Ever felt the rush of a successful link-building campaign? It’s a great feeling, but have you ever wondered if you’re moving too fast? Building links too quickly can be a bit dodgy for your site’s health in Google’s eyes, making your efforts look unnatural.
This is where understanding link velocity in SEO becomes crucial. It’s all about the pace at which you get backlinks, and getting it wrong can look spammy. This guide will show you how to find that sweet spot, helping you build links effectively without raising any red flags with search engines.
What Is Link Velocity In SEO?
When it comes to improving your website’s rankings on Google, backlinks still play a major role. But it’s not just about how many links you’ve got pointing to your site—it’s also about how quickly you’re getting them. This is where link velocity in SEO comes into play.
Link velocity refers to the speed or rate at which your website acquires backlinks over a specific period of time. Think of it as your link-building momentum. Are you gaining 10 links a week? 50 a month? More importantly—does that pace look natural?
Search engines like Google use link velocity as a signal to assess the credibility and growth pattern of your website. If your site suddenly gains a large number of backlinks overnight—especially from questionable sources—it could raise red flags.
On the flip side, if your backlink profile grows steadily and organically over time, it sends a positive trust signal to Google’s algorithm.
Let’s put it into perspective. Imagine launching a brand-new site, and within a week, you somehow get 500 backlinks from unrelated domains.
That’s not typical behaviour, and Google might suspect black-hat link schemes or artificial manipulation. This could result in your rankings dropping or, in worse cases, your site being penalised.
On the other hand, a healthy link velocity—one that aligns with your site’s age, niche, and level of authority—is generally seen as a sign of natural growth. If your content is genuinely helpful and people are linking to it over time, you’re in the safe zone.
How To Calculate Link Velocity And Interpret The Results
First things first, when we talk about link velocity, the most important metric to track isn’t the total number of backlinks, but the number of unique referring domains.
Why? Because getting 100 links from a single website is very different from getting one link each from 100 different websites. The second scenario shows much broader appeal and authority.
So, here’s the simple formula to work out your average monthly velocity:
(Current Number of Referring Domains – Number of Referring Domains X Months Ago) / X Months = Your Average Monthly Velocity
For example, if you have 150 referring domains today, and three months ago you had 120:
(150 – 120) / 3 = 10 new referring domains per month.
That’s it! Your average link velocity for the last quarter is 10.
While you can track this manually in a spreadsheet, SEO tools like Ahrefs or Semrush make this incredibly easy. They present this data in clear graphs, showing your growth over time without you needing to touch a calculator.
Interpreting the Results: What Does It All Mean?
Having a number like “10 new domains per month” is a good start, but it’s meaningless on its own. Is 10 good? Is it too slow? Is it dangerously fast?
The only way to know is to benchmark against your competition.
Think of it like selling chicken rice. If you sell 50 plates a day, you might think you’re doing well. But if the popular stall next to you is selling 500, it puts your 50 into perspective.
You need to analyse the link velocity of the top 3-5 businesses that are ranking on Google for the services or products you offer in Singapore. This gives you a realistic benchmark for what Google considers normal in your specific industry.
Once you have that context, here’s how to interpret what you see:
- A Healthy Result Looks Like… Steady Growth. When you look at your referring domains graph over the last year, you want to see a gentle, consistent upward slope.
It might have some flat bits (plateaus) and small bumps, but the overall trend is a steady climb. This tells Google that you are earning your authority legitimately over time. It’s the sign of a healthy, trustworthy business.
- A Risky Result Looks Like… A Rollercoaster. This is a graph with sudden, vertical spikes that look like a skyscraper, followed by long, flat periods or even sharp drops. A massive, unexplained spike suggests you’ve done something unnatural to get links.
Unless you can point to a major press feature or a viral campaign that caused it, this pattern is a significant red flag for Google and could put your rankings at risk.
7 Ways On How To Measure Your Link Velocity In SEO
Keeping an eye on your link velocity helps you stay ahead in SEO—whether you’re running things in-house or working with a digital agency. By measuring how fast your site is gaining (or losing) backlinks, you’ll get a clearer picture of whether your SEO strategy is working… or if it needs a bit of fine-tuning.
Below are seven practical and beginner-friendly ways to track your link growth and make sure you’re not setting off any red flags with Google.
1. Analyse The Long-Term Historical Growth Graph
This is your starting point and the most important view you have. Think of it like looking at a chart of the Singapore stock market over the last ten years – it tells you the overall story and shows the long-term trend, smoothing out the little daily bumps. In SEO, your Referring Domains graph is that chart.
When you plug your website into a tool like Ahrefs, the first thing you should look at is this graph set to “All time.”
