Definition
Forum backlinks are links acquired through participation in online discussion forums. They can be placed in posts (discussion replies), profile signatures, or the 'website' section of user profiles. Historically widely used in SEO, most forums now add the nofollow or ugc attribute to links. Nevertheless, forum links remain useful for link profile diversification, referral traffic, and brand awareness. The ethical approach is to genuinely participate in discussions by adding value, with relevant and non-intrusive links. Forum spam is easily detected and counterproductive.
Key Points
- Most forums use nofollow or ugc attributes on links
- Primary value is profile diversification and referral traffic
- Genuine, relevant participation is the only viable approach
Practical Examples
Relevant participation
On an SEO forum, an expert provides a detailed answer to a link building question and mentions a comprehensive guide on their site with a link. The answer adds value and the link is relevant.
Forum spam
A user posts generic replies across hundreds of forums with a link in their signature. This approach is counterproductive: links are nofollow, and the account is often banned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Their direct ranking impact is low since most are nofollow. However, they contribute to link profile diversity, generate referral traffic, and build brand awareness. They should not be the foundation of a link strategy.
Prioritize active, relevant forums in your niche with an engaged community and quality moderation. Specialized forums in your industry will provide more value than generalist ones.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07