Dossier
Referring Domains vs Backlinks: Which Metric Matters More?
Los backlinks son enlaces individuales; los referring domains son los dominios únicos que enlazan. En SEO, los referring domains suelen ser la métrica más útil para medir diversidad de enlaces, mientras que backlinks mide volumen bruto de enlaces.
- Effort
- Bajo: solo necesitas una herramienta y unos minutos para obtener los datos.
- Cost
- Gratis (Google Search Console) o desde $29/mes para herramientas comerciales.
- Policy risk
- Bajo: medir enlaces no infringe ninguna política de Google.
- Best for
- Cualquier SEO que quiera entender la calidad y diversidad de su perfil de enlaces.
Desk ranking
Top tools for comparing backlinks and referring domains
We ranked these tools based on data depth, clarity of backlinks vs. referring domains reporting, and value for SEO buyers.
Ahrefs
Score 9.2
Ahrefs provides separate reports for backlinks and referring domains, making it easy to compare volume vs. diversity. Its Site Explorer shows total backlinks, unique referring domains, and domain-level authority metrics like Domain Rating (DR). For a deeper dive, see our backlink analysis tools guide.
- Clear distinction between backlinks and referring domains in reports
- Large link index updated frequently
- Strong competitive analysis features
Best for: SEO professionals who need precise link profile breakdowns
SEMrush
Score 8.8
SEMrush offers a Backlink Analytics tool that breaks down total backlinks, referring domains, and new/lost links over time. Its domain comparison feature helps you see how your link diversity stacks up against competitors. The platform also integrates with outreach workflows.
- Combines backlink data with broader SEO tools
- Historical data for trend analysis
- Useful for competitor link gap analysis
Best for: Agencies and in-house teams running recurring link audits
Majestic
Score 8.4
Majestic focuses exclusively on link data, providing detailed reports on backlinks, referring domains, and trust metrics like Trust Flow and Citation Flow. Its historic index is one of the largest, making it ideal for analyzing link profile evolution.
- Dedicated link analysis with unique metrics
- Large historical backlink database
- Clear separation of backlinks vs. referring domains
Best for: Link builders and analysts who prioritize link data depth
Moz Pro
Score 8
Moz Pro provides backlink and referring domain counts alongside its proprietary Domain Authority (DA) metric. The Link Explorer tool shows total links, unique domains, and spam score, making it accessible for non-technical users.
- Easy-to-understand metrics like DA
- Good for quick link profile checks
- Integrates with other Moz SEO tools
Best for: Marketers who want link metrics plus broader SEO tooling
SE Ranking
Score 7.6
SE Ranking includes a backlink checker that reports total backlinks and referring domains, along with competitor comparison. It's a balanced option for SMBs and agencies that need link data without enterprise pricing.
- Affordable pricing for small teams
- Includes competitor backlink analysis
- Simple interface for quick audits
Best for: SMBs and agencies seeking a budget-friendly SEO suite
SEOptimer
Score 7.2
SEOptimer offers a straightforward backlink audit tool that shows backlinks and referring domain counts in a clean interface. It's best for quick checks rather than deep analysis, but it's easy to use for beginners.
- Very easy to use
- Fast results for basic link data
- Good for initial site audits
Best for: Buyers wanting quick backlink checks without complexity
BuzzStream
Score 6.8
BuzzStream is primarily an outreach tool but includes backlink tracking and referring domain management. It helps you organize link-building campaigns and monitor acquired links, though it relies on integrations for raw data.
- Strong outreach workflow for link building
- Tracks link acquisition progress
- Good for team collaboration
Best for: Teams that need outreach operations after prospect discovery
Pitchbox
Score 6.4
Pitchbox focuses on automating outreach for link building, with features for prospecting and personalization. It can track backlinks and referring domains from campaigns, but it's not a standalone backlink analysis tool.
- Built for scalable outreach
- Good for agency workflows
- Integrates with link data sources
Best for: Agencies and large teams running structured link-building programs
Analysis
What Are Backlinks and Referring Domains?
A backlink is any individual inbound link from one page to yours. If the same site links to you from five different pages, that's five backlinks. A referring domain counts only unique domains that contain at least one link to your site. So that same scenario gives you one referring domain and five backlinks.
The distinction matters because a single domain can dump dozens of links your way without adding real diversity. I've seen profiles with 500 backlinks from just two domains – that's not a healthy link ecosystem. For a clearer picture of your link profile, you need to look at both numbers together. Tools like backlink analysis tools and metrics let you compare these figures across different sources.
