15 Examples of Good Backlinks vs. Bad Backlinks You Must Know

Did you know that understanding the example of a good backlink can make a huge difference in your SEO results?

Backlinks are links from one website to another. Think of them as digital recommendations. When a trusted site links to your content, search engines see it as a sign that your site is valuable.

According to recent 2025 statistics, websites ranking on the first page of Google have an average of 3.8 times more backlinks than those on lower pages.

However, not all backlinks are created equal. Good backlinks come from high-quality, relevant sites and can boost your SEO.

On the other hand, bad backlinks from spammy or irrelevant sites can hurt your rankings and even lead to penalties from search engines. That’s why it’s important to know the difference.

In this blog, I’ll share 15 examples of both good and bad backlinks. You’ll also learn practical tips to build quality backlinks and avoid harmful ones.

What Are Backlinks?

Backlinks are links from one website to another. Imagine you’re reading an article online, and it includes a clickable link to another site. That’s a backlink.

These links act like votes of confidence for search engines, telling them that the content being linked to is useful and trustworthy.

The more quality backlinks your site has, the more likely it is to rank higher in search results. However, it’s not just about the quantity it’s the quality of those links that matters.

Good backlinks come from high-authority websites that are relevant to your niche. They enhance your site’s reputation and improve rankings.

For example, if you run a tech blog and receive a link from a well-known tech website, it’s a good backlink.

Bad backlinks, on the other hand, are links from low-quality or spammy websites. These can hurt your rankings and may even lead to penalties from search engines.

For example, a link from a gambling site to your health blog is irrelevant and can harm your SEO.

What Makes a Good Backlink?

Not all backlinks are created equal. Good backlinks have certain characteristics that make them valuable for improving your site’s SEO and building trust with search engines.

Let’s take a closer look at the key traits of a high-quality backlink:

1. High Domain Authority (DA)

A backlink from a website with high domain authority carries more weight than one from a low-authority site. Domain authority is a measure of a site’s credibility and influence.

For example, a link from a well-known site like Forbes will have a much greater impact than a link from a random, unknown blog.

2. Relevance to Your Website or Niche

The backlink source should be closely related to your industry or content. A relevant backlink tells search engines that the link is natural and adds value.

For instance, if you run a fitness blog, a backlink from a health magazine is far more effective than one from a cooking site.

3. Natural Placement Within High-Quality Content

Good backlinks are placed naturally within the content, where they make sense for the reader. If the link feels out of place or forced, search engines might view it as manipulative.

For example, a link to your website in an informative blog post about your niche is ideal.

4. Dofollow vs. Nofollow Backlinks (and When Each Matters)

Backlinks come in two types: dofollow and nofollow.

• Dofollow backlinks pass authority from the linking site to yours, directly helping your SEO.
• Nofollow backlinks don’t pass authority but can still drive traffic and increase visibility.

Both types are valuable, but dofollow links are generally more impactful for rankings.

5. Placement on Trusted and Established Websites

Links from reputable, well-known websites carry more value. Search engines trust these sites, so a backlink from them signals that your content is credible. Trusted sites also reduce the risk of spammy or harmful links in your profile.

What Makes a Bad Backlink?

While good backlinks can improve your rankings and credibility, bad backlinks can do the opposite. They can harm your SEO, lower your rankings, and even lead to penalties from search engines.

Here are the key traits of harmful backlinks you should avoid:

Links from Spammy or Low-Quality Websites

Backlinks from sites with poor domain authority or spammy content are a red flag for search engines. These links often come from untrustworthy sources, such as random directories or poorly maintained blogs, and they can damage your site’s reputation.

Links from Irrelevant or Unrelated Content

Relevance matters when it comes to backlinks. If a link to your site comes from content that has nothing to do with your niche, search engines may view it as unnatural.

For instance, a backlink from a pet grooming website to a finance blog doesn’t make sense and can harm your SEO profile.

Over-Optimized or Keyword-Stuffed Anchor Texts

When the anchor text (the clickable part of a link) is stuffed with keywords or feels overly optimized, it’s a red flag. Search engines might interpret this as an attempt to manipulate rankings, which could lead to penalties.

For example, using “best cheap SEO services online” repeatedly as an anchor text can do more harm than good.

