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4 examples of Backlink metrics and KPIs

What are Backlink metrics?

Finding the right Backlink metrics can be daunting, especially when you're busy working on your day-to-day tasks. This is why we've curated a list of examples for your inspiration.

You can copy these examples into your preferred app, or alternatively, use Tability to stay accountable.

Find Backlink metrics with AI

While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. You can use our free AI metrics generator below to generate your own strategies.

Examples of Backlink metrics and KPIs

Metrics for Get More Backlinks

  • 1. Domain Authority (DA)

    Measures the overall strength and reputation of a website on a scale from 1 to 100

    What good looks like for this metric: Typical websites have a DA between 20-70

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Create high-quality, linkable content
    • Reach out to high-DA sites for backlinks
    • Conduct a competitor analysis for backlink opportunities
    • Utilise social media to promote your content
    • Improve on-page SEO elements
  • 2. Referring Domains

    Counts the number of unique domains linking to your site

    What good looks like for this metric: Aim for an increasing number over time

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Write guest posts on relevant websites
    • Participate in industry forums and communities
    • Engage in influencer outreach
    • Create shareable infographics
    • Offer free tools or resources on your website
  • 3. Backlink Growth Rate

    Tracks the speed at which new backlinks are acquired

    What good looks like for this metric: Strive for a consistent positive growth

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Start an email outreach campaign
    • Regularly update and repurpose old content
    • Collaborate with other content creators
    • Publish original research or case studies
    • Monitor backlink profiles for broken links to restore
  • 4. Backlink Quality

    Assesses the quality of individual backlinks, considering factors like DA, relevance, and spam score

    What good looks like for this metric: High-quality backlinks should come from websites with DA above 50

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Disavow low-quality or spammy backlinks
    • Focus on backlinks from sites relevant to your niche
    • Leverage public relations to gain high-quality links
    • Create content targeting high-authority sites
    • Build relationships with industry leaders
  • 5. Anchor Text Distribution

    Evaluates the variety and relevance of anchor text used in backlinks

    What good looks like for this metric: Aim for a natural and diverse anchor text profile

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Encourage the use of branded anchor texts
    • Avoid over-optimised anchor text
    • Monitor and adjust anchor text for diversity
    • Ensure contextual relevance of anchor text
    • Include URL and generic anchor texts

Metrics for Effective linkbuilding strategies

  • 1. Domain Authority (DA)

    A measure of the overall quality and authority of a website, calculated by several factors including the number and quality of incoming links

    What good looks like for this metric: Typical values range from 0 to 100, with 50+ considered good for established websites

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Obtain backlinks from high-authority sites
    • Create high-quality, shareable content
    • Regularly audit and disavow low-quality links
    • Engage in guest blogging on authoritative sites
    • Participate in relevant online communities and forums
  • 2. Number of Referring Domains

    The number of unique domains that link to your website, indicating popularity and reach

    What good looks like for this metric: More than 100 referring domains considered healthy for growing websites

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Identify and reach out to industry influencers
    • Run link-building campaigns
    • Offer exclusive content to potential linkers
    • Collaborate with other websites for mutual linking
    • Use link-building tools to find opportunities
  • 3. Linking Root Domains

    Count of distinct root domains that link to your site, reflecting diversity in linking sources

    What good looks like for this metric: Having diverse linking root domains strengthens authority

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Diversify content to attract various industries
    • Engage in PR campaigns for broader coverage
    • Create evergreen content to attract ongoing links
    • Analyze competitors' backlinks for new opportunities
    • Host or sponsor industry events to gain mentions
  • 4. Backlink Growth Rate

    The pace at which new backlinks are acquired over time, indicating link-building success

    What good looks like for this metric: Consistent monthly growth rate of 5-10% is healthy

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Publish new content regularly
    • Repurpose old content in new formats
    • Maintain relationships with website owners
    • Monitor backlinks and capitalize on trends
    • Utilize social media to drive traffic and engagement
  • 5. Anchor Text Distribution

    The types and variety of anchor texts used in backlinks, affecting relevance and SEO

    What good looks like for this metric: Balanced distribution between branded, generic, and exact match anchor texts

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Craft varied and relevant anchor texts
    • Encourage natural linking practices
    • Avoid overly optimized anchor texts
    • Monitor and adjust anchor text ratios
    • Educate content creators on best practices

Metrics for Cost-Effective SEO Linkbuilding

  • 1. Cost Per Link

    The average amount spent to acquire a single backlink. Calculated by dividing total linkbuilding costs by the number of acquired links.

