Find out what quality backlinks are and how they might enhance your website’s SEO ranking. Backlinks are among the ranking factors used by Google in SERP (search results page) rankings. They were among the earliest metrics used by Google to assess a website’s popularity, based on the premise that a page with many inbound links is more authoritative than one with none.
However, in recent years, Google has imposed many restrictions in response to web administrators’ widely biased use of backlinks. Its algorithm has also begun assessing other types of website mentions, such as linkless mentions (i.e., simple citations to a website without links).
Table of Contents
What Are Backlinks in SEO?
| Aspect | Explanation |
| Definition | Backlinks (also called inbound or incoming links) are links from one website to another. In SEO, they act as votes of confidence that signal trust and authority to search engines. |
| Why Backlinks Matter | Search engines like Google use backlinks as a core ranking factor. More high-quality backlinks usually mean higher rankings in search results. |
| How Backlinks Work | When Site A links to Site B, it passes authority (link equity). Search engines interpret this as Site B being valuable or trustworthy. |
| DoFollow vs NoFollow | DoFollow links pass SEO authority and help rankings. NoFollow links don’t pass authority directly but help with traffic and a natural link profile. |
| Quality vs Quantity | A few links from high-authority, relevant sites outperform hundreds of low-quality or spammy links. |
| Anchor Text | The clickable text of a backlink. Natural anchors help SEO; over-optimized anchors can cause penalties. |
| Types of Backlinks | Editorial links, guest posts, citations, directory links, social links, PR links. |
| Good Backlink Sources | News sites, blogs in your niche, industry resources, educational sites, partners. |
| Bad Backlink Sources | Link farms, spam directories, PBNs, auto-generated sites, irrelevant foreign sites. |
| Backlinks & Trust | Backlinks help build domain authority, trust, and credibility in your industry. |
| Impact on Traffic | Beyond SEO, backlinks can drive referral traffic from relevant audiences. |
| White-Hat vs Black-Hat | White-hat backlinks are earned naturally. Black-hat backlinks are manipulated and risky. |
| How to Track Backlinks | Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and Google Search Console. |
| Best Practice | Focus on earning relevant, editorial, high-quality backlinks consistently over time. |
Why Backlinks Are Important for Google Rankings?
Backlinks help Google measure trust and authority.
Think of Backlinks Like Recommendations
If many reliable websites recommend your page, Google assumes your content is high quality.
Google Values:
- Links from high-authority websites
- Links from relevant niches
- Editorial links (earned, not paid)
What Google Penalizes:
- Spammy links
- Paid links without disclosure
- Link farms and PBNs
- Irrelevant backlinks
So, backlinks don’t just affect rankings — they affect your site’s trustworthiness.
What Is the Meaning of Quality Backlinks?
The term “backlinks” refers to hyperlinks that go to specific websites. Backlinks are not all made equal. As previously stated, after web administrators realized the significance that this component has taken for the Google algorithm. They learned to evade it through illegal means such as buying packages. At that time, Google adapted and began to prioritize only “quality” inbound connections when determining the popularity and authority of a web page. But what does that mean?
It refers to an authoritative source that points to a relevant online page. The principle of relevancy is critical since Google currently does not regard or. Worse, penalize a website with an irrelevant incoming link. Aside from the source’s quality and the backlink’s relevance. Web admins will force to roll up their sleeves and quickly learn how to develop quality backlinks without the opportunity to buy links or engage in other unethical actions that Google now sanctions.
How to Obtain High-Quality Backlinks
| Method | How It Works | Link Quality | Cost Range | Best For |
| Guest Posting (Editorial) | Publish valuable articles on relevant, authoritative websites | High | $50 – $500+ per link | Authority building, keyword rankings |
| Digital PR & HARO | Earn links by providing expert insights to journalists | Very High | Free – $1,000+ (PR tools) | Brand authority, media exposure |
| Linkable Assets | Create data studies, tools, guides others want to cite | Very High | Mostly free (content cost) | Natural, long-term links |
| Competitor Backlink Replication | Get links from sites already linking to competitors | High | Free – $300 | Fast wins, proven sources |
| Resource Page Link Building | Get listed on niche resource pages | High | Free – $150 | Evergreen backlinks |
| Broken Link Building | Replace dead links with your relevant content | High | Free – $100 | White-hat SEO |
| Niche Edits (Contextual Links) | Insert links into existing relevant content | High | $50 – $400 | Ranking boosts |
| Unlinked Brand Mentions | Ask sites mentioning your brand to add a link | High | Free | Easy authority links |
| Skyscraper Technique | Improve top-ranking content and earn links to it | High | Content cost | Competitive niches |
| Local Citations | List business info on local directories | Medium | Free – $100 | Local SEO |
| Partnership & Sponsorship Links | Earn links through collaborations or sponsorships | High | Varies | Trust & relevance |
| Testimonials & Case Studies | Provide testimonials to tools/services you use | High | Free | SaaS & B2B |
What Makes a Backlink “High-Quality”?
