Key SEO Definitions Guide

John Dwyer

Digital Strategist

October 10, 2024

Welcome to our Key SEO Definitions Guide! Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refresh your SEO knowledge, this guide provides clear definitions and explanations of essential SEO terms and metrics. Navigate through the sections using the Table of Contents below, and refer to the FAQs for additional insights.

Key SEO Definitions

Indexed Pages

Definition: The number of pages from a domain that are indexed by search engines like Google.

Implications: A higher number of indexed pages can increase a website’s visibility in search results. However, it’s essential to ensure that these pages are of high quality and relevant to avoid diluting the site’s overall SEO strength.

Domain Rating (DR)

Definition: A metric provided by tools like Ahrefs that measures the strength of a website’s backlink profile on a scale from 0 to 100.

Implications: A higher DR indicates a stronger backlink profile, which can enhance the website’s ability to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Domain Authority (DA)

Definition: A Moz metric that predicts how well a website will rank on search engines, scored on a scale from 0 to 100.

Implications: Similar to DR, a higher DA suggests a greater ability to rank, making it a valuable indicator for SEO performance.

Trust Flow (TF)

Definition: A metric from Majestic that assesses the trustworthiness of a website based on the quality of its backlinks.

Implications: A higher TF signifies more reliable and high-quality backlinks, which can positively influence the site’s SEO.

Citation Flow (CF)

Definition: Another Majestic metric that measures the influence of a website based on the number of backlinks it has, scored on a scale from 0 to 100.

Implications: While CF indicates the quantity of backlinks, it doesn’t account for their quality. Balancing CF with TF is crucial for a robust backlink profile.

Organic Keywords

Definition: The number of keywords for which a domain ranks organically in search engines.

Implications: A higher number of organic keywords can lead to increased visibility and traffic, as the site appears in search results for a broader range of queries.

Organic Traffic

Definition: The estimated number of visitors arriving at a website through organic search results.

Implications: Higher organic traffic typically reflects better SEO performance, as more users find the site without paid advertising.

Google Business Profile (GBP) Review

Definition: The number of reviews a business has on its Google Business Profile.

Implications: A higher number of reviews can enhance local SEO, build credibility, and influence potential customers’ decisions.

Google Business Profile (GBP) Rating

Definition: The average rating a business receives on its Google Business Profile, typically on a scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Implications: Higher ratings can improve trust, increase click-through rates, and positively impact local search rankings.

Referring Domains

Referring Domains (Dofollow)

Definition: The number of unique domains that provide “dofollow” backlinks, which pass SEO value to the website.

Implications: More dofollow backlinks from diverse domains can significantly enhance a site’s SEO authority.

Referring Domains (Dofollow + Blog)

Definition: The number of dofollow backlinks specifically from blog sites.

Implications: Blog backlinks are often valuable due to their typically high engagement and relevance, contributing positively to SEO.

Referring Domains (Dofollow) – Last 3 Months

Definition: The number of dofollow referring domains acquired in the past three months.

Implications: Recent backlinks indicate ongoing SEO efforts and can contribute to short-term ranking improvements.

Referring Domains (Dofollow + Blog) – Last 3 Months

Definition: The number of dofollow blog backlinks acquired in the past three months.

Implications: Recent high-quality blog backlinks can provide a timely boost to current SEO performance.

Referring .com Domains

Definition: The number of .com domains linking to the website.

Implications: .com domains are often perceived as more authoritative, and backlinks from them can carry significant SEO value.

Referring .net Domains

Definition: The number of .net domains linking to the website.

Implications: Backlinks from .net domains can help diversify a site’s backlink profile, contributing to a more natural link distribution.

Referring .org Domains

Definition: The number of .org domains linking to the website.

Implications: .org domains are typically associated with non-profits or authoritative content, making their backlinks valuable for trust and credibility.

Referring IPs

Definition: The number of unique IP addresses from which backlinks originate.

Implications: A higher number of referring IPs suggests a diverse and natural backlink profile, reducing the risk of penalties from search engines.

Referring Subnets

Definition: The number of unique subnets from which backlinks originate.

