Definition
Link velocity is an indicator that measures the rate at which new backlinks are acquired by a website. A natural link profile is characterized by regular and gradual growth. A sudden increase in the number of links may be interpreted by Google as a manipulation signal (mass link purchase, spam campaign). Conversely, a sudden decrease may indicate a loss of relevance or link cleanup. SEO professionals monitor link velocity to ensure their link building campaigns maintain a natural pace and avoid triggering algorithmic filters like Google Penguin.
Key Points
- A steady acquisition rate is preferable to sudden spikes
- An abnormally high link velocity can trigger anti-spam filters
- Link velocity should be consistent with the site's size and reputation
Practical Examples
Natural growth
A site regularly acquires 10-20 new backlinks per month through quality content. This consistent link velocity is perceived as natural by Google.
Warning signal
A site that goes from 5 links/month to 500 links/month overnight triggers an alarm signal. Google may interpret this as an artificial link campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no universal number. The right link velocity depends on the site's size, industry, and reputation. The key is that the pace is steady and consistent with the site's activity. A new site with 100 links/day will be suspicious, but it is normal for a large media outlet.
Tools like Ahrefs, Majestic, or SEMrush show the evolution of backlinks and referring domains over time, allowing you to visualize link velocity as a graph.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07