If you’re asking how many types of link building in SEO are worth using right now, there’s a short list that continues to drive rankings. Not every method still works, and some have more weight than others. What matters is using the right mix based on your site, your content, and the authority you’re trying to build.
Here are the most effective types of link building in SEO that still deliver real results.
Editorial Backlinks
Editorial backlinks are naturally earned mentions from other websites. These usually appear in articles, blogs, or guides that reference your content as a useful source. They aren’t requested or placed through outreach, which makes them hard to control, but highly valuable.
These links typically come from high-authority domains and carry strong trust signals. When asking how many types of link building in SEO actually move the needle, editorial links are near the top.
Guest Posts
Guest posting involves writing content for another website and including a backlink to your own. It’s one of the most common and accepted strategies. Publishing on relevant, high-quality websites is crucial.
When done properly, guest posts provide contextual links that blend naturally with the topic. This is still one of the best answers to how many types of link building in SEO are scalable without being spammy.
Resource Page Link Building
Many sites have dedicated pages that link out to useful tools, articles, or references. These are resource pages. The goal here is to find relevant resource pages in your niche, then pitch your content as something worth adding.
Because the page already exists to share links, there’s less friction in the request. If your content matches the theme of the page, this process can be a reliable way to build links at scale.
Broken Link Building
This method involves finding broken or outdated links on someone else’s site, then suggesting your content as a replacement. It requires research, but it works well when paired with high-quality replacement content.
By helping the site owner fix a dead link, you’re providing value while earning a backlink in return. That’s why broken link building continues to be part of the list when reviewing how many types of link building in SEO are worth pursuing.
HARO and Journalist Platforms
Platforms like Help a B2B Writer and Featured.com connect writers and journalists with expert sources. You respond to a request with a short quote or insight. If they like your answer, they include it in their article and link back to your site.
These links often come from major publishers, blogs, or SaaS platforms. You can’t control every outcome, but the opportunities are consistent. If you’re targeting authority links, this is one of the top strategies to consider.
Link Insertions (Niche Edits)
Niche edits involve inserting your link into an existing article on another site. This is different from guest posting, because you’re not writing a new piece. Instead, your link is added where it makes sense within content that already ranks.
This strategy works best when the content is still relevant and gets traffic. Done right, it’s an efficient way to gain contextual links from aged URLs with proven authority.
Directory Listings and Local Citations
These types of links are especially helpful for local SEO. You submit your business to directories that include your name, address, phone number, and a website link. While they don’t carry the same weight as editorial links, they help with consistency and local trust.
If you’re managing local SEO campaigns, these links still play a role. When asking how many types of link building in SEO matter at the local level, citations are still part of the strategy.
Branded Mentions Without Links
HubSpot also touched on this one. Sometimes your brand is mentioned without a link. These are known as unlinked mentions. Reaching out to the site and asking them to link your brand name to your homepage or relevant content can convert these mentions into backlinks.
These opportunities are easier to land because the site already acknowledged you. A simple, polite request often results in a link being added.
Feeler Outreach for Links
Rather than asking for a link in the first message, you send a feeler email. This approach checks whether the recipient is open to seeing your content. If they reply, then you pitch the link opportunity.
Feeler emails often perform better than direct asks. This method increases reply rates and can lead to more placements with less resistance.
There’s no fixed number when asking how many types of link building in SEO are available. The real answer lies in which ones still get results without risking penalties. Semrush has a great piece on the value of different types of backlinks. Focus on editorial mentions, guest content, high-authority placements, and link opportunities that come from value and not automation. These are the types worth your time.
Will is an SEO specialist with 10+ years of experience in link building, content marketing, and digital growth. He’s led strategies for agencies, startups, and SaaS brands.