Synonyms: Link juice Link authority Backlink value
Link equity (also known as “link juice”) is an SEO term that refers to the value or authority passed from one webpage to another through hyperlinks. When a page with strong authority links to another page, it transfers part of its credibility, helping the linked page improve its search engine ranking. Essentially, link equity is the way search engines like Google use links to determine the importance and relevance of web pages.
Key factors that affect link equity include:
- Authority of the Linking Page: Links from high-authority sites (such as reputable news outlets or popular blogs) tend to pass more value than links from less-known or low-quality sites.
- Relevance of the Link: If the linking page is relevant to the topic of the linked page, the link passes more equity.
- Follow vs. Nofollow Links: “Follow” links pass link equity, while “nofollow” links do not. However, nofollow links can still drive traffic and brand awareness, even if they don’t directly impact SEO.
- Number of Links on the Page: If a page links to many other sites, the amount of link equity passed to each individual link is diluted.
Link equity is important for building a strong SEO strategy, as it helps boost a site’s visibility and authority in search engine results. The more valuable links a webpage earns from credible sources, the better its chances of ranking higher.