What is a backlink? Learn how backlinks work in SEO, the main link types, quality signals, examples and common questions.
A backlink is a link from one website to another. In SEO, backlinks matter because they can help search engines discover pages, understand relationships between sources and evaluate how widely a page is referenced across the web.
What is a backlink in SEO?
A backlink is created when a page on one domain links to a page on another domain. For example, if a business publication quotes an expert and links to the expert’s company website, that company has received a backlink from the publication.
Backlinks are different from internal links, which connect pages on the same website. Both matter for navigation and discovery, but backlinks come from an external source and therefore introduce an independent publisher into the relationship.
How backlinks can help SEO
Backlinks can support SEO in several ways. They can help search engines discover a page, provide contextual information about the page being referenced, send referral traffic and show that independent websites consider a resource useful enough to cite.
That does not mean every backlink improves rankings. A low-quality or irrelevant link can be worthless, and manipulative link schemes can create risk. The practical goal is not to collect the largest number of links; it is to earn or secure references that make sense to readers and publishers.
Main types of backlinks
| Backlink type | How it is created | Typical value | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Editorial backlink | A publisher cites a company, expert, resource or data point | High when the citation is relevant and natural | Low if genuinely editorial |
| Digital PR link | Coverage earned through stories, data or expert commentary | Can combine brand visibility with links | Poor story fit or weak evidence |
| Guest post link | A contributed article includes a relevant citation | Varies by publisher quality and disclosure | Overly commercial placements |
| Niche edit | A link is added to an existing article | Can be useful when the update improves the page | Paid-link networks and unnatural insertions |
| Resource-page link | A useful tool or guide is added to a curated resource list | Strong when the resource genuinely fills a gap | Low-quality directories presented as resources |
For a deeper classification, see our types of backlinks guide.
What makes a backlink high quality?
- Topical relevance: the publisher and article have a credible connection to the destination page.
- Editorial reason: the link helps the reader verify a claim, learn more or access a useful resource.
- Publisher legitimacy: the site publishes original material for a real audience rather than existing mainly to sell links.
- Natural placement: the link fits the surrounding text instead of being forced into unrelated content.
- Useful destination: the page being linked to satisfies the reason someone would click.
Backlink examples
Expert citation
A journalist writing about home buying quotes a real estate professional and links to the expert’s company profile. The backlink exists because the expert contributed useful information.
Original research
A software company publishes a transparent benchmark study. Industry publications reference the data and link to the methodology page so readers can inspect the source.
Useful resource
A marketing guide links to a free calculator because the tool helps readers complete the task described in the article.
Should you target backlinks by country?
Country relevance can matter when your business primarily serves specific markets. For campaigns focused on the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, prioritize publications and audiences that are genuinely relevant to those markets. Do not manufacture fake offices, thin location pages or artificial local signals.
A strong link from a globally respected publication can still be useful. The objective is audience and topical fit, not blocking visitors from other countries.
Frequently asked questions
What is a backlink in simple terms?
A backlink is a clickable link from another website to your website.
Are backlinks still important for SEO?
They remain one useful signal among many, but relevance, content quality, technical SEO and search intent also matter.
How many backlinks do I need?
There is no fixed number. Compare the pages ranking for your target query, assess the quality of their referring domains and focus on closing realistic gaps. See our backlink quantity guide.
Are all backlinks good?
No. Irrelevant, manipulative or low-quality links can have little value and may create risk.
What is the difference between a backlink and an internal link?
A backlink comes from another website. An internal link connects two pages on the same website.
Next: explore our link building services, backlink profile guide and link building pricing guide.
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