The most important link building metrics to track are domain authority, page strength, anchor text, page relevance, total number of links, linking root domains, and link position on the page. Together, these metrics help you measure backlink quality, prove ROI, and build a stronger, safer backlink profile.
Link building has been a pillar of SEO since the very beginning. But getting links is only half the job. If you can’t measure their value, you have no way of knowing whether your campaign is working—or quietly wasting your budget.
The good news? You don’t need to track everything. A handful of well-chosen metrics will tell you how healthy your backlink profile is, which sites are worth pursuing, and whether your efforts are paying off in rankings and traffic.
This guide breaks down seven of the most important link building metrics, why each one matters, and which tools you can use to check them. Whether you’re starting your first campaign or auditing an existing one, these metrics give you a solid foundation for smarter link building.
What are link building metrics?
Link building metrics are quantitative and qualitative indicators used to measure the value and effectiveness of the backlinks pointing to your website. In short, they tell you how healthy your backlink profile is.
Not all backlinks are equal. A link from a trusted, relevant publication can boost your rankings, while a link from a spammy domain can drag them down. By measuring the right metrics, you can prioritize high-quality links, justify your spend, and avoid choices that hurt your SEO over time.
Here’s a quick overview of the seven metrics we’ll cover:
| Metric | What it measures | Type |
| Domain authority | Overall strength of an entire website | Site-level |
| Page strength | Strength of a specific page | Page-level |
| Anchor text | The clickable text linking to your site | Quality |
| Page relevance | How related the linking page is to your niche | Quality |
| Number of links | Total backlinks pointing to your site | Quantity |
| Linking root domains | Number of unique sites linking to you | Quantity |
| Link position | Where the link sits on the page | Quality |
- How do you check a site’s domain authority?
Domain authority (sometimes called domain strength) measures the overall credibility of an entire website. It factors in things like the age of the domain, how many unique sites link to it, the total volume of backlinks, and overall content quality.
This is arguably the most important metric of the bunch, for two reasons. First, you can use it to track your own progress—as you earn more quality backlinks, your domain authority should climb. If it stays flat, something in your strategy isn’t working. Second, you can use it to vet potential link targets. A link from a high-authority site like a major news outlet or university passes far more value than a link from an obscure, low-authority blog.
Also Read: 6 Local SEO Tips That Work Better With Google BERT in 2026
Tools to check it: Moz Link Explorer popularized the term “domain authority,” but you can also use Ahrefs, SEMrush, SE Ranking, or Neil Patel’s free Backlink Checker.
- What is page strength and why does it matter?
Page strength works just like domain authority, but it zooms in on a single page rather than the whole website. Google’s own PageRank metric was the original version of this, scoring pages from 0 to 10.
On most sites, page strength peaks at the homepage and tapers off as you move toward newer or more obscure pages. When you’re evaluating a potential backlink, page strength tells you how powerful the specific page linking to you really is. A link from a high-strength page carries far more weight than one buried on a weak, rarely-visited page.
Tools to check it: Moz reports a “page authority” score, while Ahrefs and SEMrush offer their own page-level metrics. SEOptimer’s backlink checker also displays page strength alongside other data.
- How do you choose the right anchor text?
Anchor text is the clickable, hyperlinked text that points back to your site. It matters because it signals to search engines what your page is about—much like keywords do for your on-page content.
A natural backlink profile includes a healthy mix of anchor types:
- Branded: your business or brand name
- Generic: phrases like “click here” or “read more”
- Naked URLs: for example, “www.yoursite.com“
- Partial-match: a variation of your target keyword
- Exact-match: your precise target keyword (use sparingly)
Here’s the catch: over-optimizing with too much exact-match, keyword-rich anchor text looks manipulative to Google and can trigger penalties. Aim for variety. Where possible, point links to deep, relevant pages rather than always linking to your homepage—this spreads authority across your site.
Tools to check it: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and Linkio all let you analyze your anchor text distribution and flag over-used anchors.
