The speed at which a site gains or loses backlinks over time.
Why Link Velocity Matters
Link velocity matters because it’s a direct signal of a website’s authority and relevance. Search engines use a variety of factors to determine a website’s ranking, and link velocity is a key part of that algorithm. A website with a high number of high-quality backlinks is more likely to rank higher in search results. It’s about earning a reputation in your industry. When other websites link to your content, they are essentially vouching for your expertise, which helps to build your site’s E-E-A-T signals.
Across Different CMS Platforms
The management of link velocity is a content and technical SEO strategy that can be applied to any CMS.
WordPress
WordPress users can easily manage their link velocity by using a variety of plugins. A good SEO plugin can help you track your backlinks and to ensure you are using a variety of keywords that are relevant to your content.
Shopify
On Shopify, link velocity is essential for your product descriptions and blog posts. You can use a variety of tools to find a backlink from a relevant website. A link from a high-quality blog or a news site can significantly boost your rankings.
Wix
Wix has a streamlined, user-friendly system, but you can still optimize for link velocity. The platform’s built-in SEO tools make it easy to manage your titles, meta descriptions, and on-page content.
Webflow
Webflow gives you granular control over your website’s design and code, which is perfect for a sophisticated link-building strategy. You can use it to create a perfectly structured page that is optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, you have the most control but also the most responsibility. You can build a system that automatically tracks and analyzes your link velocity and provides your content creators with data-driven insights.
Across Different Industries
The way you use link velocity will depend on your industry and your goals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites can use link velocity to build a stronger brand reputation. A site that sells running shoes could get a backlink from a blog that reviews running shoes.
Local Businesses
Local businesses can use link velocity to build a stronger community. A local restaurant could get a backlink from a local newspaper or a local blog.
SaaS Companies
SaaS companies can use it to build a stronger brand reputation. A company that sells project management software could get a backlink from a blog that reviews project management tools.
Blogs
Blogs are a great way to capitalize on it. A blog that writes about cooking can get a backlink from a blog that writes about baking.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do use a link-building tool. A tool like SEMrush or Ahrefs is a must.
- Do use a variety of link-building tactics. A good link-building strategy includes a mix of guest posting, broken link building, and a backlink from a news site.
- Do focus on quality over quantity. A single backlink from a high-quality website is more valuable than a hundred from a low-quality website.
Don’ts
- Don’t use a black hat link-building tactic. This can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t buy backlinks. This is a clear violation of Google’s guidelines and can lead to a severe penalty.
- Don’t use a link exchange with a low-quality website. This can harm your SEO.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to build a backlink profile: This is a basic but critical step. You cannot improve what you do not measure.
- Ignoring a user’s intent: A backlink should be used with a user’s intent in mind.
- Focusing on a single link-building tactic: This is a risky and outdated approach.
FAQs
Is a high link velocity always a good thing?
No, a high link velocity is not always a good thing. A natural growth in link velocity is a positive signal. A sudden, unnatural spike, on the other hand, can be a red flag for search engines and may be a sign of a black hat SEO tactic.
How is link velocity different from link building?
It is the rate at which a website acquires new backlinks. Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites.
Can a website with a low link velocity still rank?
A website with a low link velocity can still rank, but it can be difficult. A high link velocity is a strong signal of a website’s authority and trustworthiness.
What is a “backlink”?
A backlink is a link from one website to another. It is also known as an inbound link.
What is the difference between link velocity and keyword velocity?
It measures the rate at which a website is acquiring new backlinks. Keyword velocity measures the rate at which a webpage is gaining rankings and organic traffic for a specific keyword.
