Different number of backlinks (Search console - Majestic)
-
Hi there,
I saw a notable difference between the number of backlinks from ref domains to my website in search console and majestic.
I basically have two questions: why such a difference? And which tool gives me the most accurate number between these two?
Thank you!
-
Google's primary objective is to give users the best experience, off course they do so by crawling the entire web for the most relevant results based on their search queries.
Google's Search Console is a free service that provides you with links Google the came across / found in the before mentioned proces.
With this in mind, be aware that Google does not crawl the web to give you as a webmaster the most recent en relevant backlink reports.
many links in Google's Search Console can therefore be old, non-existing links (even in most recent link reports)
Another shortcoming of Search Console in my opinion, is that is show where links are/were FROM, but not where they link TO.I personally think paid services such as MOZ, Majestic en Ahrefs do better jobs at this, because their primary objective is to give webmasters / SEM's the best experience, not searchers.
-
There will likely always be a significant variance between backlink tools. They have to first discover the links, and later determine if the links are still there. It's a pretty big job to do, for the entire internet.
Google Search Console will show you a sampling of links. You'll seldom ever get anywhere near the whole story from them. Unless, the site is new. I've still seen months long delays in reporting totally legit backlinks.
Majestic is pretty good. I've always found their metrics to be something of a gobble-dee-guk, which is only useful for comparisons between sites - within Majestic.
aHrefs is another backlink tool. And they do a fine job. But still, they have to update their database after crawls. The same as anyone else.
Open Site Explorer has always kind of lagged, but it's another source you should consider for backlink data.
So, no one tool has all of the information. I don't think that will happen for at least 10 years, if not more.
The reasons various tools lack certain information varies. Some tools, like ahrefs, are actually on the 'bad bots list'. And some webmasters use that to block their official bot from crawling their site. Thus no links would be discovered through their official bot, where sites block their bot.
Backlink research is as post-modern as it gets. (read: literature) You're seldom privileged with all the information. The sources you think should be authoritative aren't.
The answer has been, and will be for a while, seek out an array of backlink data information. No one thing is going to do it for you.
-
It'll vary because of the crawlers, each company will have a different amount of sites in their database, and they will also have a different process to get their data live in their console. Honestly I would take each with a grain of salt and just try and use them as a rough guide.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Backlink count is WAY high vs. competitors
Hi all! My site was managed by a SEO company that is no longer around. I started to look for a new agency and in the process, found Moz and decided to try out the report. While running the report, found out that my I have 3K links vs 173/1600/6344 links that my three other competitors have. Any simple guidance will be appreciated.
Link Building | | fullerton0 -
Do you recommend Yahoo Local Search registration?
I just wanted to check if you guys recommend Yahoo Local Search registration for SEO purposes. Is it worthwhile to pay £300? What's your view? Thanks
Link Building | | Rubix0 -
Backlinks outside my country
Hi there! If the product, service or resouce I offer is located in my country: Is it worth to include directories located in p.e EEUU in order to increase my Pagerank although this is not my potencial client (due to the "distance" obviouly).? If my potencial clients were people fromo other countries that could come to mine to enjoy this service? Should I include my links in directories of these countries and obtain links from websites of these countries? many thanks
Link Building | | juanmiguelcr0 -
Daily backlinks
Hi whats the number of backlinks i can create a day, for each keyword that i want to rank for, some say 5-10 or 20-30, other say there is no limited, if you create quality backlnks i know its not about quantity but quality ,but really whats a best answer? Thanks
Link Building | | xverticle0 -
Which backlink will be more useful?
Which bacllink will be most useful and gives me most juice? -link from all pages on the website (in footer), such as menu
Link Building | | ATCnik
-link from all pages on the website (in footer, display:none;), such as menu
-link from home page (footer)
-link from the page which have highest PR (PA) (footer)
-contextual-link from most relevant page on the site0 -
Are backlinks to a domain that redirects useless?
I am working on trying to get backlinks. We are currently redirecting a few Domains to our current domain name. One of the Domains that is redirecting is the main Domain, we will be advertising in the near future. Can I send backlinks to the redirected URL or does it only carry link juice if it is to the main Domain?
Link Building | | hfranz0 -
Backlinks from embeded Wistia video?
If I use Wistia for my videos, and somebody embeds my video on their site, can I get a backlink from this?
Link Building | | gregalam0 -
Linkbuilding from different niche!
Hi Mozzers, I have a small question. If my website niche is Rent a Car, and lot of friends, people around the world, have restaurant, for example friend of me was a CHEF of restaurant for about 15years, and now he started working with Cars, how is danger if he receive backlinks from the restaurant websites? Its this danger? can google penalize the site if receive backlinks from different niche,different cctld domains,and language too? Thanks
Link Building | | leadsprofi0