- What you want to see: A nice, steady upward climb. It doesn’t have to be a perfect 45-degree angle, and it’s completely normal to have flat periods (plateaus) where growth slows.
But the overall picture should be one of consistent, gradual growth. This tells Google that your site is earning its authority naturally over time.
- What you want to avoid: A graph that looks like an ECG during a heart attack – full of sharp, unnatural vertical spikes followed by long flatlines.
A sudden spike isn’t always bad if it’s justified (like a major news feature), but if it comes out of nowhere, it looks suspicious. This historical view is your first and best clue as to whether your link profile looks natural.
2. Establish A Competitive Baseline
Measuring your own link velocity in a vacuum is pointless. Knowing you got 10 new links last month means nothing until you know how many your competitors got. You need context, and the best context comes from those who are already winning on Google.
Don’t measure in isolation. You need to compare your link velocity to your direct competitors in the Singapore market to understand what’s considered “normal” or safe for your industry.
- How to do it:
- Identify the top 3-5 businesses that consistently appear on the first page of Google for your most important keywords. These are your real competitors.
- One by one, analyse their referring domains graph over the past year.
- Calculate their average monthly gain in new referring domains. This gives you a realistic benchmark. If your top competitors are gaining around 15-20 new domains a month, then aiming for 100 is probably too aggressive. But if they are gaining 50, then your target of 10 might be too slow.
This process gives you a “safe” velocity range to aim for and helps you set realistic campaign goals that won’t make you stand out for the wrong reasons.
3. Monitor Your Net Velocity (New vs. Lost Domains)
Gaining new links is only half the battle. Websites get shut down, pages get deleted, and webmasters change links. This is a natural process called “link rot.” That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your net velocity – the balance between the new domains you gain and the old ones you lose.
Think of it like trying to fill a bucket with a few small holes in it. You need to pour water in faster than it’s leaking out just to make progress.
- Positive Net Velocity: This is the goal. It means you are gaining more referring domains than you are losing each month. Your bucket is filling up, and your site’s authority is growing.
- Negative Net Velocity: This is a warning sign. It means you are losing links faster than you are earning new ones. Your authority might be slowly eroding. It could mean your content is becoming outdated, or you simply aren’t doing enough to attract new links.
SEO tools have a specific “New & Lost” domains report. Checking this monthly gives you a true picture of your progress. A consistent negative trend is a clear signal that you need to step up your content creation and promotion efforts.
4. Drill Down To Page-Level Velocity
Looking at your entire website’s link growth is essential, but sometimes you need to zoom in and put a specific page under the microscope.
Analysing the link velocity for a single page is like a retail manager checking the sales performance of one specific product instead of the whole shop. It gives you incredibly precise insights.
This is particularly useful when you’ve launched a targeted link-building campaign for a crucial page, like a new service offering or a key product page. By pasting that specific page’s URL into a tool like Ahrefs (instead of your main domain), you can see a dedicated growth graph just for that page.
- Why this is useful: It tells you exactly how effective your promotional efforts are. If you see a steady increase in referring domains to that specific page after your campaign starts, you know your strategy is working.
It also helps you identify your “hidden gems” – pages that are attracting links all on their own with zero promotion. These are your most valuable content assets, and you should find out why they’re so popular.
5. Investigate Velocity Spikes
Seeing a sudden, sharp jump in your backlinks graph can be exciting, but it’s a moment that requires immediate investigation.
Think of it like getting an unexpected and large deposit into your bank account – your first reaction shouldn’t be to celebrate, but to check where the money came from. Is it a legitimate bonus, or a bank error?
A spike in links can either be a sign of a massive SEO win or a dangerous negative SEO attack. You must find out which it is.
- How to investigate:
- Pinpoint the exact date of the spike on your velocity graph.
- Go to the backlinks report in your SEO tool and filter it to show only the links acquired on or around that date.
- Manually review the linking websites. Ask yourself: “Is this a website I’d be proud to be featured on?”
A good spike will come from recognisable news outlets, authoritative industry blogs, or government sites. A bad spike will be a flood of links from low-quality, spammy-looking sites from all over the world, often with strange, heavily optimised anchor text. If you see this, it’s a potential negative SEO attack that may require you to disavow the toxic links.
6. Calculate Your Recent Link Acquisition Rate
While the long-term historical graph tells you the overall story, your recent link acquisition rate is like looking at your car’s speedometer – it tells you your speed right now. This metric focuses on your short-term momentum, typically over the last 30 to 90 days.
This is arguably the most important Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for any active SEO campaign because it measures the direct impact of your current efforts.
- How to use it: You can either use the simple formula we discussed earlier on a shorter time frame or, more easily, just set the date range on your SEO tool’s graph to “Last 30 days.” This will show you exactly how many new referring domains you’ve gained in the past month.
