What Is an Editorial Link?
Definition
An editorial link is a backlink that a publisher adds to their content naturally because the linked resource is genuinely valuable or worth citing, not because of a paid arrangement or link exchange.
Why editorial links are the gold standard
Google's algorithms are designed to reward links that reflect genuine editorial endorsement. When a journalist, blogger, or content creator links to your site because they found it useful, that's the strongest vote of confidence a link can carry.
Editorial links are difficult to manipulate at scale, which is precisely why search engines trust them more than other types of backlinks. They signal that real people in your industry consider your content authoritative — strengthening your E-E-A-T signals.
Editorial links vs. other link types
| Link type | How it's acquired | SEO value |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial link | Publisher links to you because your content is valuable | Highest, genuine endorsement signal |
| Guest post link | You write content for another site and include a link | Moderate, depends on the site quality |
| Directory link | You submit your site to a directory listing | Low, easy to get, minimal editorial judgment |
| Comment/forum link | You place the link yourself in a comment or forum post | Very low, usually nofollow, often spammy |
| Sponsored post link | You pay a site to publish content with your link | Must be marked as sponsored; risk of penalty if not disclosed |
A tech blog reviews several project management tools and links to yours as a top recommendation. What type of link is this?
Correct! The blogger chose to link to your tool based on its merit. That's an editorial link, the most valuable kind.
This is an editorial link. The publisher independently decided your tool was worth recommending and linked to it based on genuine editorial judgment.
How to earn editorial links
- Create linkable assets. Original research, in-depth guides, free tools, and unique data sets naturally attract editorial links because they're useful to reference. Our digital PR examples showcase real campaigns that earned editorial coverage this way.
- Build relationships with writers. Connect with journalists and bloggers in your niche through digital PR, outreach, and platforms like HARO alternatives. Outreach CRMs like BuzzStream help track these relationships over time.
- Be a source. Offer expert commentary on industry trends. When journalists quote you, they link to your site. A well-crafted media pitch can get you quoted in relevant publications.
- Earn brand mentions. Unlinked mentions can be converted into editorial links by reaching out and asking for a link.
- Make your content easy to cite. Include clear data points, quotable insights, and embeddable visuals that writers want to reference.
Which strategy is most likely to earn editorial links at scale?
Right! Original research and unique data are among the best linkable assets. Writers naturally cite sources that add credibility to their own content.
Original research earns editorial links because writers cite it as a source. Buying links violates Google's guidelines, and directory submissions don't produce editorial-quality links.
Earn editorial mentions on autopilot
MentionAgent gets your product mentioned naturally in relevant blog posts, the kind of editorial links Google values most.
Start Getting Mentioned For $99/moFrequently asked questions
How can I tell if a link is editorial?
An editorial link is placed within the main content of a page because the author genuinely chose to reference your resource. It's contextual, relevant, and not marked as sponsored. If you didn't pay for it, exchange for it, or place it yourself, and it sits naturally within editorial content, it's an editorial link.
Are editorial links always dofollow?
Not always. Some publications apply nofollow attributes to all external links as a blanket policy. However, editorial links are typically dofollow because the publisher is intentionally citing your content as a valuable resource.
How do I earn editorial links?
Create genuinely useful content that others want to reference: original research, in-depth guides, unique data, or free tools. Promote your content through outreach, social media, and digital PR so that writers and journalists find it. The key is creating something worth linking to.
Why are editorial links more valuable than other backlinks?
Editorial links carry more weight because they represent a genuine endorsement. Google's algorithms are designed to reward links that are editorially placed based on merit. These links are harder to manipulate, which is exactly why Google trusts them more as ranking signals.