One of the pivotal components of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves securing external links to your website. Referring domains and backlinks play a crucial role in determining link quality and, consequently, your website’s performance.Confusion often arises among marketers regarding the distinction between referring domains and backlinks. Referring domains are sites that link back to your site, while backlinks are the hyperlinks pointing from other websites to yours.Which is more significant, referring domains or backlinks? This article delves into the nuances of both and offers strategies to enhance them. For expert advice, contact us at 888-601-5359 to explore how we can help you secure high-quality backlinks and referring domains.While referring domains and backlinks are interconnected, they are distinct entities. Understanding both is essential for refining your SEO strategies.Let’s explore the fundamentals of referring domains and backlinks.A referring domain is a site that establishes a link back to your page or website. The term “referring” signifies the relationship between the two websites.For instance, if Target.com links to your website three times, Target.com becomes a referring domain for your site.Domain authority is a critical factor in identifying quality referring domains. This metric is a score out of 100 that gauges the domain’s credibility. Google assesses domain authority based on several criteria:
SEO performance
Number and quality of backlinks
Content quality
Social signals and traffic
A high number of referring domains from websites with high domain authority can enhance SEO by signaling to other websites and Google that your site is valuable and trustworthy. A backlink from a high-domain-authority site reinforces this perception, further bolstering SEO efforts.A backlink is a hyperlink from another site directing users to your site. The referring domain can link to various elements on your site, such as services, blog posts, or social media content. These links can be embedded within text, images, videos, and more.A backlink is beneficial if it:
Originates from an authoritative source
Directs users to your website
Points to a critical service or page
Backlinks are the links themselves, whereas referring domains explain the source of those links.It’s possible to have multiple backlinks from the same referring domain. For example, if another website links to yours five times, you have five backlinks and one referring domain.Additionally, you can link to other pages within your site, which are known as internal links, rather than backlinks.Understanding backlinks and referring domains is essential for optimizing your SEO efforts and focusing on the right metrics. Merely increasing backlinks is insufficient; securing multiple backlinks from diverse referring domains is optimal.With authoritative referring domains and a robust backlink profile, you can enjoy the following SEO benefits:
Increased traffic:Backlinks allow your site to be discovered in various locations beyond search results, driving more traffic and potential conversions.
Improved credibility:When multiple authoritative sites link to your content, users and Google recognize your site as a credible source of information, increasing the likelihood of your site being referenced in search queries.
Higher rankings:Ultimately, backlinks from reputable domains can elevate your site’s position in search engine results pages (SERPs), as Google acknowledges the quality of your connections with other sites.
Online tools make it straightforward to assess your referring domains. Ahrefs is a leading tool for this purpose, offering a $7 week-long trial and various subscription plans.Within the Ahrefs Site Explorer, enter your URL, access the “Referring domains” report to view a comprehensive list of sites linking to your site or page, along with details on domain rating, traffic, and link counts.Use the toolbar to filter your results and hover over any term for a definition:For checking backlinks, consider the following tools:
Ahrefs:Access the “Backlinks” report instead of “Referring domains” to see the backlinks to your page, with domain and URL ratings still visible.
Moz Link Explorer:This tool helps identify link-building opportunities and rectify broken links, offering free tools and a monthly subscription for additional features.
SEMRush Backlink Analytics:SEMRush provides a free tool to check backlinks and analyze competitor data, enabling a detailed analysis of single URLs or entire pages and determining each link’s quality and type.
Google is adept at identifying and disregarding spammy links. However, if you have paid for spammy backlinks, you can use Google’s Disavow Tool to remove them. It’s crucial to use this tool correctly, as misusing it can harm your SEO and backlink profile. Google advises using the Disavow Tool only if you have a Google penalty or have experienced a surge in paid spammy links.Backlinks, while not the sole SEO factor, are a proven method to enhance your site’s credibility. Encourage other businesses to link to your site naturally, avoiding the purchase of backlinks from numerous sites, as this can negatively impact your SEO in the long term.Here are three strategies to earn backlinks and improve your SEO ranking:
Create informative content:Establish your authority by creating and regularly posting to a company blog.
Link to other sites:Link to reputable sites in your content, fostering a relationship that may lead to reciprocal linking.
Design infographics:Develop shareable infographics on industry topics, encouraging others to link back to you as the source.
For a comprehensive overview of what we’ve discussed, here are some frequently asked questions:No. Referring domains are websites that link to your site, while backlinks are the hyperlinks on those sites that direct to your page.A referring domain is a site that links to your site, demonstrating to Google that your website is trustworthy and boosting your SEO.Securing links from reputable referring domains can enhance SEO and demonstrate to users and other sites that your website is credible.Referring domains are websites, while inbound links are the hyperlinks on a page that lead to your page.Partner with WebFX to enhance your online presence and drive growth. Over the past five years, we’ve generated $10 billion in revenue for our clients, with a team of 500 marketing experts ready to answer your questions and provide tailored digital marketing services.Explore our case studies to see our results and contact us online for any inquiries!
