When it comes to the complex and almost scientific world of search engine optimisation (SEO), one crucial factor often overlooked is the concept of link dilution.
Many SEO professionals focus solely on metrics like Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR) when evaluating the potential impact of backlinks. However, these metrics fail to capture the true authority and SEO impact of a website accurately.
In fact, over 70% of third-party SEO metric calculations are totally incorrect compared to how search engines truly measure a website’s Search Engine Results Page (SERP) & SEO impact.
What is Link Dilution?
Link dilution refers to the diminishing strength or authority of a website’s outbound links when it links to too many other websites.
Imagine a website as a vessel of authority. Each outbound link it provides is like a drain on that authority. The more links it gives out, the weaker each individual link becomes in terms of SEO impact. This is a critical factor that Google considers when determining the power of a backlink.
Understanding the Impact of Outbound Links
To illustrate this concept, let’s consider two hypothetical websites, Site A and Site B, both with a DA score of 50. Site A only provides a total of 10 outbound links, while Site B generously offers over 1000 links.
Despite having the same DA score, a backlink from Site A would be significantly more powerful than one from Site B due to link dilution. Google recognises and rewards websites that are selective and cautious with their outbound links. As a result, the site receiving the link will be awarded with more power, authority or “Link Juice” as many SEO’s like to put it.
Real-World Examples
Even renowned websites like The New York Times, boasting a high DA score, may not provide as strong of a backlink as expected. Over time, these websites have handed out thousands of outbound links, leading to a dilution of their outbound link authority.
Conversely, websites that carefully manage their outbound links, such as Tech Business News, can offer more powerful backlinks due to their limited outbound link policy.
The Power of Selectivity
In the competitive landscape of SEO, the adage “quality over quantity” holds true, especially when it comes to backlinks. Rather than focusing solely on metrics like DA or DR, SEO professionals should prioritise acquiring backlinks from websites that maintain a low outbound link count and demonstrate selectivity in their linking practices.
Search Engine Algorithm’s & Calculations – Hyperlink Dilution
Here’s an example of a sophisticated algorithm that simulates how a search engine like Google “might” calculate link dilution:
def calculate_link_dilution(obl_count): “”” Calculate link dilution based on the number of outbound links (OBL) from a website.
Args: – obl_count (int): The number of outbound links from the website. Returns: – link_dilution_score (float): The calculated link dilution score.
Returns: – link_dilution_score (float): The calculated link dilution score. “””
# Define constants representing parameters used in the calculation
MAX_OBL = 1000 # Maximum allowable outbound links MAX_SCORE = 100 # Maximum possible score for link dilution
# Calculate the link dilution score
if obl_count <= MAX_OBL:
link_dilution_score = (1 – (obl_count / MAX_OBL)) * MAX_SCORE
else:
link_dilution_score = 0 # Penalise websites exceeding maximum outbound links
return link_dilution_score
# Example usage:
website_obl_count = 500
link_dilution_score = calculate_link_dilution(website_obl_count)
print(“Link Dilution Score:”, link_dilution_score)
Explanation:
- The
calculate_link_dilutionfunction takes the number of outbound links (obl_count) as input and returns the calculated link dilution score. - It defines constants
MAX_OBLandMAX_SCORE, representing the maximum allowable outbound links and the maximum possible score for link dilution, respectively. - The link dilution score is calculated based on the ratio of the actual number of outbound links to the maximum allowable outbound links. If the website exceeds the maximum allowable outbound links, it receives a score of 0 to penalise excessive linking.
- The function returns the calculated link dilution score.
- In the example usage, we calculate the link dilution score for a website with 500 outbound links and print the result.
What Is SEO Link Juice?
“Link juice” otherwise known as “link equity” is a term commonly used in the field of search engine optimization (SEO) to describe the authority or value passed from one webpage to another through hyperlinks. Essentially, it refers to the ranking power or SEO value that a webpage can transfer to another webpage by linking to it.
When one webpage links to another, it effectively passes a portion of its own authority, relevance, and trustworthiness to the linked page. This transfer of authority is often referred to as “link juice.”
Link juice plays a crucial role in determining a webpage’s search engine ranking. Search engines like Google use algorithms that analyse the quantity and quality of inbound links (backlinks) to a webpage to assess its authority and relevance.
Pages with a higher quantity of quality backlinks, or those receiving link juice from reputable and relevant sources, are likely to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant queries. (A very basic explanation)
It’s important to note that not all links pass the same amount of link juice. It’s thought that factors such as the authority of the linking webpage, the relevance of the content, the placement of the link within the content, and the anchor text used in the hyperlink all influence the amount of link juice passed.
OBL – What Does It Mean?
OBL stands for “Outbound Links” or “Outbound Linking.” In the context of a website, OBL refers to the number of links on a particular webpage that direct users to other websites or webpages outside of the current website’s domain.
When someone talks about the OBL of a website, they’re typically referring to the number of outbound links present on a specific webpage or across the entire website
When a single page links out to multiple different websites, each outbound link dilutes the authority passed from the originating page. Let’s break down how this works:
- Link Dilution from a Single Page: Imagine a webpage as a container of authority, with each outbound link acting as a conduit through which this authority flows to the linked websites.
When a webpage links out to multiple destinations, the authority it passes through each outbound link diminishes. This is because the total authority of the page is divided among the outbound links. - Calculation of Link Dilution: If a single page links out to three different websites, each outbound link will carry a portion of the originating page’s authority. In this scenario, each outbound link will carry approximately 33% (1/3) of the originating page’s authority.
This means that the authority passed through each link is significantly reduced due to the presence of multiple outbound links. - Impact on SEO and Ranking: From an SEO perspective, this link dilution affects the perceived value of each outbound link in the eyes of search engines like Google.
Pages that link out to numerous websites may be seen as less authoritative sources of information compared to pages that are more selective in their outbound linking practices.
The Truth About Traffic, SEO Domain Authority And Links.
Traffic has no bearing on the amount of link juice or hyperlink dilution an outbound link has. It’s not a ranking factor when it comes to the power of a backlink/hyperlink:
While traffic volume may be an important metric for assessing a webpage’s popularity and visibility, it does not impact the amount of link juice or hyperlink dilution associated with outbound links.
Search engines like Google do not consider traffic volume as a ranking factor when evaluating the power of an open follow hyperlink. It’s essential to focus on factors such as authority, relevance, and context when analysing the impact of outbound links in SEO strategies.
Link Dilution Summary & Conclusion
Link dilution is a fundamental concept in SEO that directly impacts the authority and effectiveness of backlinks. SEO professionals must move beyond superficial metrics and consider factors like outbound link management when evaluating the true value of a backlink.
By understanding and leveraging the principles of link dilution, businesses can enhance their SEO strategies and achieve better SERP outcomes.