Relevant to your niche
Comes from a site with real traffic
Editorially placed (not automated)
Natural anchor text
DoFollow (preferred, but mix matters)
Links to Avoid
- Bulk backlinks
- PBNs & spammy directories
- Comment spam
- Irrelevant foreign sites
- Over-optimized anchors
Types of Backlinks: DoFollow vs NoFollow
| Factor | DoFollow Backlinks | NoFollow Backlinks |
| Definition | Standard backlinks that allow search engines to pass ranking authority (link equity) | Backlinks with a rel=”nofollow” attribute that tell search engines not to pass ranking authority |
| SEO Impact | Directly influence search rankings and domain authority | No direct ranking boost (but indirect benefits exist) |
| Link Equity (PageRank) | Passed from the linking site to your site | Not passed (or heavily discounted) |
| Purpose | Boost rankings, authority, and organic visibility | Prevent spam, paid links, or untrusted references |
| Indexing | Search engines crawl and follow the link | Search engines may crawl but don’t count authority |
| Common Sources | Editorial articles, guest posts, niche blogs, resource pages | Social media, forums, blog comments, Wikipedia |
| Google Guidelines | Preferred for natural editorial links | Recommended for sponsored, user-generated, or paid links |
| Risk Level | Medium if manipulated or over-optimized | Very low risk |
| Anchor Text Value | Anchor text influences keyword rankings | Anchor text has little to no ranking effect |
| Traffic Potential | High if placed on relevant, high-traffic sites | Can still drive strong referral traffic |
| Best Use Case | Building authority and improving SEO rankings | Brand visibility, diversification, traffic, and trust signals |
| Examples | News articles, high-quality guest posts | Facebook links, YouTube descriptions, Reddit |
| Cost (If Paid) | $50 – $1,000+ per link (varies by authority & country) | Usually free |
| SEO Strategy Role | Core ranking signal | Supports natural link profile |
Quick Summary
- DoFollow links = SEO power
- NoFollow links = safety, traffic, and natural balance
Best Practice
A healthy backlink profile includes both types:
- ~60–70% DoFollow
- ~30–40% NoFollow
How to Disavow Backlinks in Ahrefs (Step-by-Step Guide)
⚠️ Important: Ahrefs does not submit disavow files to Google for you. It helps you identify bad backlinks and prepare the file. The actual disavow submission happens in Google Search Console.
| Step | Action in Ahrefs | What to Do | Pro Tips / Notes |
| 1 | Log in to Ahrefs Site Explorer | Enter your website domain | Use the Exact URL or Domain mode depending on your scope |
| 2 | Go to Backlinks or Referring Domains | Review all inbound links | Start with Referring Domains to disavow at domain level |
| 3 | Apply Filters | Filter by DR (low), Spammy anchors, Language, Traffic = 0 | Common spam signs: foreign language, casino, pharma, adult anchors |
| 4 | Check Anchors Report | Identify unnatural or keyword-stuffed anchors | Over-optimized anchors are a red flag |
| 5 | Inspect Links Manually | Click suspicious domains to verify quality | Look for PBNs, auto-generated content, thin sites |
| 6 | Select Bad Links | Tick domains or URLs you want to disavow | Prefer domain-level disavow over URL-level |
| 7 | Export Selected Links | Click Export → Selected | Export as CSV or TXT |
| 8 | Create Disavow File | Format as: domain:spamdomain.com |
Use UTF-8 encoding, one entry per line |
| 9 | Open Google Search Console | Go to Disavow Links Tool | Link: https://search.google.com/search-console/disavow-links |
| 10 | Upload Disavow File | Select your property & upload file | Replaces previous file—keep a backup |
| 11 | Monitor Impact | Track rankings & backlinks in Ahrefs | Changes may take weeks, not instant |
When You SHOULD Disavow
- Manual action warning from Google
- Clear spam, PBN, or paid links
- Massive toxic backlinks you didn’t build
When You SHOULD NOT Disavow
- Low-DR but natural links
- Legitimate blogs with no traffic
- Random scraper links (Google often ignores these)
Best Practices (SEO-Safe)
- Disavow only clearly harmful links
- Review backlinks quarterly, not daily
- Combine Ahrefs with Google Search Console data
- Keep old disavow entries unless links are fixed
Best Backlink Sources That Actually Work (With Prices & Reviews)
| Backlink Source | Type of Backlinks | Price Range (Typical) | Review / User Feedback | Country / Region Notes |
Editorial.Link |
High-authority guest posts | $375 – $600+ per link (premium placements) | Well-reviewed for quality & transparency; curated content with approval before publishing. | Premium option widely used in US/UK markets; price reflects authority. |
Adsy |
Marketplace for guest placements | Varies (publisher-set pricing; typically $50 – $400+) | Strong filters (DR, niche) and quality metrics; positive feedback for flexibility. | Global publishers (30+ countries) make it good for international campaigns. |
Collaborator |
Guest posts & contextual links | Starts low (publisher pricing; varies by site quality) | Good transparency; advanced filtering and real SEO metrics; generally positive reviews. | Works globally; pricing depends on site metrics and traffic. |
