engines:
“Don’t follow or pass SEO value to this link.” -
It doesn’t help your ranking much, but can still bring traffic.
Example:
Most social media platforms and comment sections give no-follow links.
3. Sponsored Backlink
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This is used when a website is paid to post a link.
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It must include a tag like
rel="sponsored"
to show it’s a paid promotion. -
Search engines treat it differently, so it doesn’t pass full SEO power.
Example:
If a brand pays a blogger to mention their product and include a link, it should be a sponsored backlink.
4. UGC Backlink (User-Generated Content)
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UGC stands for User-Generated Content.
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These links come from things users post, like forum comments, blog comments, or social media posts.
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They should be marked with
rel="ugc"
.
Example:
If someone leaves a comment on a blog and includes a link to their website, it’s a UGC backlink.
5. Natural Backlink
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These links happen organically, without asking or paying.
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They are the best kind for SEO.
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Usually come when someone finds your content useful and links to it naturally.
Example:
A teacher finds your article helpful and links to it in their school website’s resources.
6. Manual or Built Backlink
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These are created intentionally, like by guest posting or reaching out to websites.
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If done correctly, they can help SEO — but search engines prefer natural backlinks.
Example:
You write a guest post on another blog and include a link to your website.