Link Velocity - AIOSEO

Link velocity refers to the speed at which a website acquires backlinks over time. This metric indicates how quickly a website gains links from other websites.

Link velocity takes into account the number of new backlinks earned within a specific time frame, such as per day, week, or month.

Positive link velocity indicates a website is attracting more links over time.
Negative link velocity indicates the site is losing links over time.
Competitive link velocity measures your link velocity over that of a competitor.

In the context of SEO, link velocity is an important factor because it can influence how search engines perceive the quality and naturalness of a website’s backlink profile.

For instance, a website that suddenly acquires a large number of backlinks in a short period may trigger search engines’ spam detection algorithms, as this pattern can be indicative of unnatural link building practices.

On the other hand, a website that earns backlinks at a steady, moderate pace is more likely to be seen as having a natural and organic backlink profile. This can positively impact the website’s search engine rankings, as it suggests that the site is gaining popularity and authority gradually over time.

Note that some websites may display a sudden surge in backlinks because they recently began a link-building campaign. Google’s algorithms will not solely rely on sudden changes in link velocity when determining if a link scheme is at play.

It’s important to note that link velocity is just one of many factors that search engines consider when evaluating a website’s backlink profile. Other factors include the quality and relevance of the linking websites, the diversity of link types, and the anchor text used in the links.

To maintain a healthy link velocity, SEO best practices recommend focusing on creating high-quality, valuable content that naturally attracts backlinks from reputable sources over time, rather than engaging in aggressive or manipulative link building tactics.