What backlink types are still working for you in 2026?

[Anton_Ingachev]

With Google getting stricter, I’m trying to focus more on links that actually bring traffic + relevance instead of just DR.
Have you seen better results from:

• forum links
  
• niche edits
  
• guest posts
  
• directories
  
• or something else?
  

Would love to hear what’s working for you recently.

[Solo Launches]

Yes, I did directory submissions and saw very good results from posting in high DR directories

[sophietcl]

It's certainly getting harder, but we still get good results from guest posts from legit websites and directories. One of the biggest recent wins has come from launching a podcast with links in the descriptions. That's my top tip that you might not have tried yet!

[LeoNatriy]

I still see solid results from niche edits on real sites and contributor posts where I already have a relationship. Even small community mentions seem to help if the context is legit. I’ve also been testing AI visibility work through https://lavio.ai/, and funny enough, some of those optimizations end up boosting the kinds of links that AI answers pick up and repeat, which feeds into referral traffic in a nice, roundabout way.

[paulnewport85]

Yes, some directories are still works perfect.

[nzseoagency]

Directories as well as reddit mentions are working well. Even profile submissions are working well.

[wootro]

For our website is working awesome guest posts

[rithinpv]

Here are the types of backlinks that are still working for me in 2026:
1. Niche-Relevant Editorial Links – Editorial links within content on websites that are relevant to your industry are still the most powerful.
2. Digital PR Links – Getting coverage in news stories, industry magazines and expert roundups helps both rankings and brand visibility.
3. Resource Page Links If your content really does solve a problem, resource pages and curated lists can be a great way to build authority.
4. Guest Posts on Relevant Sites – Not the spammy guest posting, but quality contributions on real sites with real audiences.
5.Community & Forum Mentions – When the link adds value to the conversation, forums, Reddit discussions and niche communities can be great ways to drive targeted traffic.
6. Linkable Assets – Over time, original research, industry stats, calculators, templates and case studies will naturally attract backlinks.
One thing that’s been working especially well is creating helpful content that addresses common questions in the industry, and sharing it in relevant conversations. For example, I recently posted a guide on 7 Signs Your Business need a Performance Marketer where I share actionable strategies and real-life examples: https://yourwebsite.com. It’s been a good resource when people have asked similar questions and has picked up some organic backlinks along the way.
The biggest shift in 2026 is that relevance and traffic matter far more than sheer backlink volume. In most cases, a handful of links from trusted, niche relevant sites will out-perform hundreds of low-quality directory or automated links.