Implications: Similar to referring IPs, a higher number of referring subnets indicates a diverse backlink source base, enhancing SEO robustness.

Backlinks

Definition: The total number of backlinks pointing to a website.

Implications: While a higher number of backlinks can improve SEO, the quality and relevance of these links are more critical than sheer quantity.

Dofollow Links

Definition: Backlinks that pass SEO authority to the website, contributing directly to higher search rankings.

Implications: Essential for improving search engine rankings, dofollow links from reputable sites are highly valuable.

Nofollow Links

Definition: Backlinks that do not pass SEO authority to the website.

Implications: While they don’t directly impact rankings, nofollow links contribute to a natural backlink profile and can drive referral traffic.

Regular Links

Definition: Standard hyperlinks that may encompass both dofollow and nofollow attributes.

Implications: A diverse mix of regular links contributes to a natural and balanced backlink profile, which is favourable for SEO.

Image Links

Definition: Backlinks embedded in images.

Implications: These can drive traffic through image searches and add diversity to the backlink profile, enhancing overall SEO strategy.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR)?

Answer: While both DA (by Moz) and DR (by Ahrefs) measure the strength of a website’s backlink profile, they use different algorithms and scales. DA focuses on predicting search engine rankings, whereas DR assesses the overall backlink strength. It’s beneficial to consider both metrics for a comprehensive SEO analysis.

2. How do Trust Flow (TF) and Citation Flow (CF) work together?

Answer: TF measures the quality and trustworthiness of backlinks, while CF quantifies the quantity. A balanced ratio between TF and CF indicates a strong and credible backlink profile. High CF with low TF may suggest many low-quality links, whereas high TF with moderate CF reflects high-quality backlinks.

3. Why are dofollow links more valuable than nofollow links?

Answer: Dofollow links pass SEO authority to the linked website, directly impacting search rankings. Nofollow links do not pass authority but still contribute to traffic and a natural backlink profile, which is important for SEO.

4. How can I increase the number of organic keywords my site ranks for?

Answer: To increase organic keywords, focus on creating high-quality, relevant content optimised for target keywords, perform thorough keyword research to identify opportunities, and ensure your site has a strong internal linking structure. Additionally, building a robust backlink profile can help improve rankings for more keywords.

5. What strategies can improve my Domain Authority (DA)?

Answer: Improving DA involves acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable and relevant websites, optimising on-page SEO factors (such as meta tags, content quality, and site structure), ensuring a good user experience, and regularly updating your content to keep it fresh and relevant.

6. How important are Google Business Profile reviews for local SEO?

Answer: GBP reviews are crucial for local SEO as they enhance a business’s visibility in local search results and Google Maps. Positive reviews build trust and can influence potential customers’ decisions, while also signalling to search engines that your business is reputable and active.

7. What is the significance of having backlinks from diverse IPs and subnets?

Answer: Backlinks from a diverse range of IPs and subnets indicate a natural and varied backlink profile, reducing the risk of penalties from search engines for unnatural link patterns. It shows that your site is referenced by many different sources, enhancing its credibility and authority.

8. Can having too many backlinks negatively impact my SEO?

Answer: While having a large number of backlinks is generally positive, the quality of those links matters more than quantity. Low-quality or spammy backlinks can harm your SEO by triggering penalties from search engines. It’s essential to focus on acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks.

9. How often should I monitor my SEO metrics?

Answer: Regular monitoring is key to successful SEO. It’s recommended to track your SEO metrics at least monthly to identify trends, measure the impact of your strategies, and make informed adjustments as needed. Using tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Moz, and Majestic can provide comprehensive insights.

10. What role does content quality play in SEO?

Answer: Content quality is paramount in SEO. High-quality, relevant, and engaging content attracts more visitors, encourages sharing and backlinks, and satisfies user intent, all of which contribute to higher search rankings. Regularly updating and optimising your content ensures it remains valuable and competitive.

We hope this guide helps you navigate the complexities of SEO with ease. If you have any further questions or need personalised SEO strategies, feel free to reach out!