Paid or Manipulated Backlinks

Buying backlinks or participating in link schemes is against Google’s guidelines. While it might seem like a quick way to boost your link profile, it’s risky. Search engines can detect paid or artificially generated links, which can result in penalties or even removal from search results.

Links from Private Blog Networks (PBNs)

Private blog networks are a collection of sites created solely to link to other sites and manipulate rankings. These links may seem valuable at first, but search engines are quick to identify PBNs. Being associated with such links can result in severe penalties.

15 Examples of Good Backlinks vs. Bad Backlinks

Good Backlink Examples

Good backlinks are the backbone of a strong SEO strategy. They come from reputable, high-quality websites and provide value to both search engines and readers.

Below, I’ll share examples of good backlinks and explain why they’re essential for your success.

1. Editorial Backlinks from Reputable, High-Authority Websites

These backlinks occur when a high-authority site naturally links to your content. For example, if a major publication like Forbes or TechCrunch cites your article as a source, that’s an editorial backlink. These are some of the most valuable links you can earn.

2. Guest Post Backlinks with Value-Driven Content

Guest posting on a reputable site allows you to add a backlink to your content naturally. When you write an insightful, high-quality guest post, readers are more likely to follow the link back to your website.

3. Backlinks from Niche-Specific Directories

These are backlinks from directories that are directly relevant to your industry. For instance, if you own a restaurant, being listed in a directory like Yelp or Zomato can drive traffic and boost your credibility.

4. Links from Educational (.edu) or Government (.gov) Websites

Backlinks from .edu or .gov sites are considered highly authoritative because of their trustworthiness. For example, if a university links to your website as a reference in a study, it’s a strong signal to search engines that your site is reliable.

5. Social Media Mentions Linking Back to Your Website

When people share your content on social media platforms and include a backlink to your site, it helps drive traffic and signals to search engines that your content is engaging and valuable.

6. Links from Industry Influencers or Bloggers in Your Niche

Backlinks from well-respected individuals in your field can greatly boost your site’s credibility. For example, a popular food blogger linking to your recipe can help you attract a larger audience.

7. Resource Page Backlinks from Authority Sites

Resource pages are curated lists of valuable links on a particular topic. Being included in a resource page from a reputable site signals that your content is a trusted source of information.

8. Backlinks from Well-Known News Websites or Online Publications

When your site is mentioned or linked to in a news story, it’s a strong indicator of your site’s value. For example, a feature in The New York Times or BBC linking to your site adds tremendous credibility.

9. Testimonial or Case Study Backlinks from Partnerships

Providing a testimonial or case study for a product or service you’ve used often results in a backlink. Companies love showcasing these on their websites, and it’s a win-win for both parties.

10. Links from Participating in Podcasts or Interviews

When you’re a guest on a podcast or in an interview, the host often links to your website in the episode notes or transcript. This not only boosts your visibility but also adds a quality backlink.

Bad Backlink Examples

Not all backlinks are beneficial. Bad backlinks, often from spammy or irrelevant sources, can harm your website’s reputation and rankings.

Below, I’ll highlight examples of bad backlinks and explain why they should be avoided.

11. Links from Spammy Blog Comments or Irrelevant Forums

These backlinks often come from poorly moderated forums or blog comment sections filled with unrelated links. For example, dropping a link to your fitness website on a random forum thread about cars will do more harm than good. Search engines view this as spammy and unnatural.

12. Paid Backlinks from Low-Quality, Unrelated Sites

Buying backlinks might seem like a shortcut, but it’s a risky move. Links from unrelated or low-quality sites that exist solely to sell backlinks can lead to penalties. For example, paying for a backlink from a website with no content or relevance to your niche signals manipulation to search engines.

13. Links from Websites with No Relevance to Your Niche

A backlink from an unrelated website doesn’t just lack value it can actively hurt your rankings. For instance, if a gardening blog links to a software company’s website, it signals to search engines that the link is unnatural and likely paid or manipulated.

14. Excessive Backlinks from a Single Domain (Link Stuffing)

Getting too many links from the same website can appear suspicious, even if the site itself is reputable. For example, if a single website links to your page dozens of times in an unnatural way, search engines may flag this as link stuffing, which is seen as spammy behavior.

