14 terms in this category. Plain-language definitions of the metrics, attributes, and patterns that matter to operators.
The visible, clickable text of a hyperlink — used by search engines as a relevance signal.
An inbound link from another website pointing to your site — the foundational unit of off-page SEO.
A hyperlink pointing to a URL that returns an error (typically 404), either inbound or outbound.
A backlink with no special attribute, which passes ranking signals normally to the target page.
An article written for and published on another website, typically including a contextual backlink to the author's site.
The practice of acquiring new backlinks to a website through outreach, content, PR, and partnerships.
The ranking value a hyperlink transfers from the source page to the target page.
Informal term for the ranking authority passed from one page to another through a hyperlink.
The rate at which a site acquires new backlinks over time — a pacing signal that search engines monitor.
A previously existing inbound link that has been removed, redirected away, or whose source page has been deleted.
A link attribute (rel="nofollow") telling search engines not to pass ranking credit through the link.
A network of websites controlled by a single operator and used to manipulate rankings by passing links to a target site.
A unique domain that links to your site — counted once regardless of how many individual backlinks it provides.
An inbound link from a low-quality, spammy, or manipulative source that may harm rather than help rankings.
Move the metrics next. Track Authority Score across every site you operate — daily, with full history.