How to rate a link?

Valuing a link in SEO is really important to understand its impact on the visibility and authority of a website. Not all links are created equal, and their quality can vary significantly. That is why, of course, a link from a website with a similar theme and authority does not mean the same as another in comments, or forums that have no validity whatsoever.

Below I am going to detail the aspects that I consider most important:

1. Domain Authority:

One of the most crucial factors in valuing a link is the domain authority of the linking page. Tools like Moz’s Domain Authority (DA) or Ahrefs’ Domain Rating (DR) provide metrics that indicate the overall strength of a domain. The higher the domain authority, the more valuable the link.

2. Page Authority:

In addition to domain authority, it is important to evaluate the authority of the specific page providing the link. The landing page also has its own authority metric, such as Page Authority (PA) in Moz or URL Rating (UR) in Ahrefs.

3. Relevance of Content:

The relevance of the content is key to determining the quality of a link. A link from a page related to the topic of your site has more value than one from an unrelated page. Search engines value contextually relevant links as they indicate a thematic connection.

4. Anchor Text:

Anchor text, the visible text that links, is another important factor. It should be descriptive and contain keywords related to the linked content. Avoiding excessive use of keywords and keeping it natural is essential.

5. Link Diversity:

A diversified link profile is beneficial. Having links from various sources and types of websites, such as blogs, social networks and forums, is more natural and can be better perceived by search engines.

6. Follow and Nofollow Links:

«Follow» links allow search engines to follow the link and convey authority. «Nofollow» links tell engines not to follow the link and do not convey authority. Although nofollow links do not convey direct authority, they can still be valuable for traffic and visibility.

7. Context of the Source Page:

Evaluating the content surrounding the link is important. A link in a relevant and valuable context is more valuable than one on a page with sparse or low-quality content.

8. Link Position:

The position of the link on the page is also a factor. Links at the top of the content or in prominent areas usually carry more weight than links in the footer or in less visible sections.

9. Domain Link History:

Considering the link history of the domain providing the link is important. If the site has had problems with spammy practices in the past, it may affect the perception of link quality.

10. Social Sharing:

Popularity on social networks can indicate the quality and relevance of content. If a page has a good number of shares on social networks, it can be an indicator of its value.

11. Reciprocal Links:

Reciprocal links (exchanging links between two sites) should be handled with caution. If they are natural and relevant, they can be valuable, but overusing reciprocal links can have a negative impact.

12. Trends and Changes Over Time:

Observing trends and changes in domain and page authority over time can offer insight into link stability and quality.

Evaluating a link in SEO is a multidimensional process that involves considering various factors, from domain authority to content relevance and page context. A high-quality link can contribute significantly to a site’s SEO, while low-quality or irrelevant links can have the opposite effect. It is crucial to take a balanced and ethical approach to link earning and prioritize quality over quantity. Building a strong, natural link profile is essential for long-term success in SEO.