Referring backlinks vs referring domains
Referring backlinks vs referring domains: link-level rows versus unique linking domains.
Backlinks reports separate links from domains so you do not confuse volume with diversity.
| View | Unit | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Referring backlinks | Individual links (URL → your page) | Anchor patterns, exact linking URLs, new/lost links |
| Referring domains | Unique linking hosts | Prospecting, domain quality, “how many sites link to us?” |
Many links from one domain still count as one referring domain. Start with domains for outreach lists; open backlinks when you need URL-level proof.