    What good looks like for this metric: Between $100 and $500 USD

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Negotiate better rates with linkbuilding providers
    • Utilise content marketing to attract natural links
    • Focus on building relationships with niche influencers
    • Leverage guest posting opportunities
    • Optimise internal resources for linkbuilding efforts
  • 2. Domain Authority of Acquired Links

    The average domain authority (DA) of the websites providing backlinks. Higher DA indicates better quality links.

    What good looks like for this metric: DA 40+

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Target websites with high domain authority
    • Ensure content is highly relevant and valuable
    • Use tools like Moz or Ahrefs to check DA before outreach
    • Develop partnerships with authoritative sites
    • Create shareable and informative content
  • 3. Link Relevancy

    The relevance of the acquired backlinks to your website's niche. Measured by analysing the thematic similarities between the linking site and your own.

    What good looks like for this metric: 80%+ relevancy

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Identify niche-specific websites for linkbuilding
    • Create content that aligns with your target niche
    • Use outreach messages relevant to specific niches
    • Collaborate with niche influencers
    • Conduct detailed competitor backlink analysis
  • 4. Referral Traffic

    The quantity of traffic directed to your site from backlinks. Measured in terms of sessions or visits originating from referring sites.

    What good looks like for this metric: 10% of total traffic

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Focus on high-traffic websites for backlinks
    • Ensure backlinks are placed in high-visibility areas
    • Track and analyse referral traffic patterns
    • Optimise landing pages to convert referral traffic
    • Promote content on social media
  • 5. SERP Ranking Improvement

    The impact of linkbuilding on your site's search engine results page (SERP) rankings. Measured by the change in position of target keywords.

    What good looks like for this metric: 5+ position improvement

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks
    • Regularly update and optimise content
    • Use keywords strategically in anchor texts
    • Conduct periodic SERP analysis
    • Disavow low-quality or spammy backlinks

Metrics for Linkbuilding Performance

  • 1. Number of Backlinks

    The total number of backlinks pointing to your website

    What good looks like for this metric: Varies widely by industry; typically 50-200 backlinks for small to mid-sized sites

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Create high-quality, shareable content
    • Reach out to industry influencers
    • Guest post on relevant blogs
    • Use broken link building strategies
    • Engage in PR activities
  • 2. Domain Authority (DA)

    A search engine ranking score that predicts how well a website will rank on SERPs

    What good looks like for this metric: Typically above 40 for competitive industries

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Improve your website’s SEO
    • Acquire high-quality backlinks
    • Remove toxic backlinks
    • Regularly update your content
    • Optimise for on-page SEO
  • 3. Referral Traffic

    The amount of traffic your website receives from external sources

    What good looks like for this metric: 15-30% of total traffic

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Build relationships with authoritative sites
    • Promote content on social media
    • Engage in online communities and forums
    • Publish content on third-party platforms
    • Use analytics to track and optimise sources
  • 4. Anchor Text Distribution

    The diversity and relevance of anchor text used in backlinks pointing to your website

    What good looks like for this metric: Balanced ratio between branded, exact-match, and generic anchors

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Use natural and varied anchor texts
    • Avoid over-optimisation of anchor texts
    • Monitor and adjust anchor text ratios
    • Analyse competitors' anchor text profiles
    • Create guidelines for anchor text usage
  • 5. Linking Root Domains

    The number of unique domains that link back to your website

    What good looks like for this metric: More than 100 for medium to large sites

    Ideas to improve this metric
    • Target diverse websites for backlinks
    • Engage in collaborations with different domains
    • Regularly audit backlink profiles
    • Build micro-sites for link building
    • Participate in industry events and networks

Tracking your Backlink metrics

Having a plan is one thing, sticking to it is another.

Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to keep your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.

A tool like Tability can also help you by combining AI and goal-setting to keep you on track.

Tability Insights DashboardTability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparency

More metrics recently published

We have more examples to help you below.

Planning resources

OKRs are a great way to translate strategies into measurable goals. Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the OKR framework:

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