Authority Builders |
Verified link placements | ~$63 – $364 per link (avg ~$151) | Mid-range with strong vetting; includes anchor analysis; solid user reputation. | Became popular for mid-tier link building worldwide. |
INSERT.LINK |
Self-serve backlink marketplace | ~$10 – $500+ | Transparent listings with traffic & DR shown before purchase; practical for agencies and freelancers. | Flexible pricing makes it accessible in diverse markets. |
Rhino Rank |
Curated backlinks via outreach | ~$55+ per link | Affordable curated links; positive feedback for genuine outreach vs automated links. | Budget-friendly option for small businesses across regions. |
Fiverr Backlink Gigs |
Freelance link placements | ~$10 – $100+ (per link) | Mixed reviews — cheap options exist, but quality varies widely and spammy links are common. | Easy access globally; buyer needs to vet sellers carefully. |
Bulk Link Services (e.g., SEOeShop) |
Bulk backlink packs | ~$5/link (bulk low-quality) | Good for high volume but often low quality; careful review needed. | Very low cost in regions like Asia/LATAM but often poor for SEO impact. |
Guest Posting Services (expanded) |
Paid / sponsored guest posts | ~$120 – $1000+ depending on site DA | Mid-tier guest posts often perform well for rankings when placed on niche-relevant sites. | Costs can be higher in US/UK/Canada vs SEA/Eastern Europe. |
Digital PR & Premium Media Placements |
News outlets & high-authority domains | $1,000 – $2,500++ | Very strong for SEO and brand signals but highest cost; best for enterprise budgets. | Often pricier in Western markets; premium global news sites set region-based pricing. |
Quick Pricing Summary (By Link Quality)
| Quality Tier | Typical Cost Per Link | Best Use Case |
| Low-Tier | $5 – $50 | Bulk low-DA links (quantity) — caution required. |
| Mid-Tier | $50 – $300 | Guest posts on niche blogs with decent DR. |
| High-Tier | $300 – $1,000 | Established blogs & content sites with good authority. |
| Premium / PR | $1,000 – $2,500+ | Media outlets & major publications. |
General User Feedback & Considerations
- Quality matters more than quantity: Cheap backlinks often have little SEO impact and can even hurt rankings if coming from spammy sources.
- Invest for value: Backlinks from reputable sites with real traffic and high domain metrics are typically more effective — and cost more.
- DIY alternatives: Some SEO experts suggest organic link building (guest outreach, directory submissions, content marketing) is still safer and often more sustainable than purely buying links.
- Regional pricing effects: Backlink pricing is generally set in USD or EUR, so costs can feel higher in regions with weaker local currencies, but platforms like INSERT.LINK and authority marketplaces offer broader global coverage.
How to Analyze Your Competitor’s Backlinks (Worldwide Comparison)
| Tool / Method | What It Does | Key Backlink Insights | Price (Approx. by Country) | Reviews & User Feedback |
| Ahrefs | Industry-leading backlink analysis platform | Referring domains, anchor text, do-follow vs no-follow, lost & new links, link growth | US: $99–$399/mo UK/EU: £89–£349/mo India: ₹8,500–₹32,000/mo (same USD pricing, higher local cost perception) |
Very accurate data, trusted by SEO pros; expensive for small businesses |
| SEMrush | All-in-one SEO & competitive analysis tool | Backlink gap analysis, toxic links, competitor comparison | US: $129–$499/mo EU: €120–€450/mo India: ₹10,000–₹40,000/mo |
Strong competitor insights; slightly less backlink depth than Ahrefs |
| Moz Pro | SEO suite with simplified backlink metrics | Domain Authority, spam score, linking domains | US: $99–$299/mo EU: €90–€270/mo India: ₹8,000–₹25,000/mo |
Beginner-friendly; smaller backlink index |
| Ubersuggest (Neil Patel) | Budget-friendly SEO tool | Backlinks, referring domains, anchor text | US: $29–$99/mo EU: €29–€99/mo India: ₹1,200–₹4,000/mo |
Great value for money; data depth is moderate |
| Majestic SEO | Link-focused analysis tool | Trust Flow, Citation Flow, historical backlinks | US: $49–$399/mo EU: €45–€360/mo India: ₹4,000–₹30,000/mo |
Excellent for link quality analysis; UI feels dated |
| Google Search Operators (Manual) | Free competitor research method | Identifies guest posts, mentions, directories | Free (All Countries) | Useful for small research; time-consuming |
| Google Search Console (Your Site) | Analyze backlink patterns to replicate | Identifies which links help rankings | Free (All Countries) | Reliable but limited to your own domain |
Conclusion
Email outreach happens when you approach someone to ask for promoting your content and convincing them to publish it on their site. Going to an industry event and sponsoring it to get its organizer to give you a link from their site is yet another useful approach for quality backlinks. Try to identify the most relevant events impacting your reference niche.
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