A link included because an editor or publisher considers the destination genuinely useful, educational, or relevant.
An editorial link is a reference chosen by a publisher because the destination helps explain or substantiate the surrounding content. The useful question is why the link belongs in that particular article. A relevant source, a clear explanation or supporting evidence gives the reader a reason to follow it.
The word editorial describes the decision behind the reference, not a special HTML attribute. It does not establish that a link is followed, permanent or valuable for rankings. A publication can apply its own linking policies, and an editor may later revise or remove a reference.
A paid placement should not be presented as an independently earned endorsement. When money, products or other compensation are part of a link arrangement, assess the commercial relationship and qualify the link appropriately. Buying a spot inside an article does not make the link editorial merely because it appears in prose.
Takeaway: Offer a useful, verifiable resource that fits the publication’s readers. Judge coverage by its relevance and accuracy rather than treating an editorial link as a guaranteed ranking improvement.
Example
A trade writer explains how to compare insulation materials and links to a manufacturer’s clearly documented test method. The reference helps readers inspect the evidence. A separate paid advertisement for that manufacturer has a different relationship, even if it appears on the same website.
What to check
Read the surrounding article before requesting a reference. Suggest the exact resource that supports the discussion, leave wording and placement to the publisher, and avoid demanding a particular keyword as anchor text.
For more detail, see Google Search spam policies.