15. Backlinks from Hacked or Penalized Websites

If a website linking to yours has been hacked or penalized by search engines, the association can negatively impact your rankings. For example, backlinks from a site flagged for malware or spam can make your site look untrustworthy in the eyes of search engines.

How to Audit Your Backlinks

Regularly auditing your backlinks is essential to maintain a healthy SEO profile. It helps you identify valuable links, spot harmful ones, and develop strategies to improve your site’s authority.

Here’s a straightforward guide to conducting a backlink audit:

Gather Your Backlink Data

Start by collecting all the backlinks pointing to your website. You can use tools like Semrush’s Backlink Audit Tool or Backlinko’s recommended tools to compile this data. These platforms provide comprehensive lists of your backlinks, including details about the linking domains and anchor texts.

Analyze the Quality of Each Backlink

Once you have your backlink list, assess each link’s quality. Focus on:

• Domain Authority: Links from high-authority sites are more valuable.
• Relevance: Ensure the linking site’s content relates to your niche.
• Anchor Text: Look for natural, varied anchor texts; avoid over-optimized keywords.

Identify Toxic or Harmful Backlinks

Spotting bad backlinks is crucial. Look for links from:

• Spammy or low-quality websites
• Unrelated or irrelevant content
• Over-optimized anchor texts
• Known link farms or private blog networks (PBNs)

Tools like Semrush can help flag toxic links that might harm your SEO.

Take Action on Harmful Backlinks

For any harmful backlinks you find:

• Contact Webmasters: Request removal of the link.
• Disavow Links: If removal isn’t possible, use Google’s Disavow Tool to inform search engines not to consider these links.

Monitor Your Backlink Profile Regularly

Backlink profiles change over time. Set up regular audits, perhaps quarterly, to keep track of new links and ensure they align with your SEO strategy.

How to Build Good Backlinks

Building high-quality backlinks is essential for improving your website’s search engine rankings and authority. Here are some effective strategies to acquire valuable backlinks:

Create Link-Worthy Content

Develop comprehensive, informative, and engaging content that others naturally want to link to. This includes in-depth guides, original research, infographics, and valuable resources that provide significant value to your audience. High-quality content serves as a foundation for many link-building strategies.

Utilize the Skyscraper Technique

Identify popular content within your niche and create an improved version that offers more value. Once your superior content is published, reach out to websites linking to the original piece and suggest they link to your enhanced version instead. This method leverages existing demand and encourages backlinks to your content.

Conduct Email Outreach

Reach out to website owners, bloggers, and influencers in your industry to inform them about your content. Personalized, respectful outreach can lead to backlinks, especially if your content aligns with their audience’s interests. Building genuine relationships through outreach is key to this strategy’s success.

Leverage Broken Link Building

Find broken links on other websites within your niche and offer your content as a replacement. This approach provides value to website owners by helping them fix broken links while earning you a backlink in return. Tools like Semrush can assist in identifying broken links for this purpose.

Submit to Niche-Specific Directories

List your website in reputable directories relevant to your industry. Ensure these directories are well-regarded and offer genuine value to users, as low-quality directories can harm your SEO efforts. Being featured in respected directories can enhance your site’s visibility and authority.

Engage in Guest Blogging

Write informative articles for reputable blogs within your niche. Guest blogging allows you to reach a broader audience and typically includes an opportunity to link back to your website. Focus on providing value and avoid overly promotional content to maintain credibility.

Turn Unlinked Brand Mentions into Backlinks

Monitor the web for mentions of your brand that don’t include a link to your site. Reach out to the content creators and kindly request that they add a backlink to your website. Since they’ve already mentioned your brand, they may be willing to link to you.

Conclusion

Backlinks are a cornerstone of a successful SEO strategy. Good backlinks from trusted and relevant sources can elevate your website’s authority, drive quality traffic, and improve search rankings. On the other side, bad backlinks from spammy or irrelevant sites can damage your reputation and even lead to penalties from search engines.

I hope this article has been helpful in understanding the difference between good and bad backlinks. If you apply the tips shared here, you’ll be well on your way to strengthening your website’s authority and improving your rankings.