THETOPOZICEV

Confusion usually comes from mixing two classification systems at once. The different types of backlinks can be grouped by acquisition method — earned, contributed, submitted, or self-created — or by technical attribute, meaning dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, or UGC. The first grouping predicts value; the second predicts whether authority passes at all. Useful analysis needs both, since a nofollow link from a publication with real traffic can outperform a dofollow one from a site with none.