Analysis
Why Referring Domains Matter More for Link Diversity
Google's algorithm values diversity. A natural link profile typically shows 3–5 backlinks per referring domain on mature sites. Viral content can push that to 10:1. When the ratio climbs above 20:1, it often signals manipulation – paid links, PBNs, or aggressive syndication.
Referring domains are the better proxy for real-world authority. If ten different reputable sites link to you, that carries more weight than a hundred links from one site. I always tell clients: focus on earning links from new, relevant domains rather than stacking links from the same sources. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on high quality backlinks and how to evaluate them.
Analysis
Comparing Backlink Tools: Data Discrepancies
No two backlink databases are identical. Ahrefs, Semrush, Majestic, and Moz all crawl different slices of the web. I've run the same URL through three tools and seen referring domain counts vary by 40%. That's not a bug – it's a feature of different index sizes and update frequencies.
When you're auditing your profile, stick with one tool for trend analysis. Switching tools mid-stream will give you false deltas. For a thorough comparison of the major players, see our backlink audit tools page. And if you're serious about accuracy, cross-reference with Google Search Console – it's the only source that shows what Google actually sees.
Analysis
How to Improve Each Metric Strategically
For referring domains, prioritize quality over quantity. Digital PR, HARO, and creating linkable assets are proven tactics. One link from a .edu or .gov domain can be worth more than fifty from low-tier blogs. I've seen sites double their organic traffic after earning just three strong editorial links.
For backlinks, focus on internal linking depth and recovering unlinked brand mentions. Strategic content syndication can also boost backlink counts, but be careful – duplicate content issues can dilute value. Avoid over-optimization; a sudden spike in exact-match anchor text links is a red flag. Learn more about ethical approaches in our how to get backlinks guide.
Analysis
Fatal Mistakes When Interpreting the Data
Ignoring anchor text context. A profile full of "click here" links is weak. Not segmenting by language or region – a German .de linking to your US site may not help local rankings. Comparing raw numbers across different tools without normalizing. Blindly trusting authority metrics like DA or DR without looking at the actual linking pages.
Another common error: focusing only on volume while ignoring toxic links. A single spammy referring domain can drag down your entire profile. Run regular audits using backlink monitoring tools to catch problems early. And never chase backlinks at the expense of relevance – a link from a gardening site won't help your SaaS page.
Analysis
Final Thoughts: Which Metric Should You Track?
Track both, but prioritize referring domains for strategic decisions. They tell you about diversity, authority, and real-world influence. Backlinks are useful for diagnosing patterns – like whether a single site is over-linking or if you have too many low-value directory links.
If you only have time for one metric, make it referring domains. That's the number that correlates most strongly with rankings in my experience. For a complete view, combine it with a backlink profile analysis and regular competitor benchmarking. The tools are cheap; the insights are invaluable.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a backlink and a referring domain?
A backlink is a single link from one page to yours. A referring domain is a unique domain that contains at least one link to your site. For example, if example.com links to you from three different pages, that's three backlinks but one referring domain.
Which free backlink checker is best?
Google Search Console is the best free option for your own site – it shows exactly what Google sees. For external analysis, Ahrefs and Semrush offer limited free versions. Ubersuggest also provides basic data. None of these are as comprehensive as paid tools, but they're good for quick checks.
How do I increase domain authority?
You don't increase DA directly – it's a Moz metric, not a Google ranking factor. Instead, focus on earning high-quality referring domains from relevant, authoritative sites. Improve your content, build internal links, and avoid spammy tactics. Over time, your DA will rise as a side effect of real authority.
Should I track referring domains or backlinks?
Both, but with different priorities. Use referring domains to measure diversity and authority. Use backlinks to understand volume and link patterns. If you only track one, choose referring domains – they're a better indicator of link profile health.
Evidence
Sources cited
- Semrush — Comprobador gratuito de backlinks y flujo básico para analizar backlinks y métricas.
- USEO — Comparación de bases de datos de backlinks y diferencias entre Ahrefs, Majestic, Semrush y Sistrix.
- Seobility — Backlink checker gratis con dominios de referencia y proporción follow/nofollow.
- Q2B Studio — Comparación de herramientas gratis; Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Moz, Semrush y cobertura relativa.
- WPBeginner — Rangos de precios de LinkMiner, Ubersuggest, Ahrefs y Moz Pro.
- Skoatch — Definición práctica de referring domains como indicador de diversidad y autoridad percibida; uso de GSC, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Majestic y Moz.
- Serpstat — Informe de backlinks con dominios de referencia y análisis competitivo.
- Sergio Canales — Uso de Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Semrush y Ubersuggest para ver backlinks; menciona consultas gratuitas limitadas.
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