A single metric to evaluate link quality?
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We're using Moz and Ahrefs to monitor backlinks that we're getting to Siftery.
Given that there are so many factors that affect the potential quality of a backlink - domain authority, page authority, context, anchor text, etc. - is there a single metric that attempts to quantify the value of a link? I realize that this would be an inexact science, but it would be a helpful view to get a quick directional sense of what are our most valuable backlinks (and be able to tie it to the campaigns that led to them, for example).
If there's no "single metric" out there, are there heuristics that people have withstood the test of time?
Thanks for your help!
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I have two metrics.....
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Links that you didn't try to get and are delivering genuine traffic today. These are from people who really like your site and are willing to give you their visitors. Give thanks when you get these types of links. Pay attention to where they are coming from, what type of content they are landing on and their context on the linking site. Make more of that type of content and make it even better. Find out what you can do to give help to the generous people who give you these links. They are your fans and can become your strongest allies.
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Links within your own site that people are clicking to discover your best and most relevant content to what they are reading. If you are not promoting your own best stuff, nobody else is going to do it for you. This is a free and powerful way to cultivate fans and allies and get people to engage your website. Google is watching. Make more of these links and be sure that every page on your site has some. Use high quality images and words that elicit the click. Test different images and words. Make these immediately upon publishing a new page.
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