How effective are backlinks from testimonials or case studies?

Backlinks from testimonials or case studies can provide some SEO value, but their effectiveness is often limited compared to other types of backlinks. Let me explain a bit further:

A lot depends on the authority and relevance of the specific website hosting that testimonial or case study page. A link from a high-authority site in your industry niche will naturally carry more weight than one from an unrelated, low-quality site.

The context of where that backlink is placed also plays a role. Links embedded within the main content body near the top are usually seen as more valuable than ones buried in footers or sidebars.

You'll also want to look at link attributes - backlinks with descriptive anchor text that are dofollow rather than nofollow, that tend to get prioritized for SEO value.

While the backlink itself is beneficial, search engines also evaluate the quality of the surrounding content. A well-written, informative testimonial or case study reinforces the value of any links within it.

There's also a difference between backlinks from genuine, uninvited testimonials versus paid/sponsored placements. The natural, editorial links are typically viewed more positively.

So those are some of the key factors that determine how much SEO juice you actually get from any given testimonial or case study backlink. But in general, you don't want to rely too heavily on just this type of link in your overall strategy.

A diverse backlink portfolio with links earned from authoritative, relevant sources through quality content creation and strategic outreach is going to be much more effective for improving your search rankings.

Search engines are always getting better at identifying any manipulative or low-quality link-building tactics. So prioritizing those white-hat, user-focused practices aligned with their guidelines is crucial.