Referring domains are unique websites that contain at least one link pointing to a specific website or web page. In other words, if Website A has a link pointing to Website B, then Website A is considered a referring domain for Website B.
Keyword research tools like Semrush and Ahrefs track referring domains for several reasons:
- Backlink analysis: Referring domains are a key component of backlink analysis. These tools help website owners and SEO professionals identify which websites are linking to their site or competitors’ sites, providing insights into their backlink profile and potential link building opportunities.
- Domain authority: The quantity and quality of referring domains are important factors in determining a website’s domain authority. Generally, a higher number of high-quality referring domains indicates a more authoritative website, which can positively impact search engine rankings.
- Competitor research: By analyzing the referring domains of competitor websites, businesses can identify potential link building opportunities, uncover common backlink sources within their industry, and develop strategies to improve their own backlink profile.
- Link building strategy: Understanding the referring domains of a website can help inform link building strategies. SEO professionals can target similar high-quality websites for link building efforts or identify gaps in their backlink profile compared to competitors.
- Spam detection: Analyzing referring domains can help identify low-quality or spammy websites linking to a site. This information can be used to disavow these links or take action to remove them, protecting the website’s reputation and search engine rankings.
By tracking referring domains, keyword research tools like Semrush and Ahrefs provide valuable data for SEO professionals and website owners looking to improve their search engine rankings, assess their backlink profile, and develop effective link building strategies.