- What it tells you: This number gives you immediate feedback. If your goal was to acquire 10 new links this month and you got 12, your strategy is working brilliantly. If you only got two, it’s a clear sign that your current approach needs a rethink.
7. Compare The Velocity Of Different Content Types
This is a more advanced tactic that can give you a real strategic advantage. Not all content is created equal when it comes to attracting links. By comparing the link velocity of different types of pages on your website, you can learn what your industry truly values.
Think of it like a restaurant owner comparing which menu items sell the fastest. Do customers love the chilli crab more than the black pepper crab? The data tells you what to promote more heavily.
- How to do it:
- Choose a few URLs that represent different content categories on your site. For example, a “how-to” guide, a detailed case study, a service landing page, and an original data report.
- Analyse the page-level velocity for each one.
- See how many new referring domains each has acquired over the last six months to a year.
You might discover that your data-driven reports attract links ten times faster than your standard blog posts. This is an incredibly powerful insight. It tells you exactly where to invest your content budget in the future to get the best possible return and build links more efficiently.
Key Strategies For A Healthy, Sustainable Link Velocity
Now that you’ve got a good handle on how to measure your link velocity, it’s time to talk about control. Building backlinks too quickly—or from the wrong sources—can trigger search engine penalties.
But if you focus on building links naturally and consistently, you’ll keep your SEO performance strong and stable over time.
Below are proven strategies that can help you maintain a healthy, sustainable link velocity, whether you’re doing SEO in-house or partnering with an agency in Singapore.
Prioritise Creating “Linkable Assets”
If you want people to link to your site without constantly begging for it, you need to give them a reason. That’s where linkable assets come in. These are pieces of content that are so useful, interesting, or valuable that others naturally want to reference them.
Examples of linkable assets include:
- Ultimate guides that comprehensively cover a topic
- Original research or data relevant to your industry
- Free tools or calculators that solve a specific problem
- Infographics or visual explainers that make complex ideas easy to understand
- Checklists or templates that people can download and use
For example, if you run a local business in Singapore, a downloadable checklist on how to register a company or apply for government grants could attract backlinks from local blogs and SME forums.
Investing time in creating evergreen, high-quality content pays off in the long run because these pages continue to earn backlinks well after they’re published.
Develop A Consistent Publishing Cadence
Search engines (and your readers) love consistency. Having a regular publishing schedule helps build credibility, encourages return visits, and ensures that your website always has fresh content worth linking to.
Why it matters for link velocity:
- A steady stream of new content gives people more opportunities to link to you.
- Google sees consistent publishing as a sign that your site is active and trustworthy.
- It helps even out your link growth, reducing sudden spikes caused by one-off campaigns.
You don’t need to publish every day. Even a monthly or fortnightly cadence works well—as long as you stick to it. If you’re writing for a Singaporean audience, include local topics, trends, or case studies to boost relevance and increase your chances of local backlinks.
Diversify Your Link Building Tactics
If all your backlinks come from the same type of source—say, only guest posts or just business directories—that can look suspicious to Google. A diversified link profile is much more natural and robust.
Here are some link-building tactics to mix into your strategy:
- Guest blogging on reputable industry sites
- Digital PR campaigns that attract news coverage
- Local directories or business associations in Singapore
- Sponsorships or event collaborations
- Influencer partnerships or content mentions
- Link reclamation, where you ask websites to link to unlinked brand mentions
Think of your backlink profile like a healthy diet—you wouldn’t eat only rice every day, and you shouldn’t build links from only one source either. A good mix of dofollow and nofollow links, homepage and deep links, high DA and niche-relevant sites gives your profile a more authentic, algorithm-friendly look.
Pace Your Outreach And Link Placement
It’s tempting to blast out 100 outreach emails in a single day or buy several backlinks all at once—but this can create unnatural link spikes that may do more harm than good.
Instead, focus on controlled and intentional outreach. Here’s how:
- Plan your outreach in waves, not bursts. Space out your email campaigns weekly or biweekly.
- Limit your link placements per month, especially for new websites. A slow start is better than an abrupt rise.
- Keep records of what’s going live and when, so you can track your velocity in real time.
Remember, link building is a marathon, not a sprint. By pacing your efforts, you allow your link velocity to grow in a steady, trustworthy way—something search engines love to see.
This also gives you time to evaluate the quality of each link and adjust your strategy based on performance, rather than rushing just to hit arbitrary backlink targets.
Reclaim Your Unlinked Brand Mentions
Sometimes, people mention your business online without actually linking to your website. It could be in a blog post, a news article, or a social media write-up. These unlinked brand mentions are a goldmine for easy backlinks—because the hard part (getting noticed) is already done.
