Linking Root Domains V.s Total Links

[SEOrookie17]

When analysing a company's inbound links, what is more important to note: The number of linking root domains, or the total number of links? And why?

[DougRoberts]

The number of linking root domains is normally more important.

(From the Open Site Explorer about): "Engineers at SEOmoz have found that "# of linking root domains" is much more highly correlated to real rankings than "# of links"."

Think about the extremes, you could have a page that has hundreds of links from one other website vs. a page that has 1 links for hundreds of websites. Which one do you think is more likely to be more valuable?

Think of it like 20 votes from one person vs. 1 vote from 20 people!

Of course this is taking a very simplistic view. Remember also that not every other site has the same authority, So you need to look at the domain authority of the linking root domains too!

Would you trust a page that a bunch of sites you've not heard of link to vs a page that the likes of wikipedia, cnn, BBC News all link to?

Hope this helps!

[AWCthreads]

I'd also consider the purpose of analyzing links. When I look at a competitors links, I look at the volume of linking domains, then I look at the kind and quality of the domains.

If I'm wondering why a competitor is kicking my butt, I don't care about the quantity of links as much as the quality of links.  I'll look through the links in the profile and pick out the links I think I can benefit from and pursue a link acquisition.

If you're only interested in face value information, the number of linking domains is most important.

[SEOrookie17]

Thanks Doug,

I did some inbound link analysis for two companies and found that the Linking root domains and total links seemed rather relative to site authority, so I think you have also answered my question about website how a company gains  authority also! (Two bird with one stone).

Cheers for your time,

[SEOrookie17]

Thanks AWSthreads,

That was a really helpful answer, as I was trying to verify a proper method to analysing a company's links. I tried a link analysis of  a couple of websites myself, and noticed that there was a mixture of branded and commercial links and Image links, is this what your talk about when you say that you would pick out the links you think you can benefit from (or would you actually be basing that wholly on link authority).

With hope, I will gain enough knowledge so I can attend a link building workshop and start learning at the next level!

Thanks for your time,

Janaya