If you’re working on improving your website’s SEO, one key factor to keep in mind is the ratio of Outbound Links (OBL) to Referring Domains (RD). This ratio helps search engines understand how you’re linking out compared to the number of sites linking back to you. So, how can this impact your rankings?
What does OBL and RD mean?
Outbound Links (OBL): These are the links you’re providing to other websites.
Referring Domains (RD): These are the unique websites linking back to your site.
Calculating the OBL to RD Ratio:
The formula is simple:
OBL to RD Ratio= ( OBL/RD )* 100
For example:
If your website has 1200 outbound links and 21,700 referring domains, the calculation would be:
1200/21700 * 100 = 5.53%
This shows that 5.53% of your referring domains are outbound links, which is within a healthy range.
What’s a Good Ratio?
5-15%: This is typically considered a good range. It means you’re receiving more backlinks than you’re linking out, helping your site maintain valuable link equity. This is especially beneficial for your site’s SEO ranking.
15-30%: This range can still be acceptable, especially if you’re linking to high-quality and relevant websites. It shows that you are contributing to the web ecosystem, but be mindful not to overdo it.
Above 30%: If your outbound links make up more than 30% of your total referring domains, it could negatively impact your SEO. Too many outbound links might suggest to search engines that your content is diluted or overly dependent on external sources, which can reduce your rankings.
Why Does This Matter?
Search engines value websites that demonstrate authority and trustworthiness. By managing your OBL to RD ratio, you’re indicating that your site is well-regarded by others (through backlinks) and that you’re linking out responsibly.
Key Takeaway:
A lower outbound link percentage (under 15%) generally shows a healthier SEO profile, as you’re maintaining more link equity on your site. Always ensure that any outbound links are relevant, high-quality, and add value to your content.
Interested in learning more about optimizing your SEO strategy? Let’s start the conversation!
