Referring domains

What are referring domains?

Referring domains are the unique websites, counted by domain name, that contain at least one link to your website. A hundred backlinks from the same site therefore count as a single referring domain. SEO tools such as Ahrefs and Semrush show this number next to the total number of backlinks.

Why are referring domains important?

• More diversity: links from many different websites look more natural and carry more weight than many links from one source.
• Better comparison: the number shows how your link profile stacks up against competitors.
• No fixed threshold: Google gives no minimum number, so quality and relevance still lead.

Examples of referring domains

• 50 links from one blog: 1 referring domain
• One link each from a local newspaper, a trade association and a supplier: 3 referring domains

How do you use referring domains?

Compare your number of referring domains with your competitors’ and look for new sources: partners, trade media and local organisations (link building). Aim for relevant websites, not just a higher number.