Link building is still a huge part of any solid SEO game plan. But let’s be real—just grabbing backlinks for the sake of it? Not the move. Not all links are worth the same, and if you’re not tracking the right stuff, you’re basically flying blind. If you actually want your links to do something—like improve rankings, drive traffic, or build credibility—you’ve gotta know which metrics matter and why.
That’s what we’re diving into here. We’re breaking down the key link building metrics that actually tell you if your strategy is working. This isn’t about chasing shiny numbers or obsessing over Domain Authority just because everyone else is. It’s about focusing on the stuff that actually makes a difference. We’ll also sprinkle in some of the ways people collect this kind of data—like data scraping, data extraction software, or even the occasional ai web scraping tool free (yeah, those exist). So whether you’re deep into SEO or just trying to get your feet wet, this should help you make smarter moves.
Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR)
Alright, so let’s start with the classics. When you’re scoping out a site for backlinks monitor, two numbers come up a lot: Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR). DA is from Moz, DR is from Ahrefs. Both are trying to tell you the same basic thing—how strong or trustworthy a site is, based on the quality and quantity of links pointing to it. Higher scores usually mean more influence, and in theory, a link from that site should help your SEO more.
But here’s the catch: these numbers aren’t from Google. They’re third-party guesses based on their own data, so take them with a grain of salt. They’re helpful, yeah, but they’re not gospel. It’s like checking someone’s credit score to decide if you trust them—it tells you something, but not everything. Don’t make the mistake of only going after high DA or DR sites without checking what they actually publish. A lower-DA site in your niche might be more valuable than a random giant blog that has nothing to do with your topic. Context still matters.
Relevance of the Linking Domain
Relevance is arguably more important than raw authority. Google’s algorithm has evolved a lot, and it’s now much better at understanding context. If you run a fitness blog, getting a backlink from a health website—even if it has a lower DA—is more valuable than a random link from a tech site. Relevance signals to Google that your content is part of a tightly connected topic network, which improves trustworthiness.
You can assess relevance in a few ways: the content of the linking page, the overall theme of the domain, and the specific anchor text used. Tools like Semrush or Ahrefs can show you a domain’s topical focus. Don’t just accept any link offer that comes your way. Ask yourself: does this site make sense linking to mine? If the answer’s no, it probably won’t help your rankings much, if at all.
Traffic of the Linking Page
Some people obsess over DR and DA but forget to check if the linking page gets any traffic. That’s a big oversight. A backlink from a page that ranks for real keywords and has organic visitors can drive actual referral traffic to your site—not just help your SEO. These links are the holy grail because they do double duty.
You can use Ahrefs, Semrush, or even SimilarWeb to estimate traffic to a page. Look at the number of referring keywords, monthly visits, and the quality of the content itself. If the page looks thin or spammy, chances are it’s not getting any love from Google. On the flip side, a niche blog post that ranks on page one for relevant terms can send you a steady stream of traffic over time. These are the kinds of pages worth going after.
Anchor Text Distribution
Anchor text is the clickable part of a link, and it still plays a role in how Google understands the context of your backlinks. But it’s a delicate balance. Over-optimizing with exact-match keywords can trigger penalties. At the same time, relying too much on generic anchors like “click here” wastes an opportunity to add context.
The trick is to aim for a natural mix. Include branded, partial match, exact match, and generic anchors. Analyze your backlink profile with tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to see your current distribution. If you see too many exact matches, it’s time to dial it back. Focus on earning links where the anchor text flows naturally with the surrounding content. That’s what real people do, and that’s what Google likes to see.
Follow vs. Nofollow Ratio
Not all links are created equal in Google’s eyes. “Dofollow” links pass SEO value, while “nofollow” links don’t (technically). But even nofollow links have their place—they can drive traffic, build brand awareness, and even help with rankings in indirect ways. A natural backlink profile usually has a mix of both.
If your site has 100% dofollow links, that can look suspicious. Google expects to see some nofollow links in the mix. Think of links from social media, forums, or blog comments. They usually default to nofollow but can still be valuable. The goal isn’t to chase one type over the other. It’s to build a natural-looking profile that doesn’t raise red flags.
Link Placement and Context
Where a link appears on the page matters—a lot. A contextual backlink that appears within the main body of content is way more valuable than one stuffed in the footer or sidebar. Google understands page structure, and it gives more weight to links surrounded by meaningful text.
You want your backlinks to be part of the story. That means getting featured in interviews, roundups, guest posts, or referenced naturally in articles. Avoid low-quality directories or sites that clearly sell links. Placement tells Google whether the link is editorial (good) or paid/spammy (bad). Context is king, so aim to be part of the narrative.
Backlink Growth Over Time
Sudden spikes in backlinks can trigger alarms in Google’s algorithm. Natural link building tends to happen gradually, as more people discover and reference your content. Monitoring the growth of your backlink profile helps you understand whether your strategy is working—or if something sketchy might be going on.
Use tools like Ahrefs to look at your link acquisition over time. Are you seeing steady growth, or did you get a random spike? Maybe a piece of content went viral—or maybe someone hit you with a bunch of spammy links. Either way, this metric gives you insight into your overall health and momentum. It also helps you spot trends and plan future campaigns.
Referring Domains vs. Total Backlinks
One of the easiest ways to inflate your backlink count is to get multiple links from the same site. But Google values diversity. Getting 10 backlinks from 10 different domains is better than 100 from just one. That’s why the number of unique referring domains is a better quality signal than raw backlink count.
That doesn’t mean multiple links from the same site are worthless. If it’s a reputable site that mentions you in different contexts, those links can still carry weight. But you should focus on expanding your network and reaching new audiences. Keep track of this metric in your dashboard and aim to increase referring domains month over month.
Conclusion
Link building isn’t just about getting as many links as possible—it’s about getting the right links. By focusing on these key metrics, you can build a healthier, more effective backlink profile that actually moves the needle in search rankings. Don’t fall into the trap of chasing high DA numbers without checking relevance, traffic, or anchor text.
Smart SEO professionals use data scraping tools, sometimes even an ai web scraping tool free, to gather insights and uncover link opportunities. Whether you’re working with data extraction from competitor sites or using data extraction software to analyze backlink profiles, knowing what to look for is half the battle. If you’re new to the game and wondering about data scraping meaning, just think of it as pulling info from the web to guide smarter decisions. In the end, success in link building comes down to strategy, consistency, and paying attention to what really matters—not just the metrics, but the story they tell.