- How important is page relevance in link building?
Page relevance measures how closely the linking page relates to your industry or niche. A link from a topically similar site carries far more weight than one from an unrelated source.
Say you run a landscaping business. A link from a gardening blog is far more valuable than one from a video game site—for two reasons. First, it’s more likely to send you real, interested traffic. Second, Google places significant weight on relevance, treating a related link as a stronger vote of confidence.
While tools provide useful data, there’s no substitute for a manual review. Read the content, check who wrote it, and look at the other topics the site covers. Geographic relevance matters too—a link from a site in your target region adds local credibility.
Tools to check it: Use Ahrefs or SEMrush to analyze a site’s topical focus and the keywords it ranks for, then review the page manually for context.
- Why count the number of links built?
The total number of backlinks pointing to your site is one of the simplest metrics to track—and it’s still useful, even though quantity alone doesn’t guarantee rankings.
Tracking total links serves three purposes:
- Spotting lost links. If a site that used to link to you drops the link, it’s worth reaching out—they’re often open to re-linking.
- Benchmarking competitors. Comparing your link count to rivals who outrank you shows the bar you need to clear.
- Confirming progress. A steady rise tells you your efforts are paying off. A flat line is a signal to investigate.
Tools to check it: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and SE Ranking all report total backlink counts and track changes over time.
- What are linking root domains and why do they matter?
Linking root domains measures how many unique websites link to you—not just the total number of links. This metric often matters more than raw link volume.
Here’s why. Google treats each backlink a bit like a vote of trust. When the same domain links to you ten times, it’s like one person repeating the same endorsement. But when ten different domains link to you, that’s ten separate votes of confidence. So five links from five different sites typically beat five links from a single site.
When measuring success, watch this number alongside your total links. A growing count of unique referring domains is one of the clearest signs of a healthy campaign.
Tools to check it: Majestic’s Site Explorer is a popular choice, and Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz all report referring domains too.
- How does link position on the page affect SEO?
Where a link sits on a page tells search engines how much the site owner trusts it. A link placed front-and-center within the main body content signals importance. A link buried in a footer or sidebar signals the opposite.
Think about your own behavior: if you wanted readers to notice a link, you’d put it inside your main content, not hidden at the bottom of the page. Google reads link placement the same way. Contextual, in-content links—especially those above the fold—pass more value than links lost in a crowded footer.
When you earn links, aim for natural, in-content placements that genuinely add value for readers. Avoid link schemes that try to game placement, since Google’s guidelines specifically discourage manipulative tactics.
Tools to check it: Inspect placement manually with Chrome’s Developer Tools, or use Screaming Frog and Site Checker to audit where links appear across pages.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you track link building metrics?
Run a basic check monthly to gauge the impact of your efforts. Conduct a deeper profile analysis every quarter to compare growth in referring domains, link quality, and keyword rankings. You should also review your metrics right after completing a major campaign, or if you notice ranking changes following a Google algorithm update.
What’s the difference between page strength and domain authority?
Domain authority measures the cumulative credibility of an entire website, while page strength evaluates a single page. Domain authority lifts the ranking potential of every page on a site; page strength only affects that specific page’s ability to rank.
Does the number of backlinks still matter for SEO?
Yes, but quality beats quantity. A rising link count is a positive sign, yet 100 links from spammy sites can do more harm than 10 links from trusted, relevant domains. Always weigh volume against the authority and relevance of the linking sites.
Which tools are best for tracking link building metrics?
Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz are the most comprehensive all-in-one options. For specific needs, try Majestic for referring domains, Screaming Frog for technical audits, Linkio for anchor text, and Neil Patel’s Backlink Checker for free domain checks.
How do you know if a link building campaign is successful?
Benchmark your keyword rankings, domain authority, total backlinks, and referring domains before the campaign begins. After it ends, compare the numbers. A rise across these metrics—especially rankings and unique referring domains—indicates a positive return.
