Editorial link

An editorial link is a natural backlink that is earned when another website references or cites content voluntarily because it provides value, credibility, or relevance to their audience. Unlike paid or manipulated links, editorial links are given organically within articles, blog posts, or news stories based on merit.
These links signal to search engines that the referenced content is trustworthy and authoritative, which can improve rankings and online visibility. Editorial links are one of the most valuable forms of backlinks in SEO because they reflect genuine recognition rather than artificial promotion.
Advanced
Editorial links are typically acquired through high-quality content creation, thought leadership, and public relations strategies. Examples include citations in reputable publications, mentions in industry blogs, or references from academic sources.
Advanced link-building practices focus on earning editorial links by publishing research studies, original data, expert insights, or newsworthy stories. Search algorithms prioritize these links because they demonstrate editorial judgment rather than link exchanges or automation. Businesses often use content marketing, digital PR, and influencer outreach to increase opportunities for earning editorial links.
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Example
A cybersecurity firm published an in-depth research report on data breaches that was later cited by a major news outlet. The editorial link from that publication boosted the firm’s domain authority, increased referral traffic, and positioned the company as an industry thought leader.