Here’s how to reclaim them:
- Use tools like Google Alerts, Ahrefs Content Explorer, or Mention to track where your brand name appears online.
- Check if the mention includes a hyperlink. If not, identify the website owner or editor.
- Send a polite and personalised email thanking them for the mention and kindly asking if they could link your brand name to your homepage or a relevant page.
Most people are happy to help, especially if the mention is positive. This method is particularly effective for local Singapore SMEs who might be featured in community blogs, business directories, or partner sites—but never thought to ask for the link.
Reclaiming mentions requires low effort and delivers high SEO value—especially when it comes from reputable sources you already have a relationship with.
Leverage Digital PR And Newsworthy Content
Want to earn high-authority backlinks from media outlets, industry blogs, or national news sites? Digital PR is your best friend.
Unlike traditional PR, which focuses on brand awareness, digital PR is all about creating stories or content pieces that are designed to earn backlinks.
What works well:
- Data-driven insights (e.g. original surveys or reports)
- Timely commentary on breaking industry news
- Local interest stories relevant to Singaporean businesses or communities
- Thought leadership pieces from your founder or team members
Once you’ve got something worth shouting about, send it to journalists, bloggers, or publishers who cover that niche. Platforms like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) or Muck Rack can help you connect with the right people.
Bonus tip: Tie your story to local events, regulations, or trends in Singapore—it increases the likelihood of being picked up by local media like The Straits Times, CNA, or Vulcan Post.
This approach doesn’t just improve link velocity—it also boosts your brand visibility and authority at the same time.
Focus On Evergreen Content
Evergreen content is content that remains relevant over time, rather than being tied to short-term trends or news cycles. Because of its ongoing usefulness, this kind of content tends to attract backlinks steadily and naturally over the long haul.
Examples include:
- How-to guides (e.g. “How to Register a Business in Singapore”)
- Resource lists (e.g. “Top Free Tools for Local SEO in 2025”)
- Industry glossaries (e.g. “Digital Marketing Terms Every SME Owner Should Know”)
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Checklists or downloadable templates
To make your evergreen content more linkable:
- Keep it updated regularly so it doesn’t go stale
- Include data, visuals, and internal links to improve usability
- Make sure it answers common questions people are searching for
This strategy not only supports healthy link velocity but also strengthens your site’s topical authority—a key factor in long-term SEO success.
Analyse And Replicate Competitors’ Best Links
If your competitors are outranking you in search, chances are they’ve earned some quality backlinks along the way. But here’s the good news—you can spy on those links and try to get your own versions.
Here’s how:
- Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz Link Explorer to enter a competitor’s domain.
- Go to their Backlink Profile and sort by referring domain quality or link type.
- Look for:
- Guest posts
- Listicles or round-ups
- Business mentions
- Resource pages
- Analyse what kind of content got them the link.
- Create something even more useful, updated, or visually appealing.
- Reach out to the site owner with a friendly email suggesting your resource as an additional or updated reference.
This tactic is known as the Skyscraper Technique, and it works well in competitive niches. It’s especially effective if you’re targeting Singapore-specific directories, blog reviews, or B2B comparison sites that cater to local audiences.
Over time, replicating and improving on your competitors’ backlink wins helps you build a more authoritative link profile—at a measured, sustainable pace.
Conclusion About Link Velocity In SEO
So, here’s the bottom line—link velocity in SEO isn’t just a fancy metric. It’s a signal search engines use to judge whether your site’s backlink growth looks natural or suspicious. When your links grow too fast—or come from all the wrong places—it can do more harm than good.
But with the right tools and a bit of patience, you can track your link velocity, benchmark against your competitors, and build links at a steady, sustainable pace.
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Don’t just build links. Build momentum. Let BestSEO help you do just that.
Frequently Asked Questions About Link Velocity In SEO
Is Link Velocity A Direct Google Ranking Factor?
No, Google hasn’t confirmed link velocity as a direct ranking factor. However, unnatural spikes in backlinks can trigger algorithmic filters or manual reviews.
Can Link Velocity Affect My Site’s Trustworthiness In Search Engines?
Yes, a sudden or suspicious change in link velocity may lead Google to question the legitimacy of your backlink profile, potentially affecting your site’s credibility.
Does Internal Linking Influence Link Velocity?
No, internal links are not considered in link velocity calculations. Link velocity only refers to the speed at which external (inbound) backlinks are acquired.
What’s The Difference Between Link Velocity And Link Growth Rate?
Link velocity measures the speed of backlink acquisition over time, while link growth rate typically refers to the percentage increase in total backlinks.
Should I Slow Down My Link-Building If I Notice A Spike?
Yes, if your link growth appears unnatural, it’s wise to slow down and reassess. Focus on earning links organically through high-quality content.
