Where is the keyword difficulty tool data sourced from?
-
I also use Market Samurai, and I've noticed what seem to be big discrepancies with the keyword data presented by this (data comes from Majestic SEO) and the Keyword Difficulty Tool.
To take just one example, I analyze the term "how to remove tea stains" In the Keyword Difficulty Tool, this returns the following:
Root Domain Linking Root Domains: 2,233
Page Linking Root Domains: 4
When I use Market Samurai, however, the data returned is:
RDD (Domains linking to this domain): 19,911
RDP (Domains linking to this page): 19
I thought that these two metrics were the same for both tools, but I've written them out in case someone sees a difference. As I say, Market Samurai data is sourced from Majestic SEO - a reputable SEO company - but I have no idea where the Keyword Difficulty Tool data is from, nor why these differences are so pronounced? Are they indeed the same metrics in both cases, or am I missing something?
Any insight would be much appreciated.
-
Ok, thanks. I get the overall point you're making, and will indeed focus more on link quality... I guess my gripe is that if the # of linking root domains (for example) are to be counted at ALL - even as a corollary ranking factor - then it would be really good to be sure of the accuracy of the data, which it's hard to be when Majestic, for example, presents such different numbers in each case.
-
Yes, there is a discrepancy between all indexes on link counts, even though everyone might agree on the definition. But this doesn't mean one is right and one is wrong.
Counting links is like counting cats in Schrödinger's box. It changes depending on how you look at it... even though we all agree on the definition of a cat.
Using the same definitions as you described above, if you were to look at Google's index you would arrive at a number higher than this, and using Bing's index perhaps a number somewhere in the middle.
For example, consider that 50% of the web disappears every year, which means around 4% of all the links on the Internet disappear every month. But what if your crawlers only visit those links every 60 days? (this is an extreme example)
Or the fact that 80% of the web is spam that shouldn't be crawled. Depending on your definition of spam/trust, different crawlers will crawl different websites and arrive at different link counts, even though they are using the exact same definition of a link.
The important thing to remember is this - raw link counts are hardly ever useful. What is important is finding the links that matter. That's why using metrics such as Domain and Page Authority become increasingly important. 10 links can be more important that 10 million links, if they are the right ones.
That said, metrics like # of linking root domains do play a significant role in corollary ranking factors.
-
Hi Cyrus,
Thanks for this. I understand that counting links accurately is hard work, but if I am take this correctly, the above metrics are identical for SEOMoz and Majestic, which is a real head-scratcher, since it would suggest an enormous discrepancy in the data being presented, for almost every keyword link I have tested this on. To take just one other (basically random) example: "how to remove rust stains"
8th down in the first SERP is:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/how-to-remove-rust-stains-from-stainless-steel-home-hacks-108429
Which returns either THIS data (Linkscape):
Root Linking Root Domains (total # of unique domains with backlinks pointing to this specific domain?): 15,471
Page Linking Root Domains (total # of unique domains with backlinks pointing to this page?): 91
Or this data (Majestic):
RDD (same definition as RLRD, above): 71, 152
RDP (same definition as for PLRD, above): 6
I encourage you to register for Majestic's services and try this out for yourself if this is news to you. In default of further knowledge of the specific methodologies used by these two different link-measuring tools, if one were otherwise to consider them both equal, I don't see how any use could be made of this data, since it is so vastly different in each case? I still can't help feeling that I'm missing something...
Thank you again for your input on this - it's much appreciated.
Best,
Zak
-
Daniel gave the correct answer, all SEOmoz link metrics come from the Linkscape index. This is the same data found in Open Site Explorer, the API, the MozBar, SEOmoz PRO platform and all other SEOmoz tools.
All indexes (including Google, Yahoo, and Linkscape) count links differently. The vast majority of links on the web are "junk" that quickly disappeer and count very little or none at all for SEO purposes, so a big part of the Linkscape Index is an iterative process of "cleaning" and verifying the links before the Index is published every few weeks.
This difficulty was highlighted by our friends at Majestic when they wrote a guest post for the SEOmoz blog on Why Counting Links is not So Easy.
Regarding the Keyword Difficulty Tool, link metrics are only one part of a larger formula for calculating difficulty. Because all queries use the same Linkscape data to calculate difficulty, the score is relative so changes in link counts generally don't become a factor.
-
Any linking data presented by SEOMoz will be from their own Linkscape Index. This data is also presented at opensiteexplorer.org. If you see any SEOMoz tool showing links, linking domains or anything related to link metrics, that data comes from their proprietary Linkscape Index.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Unsolved Is the Keyword Explorer tool down?
Hi, I was supposed to work with researching keywords today. After researching a few queries in the Keyword Explorer, it stopped retrieving keywords and shows the message, “Getting keyword suggestions failed. Please retry your search or refresh this page”. The issue has persisted for a few hours. Thanks in advance.
Moz Pro | | wp-annalv0 -
Is there a tool that can rank multiple results for a single keyword?
Hi all, I have searched the web for a tool that can tell me if more than 1 landing page is ranking for a single keyword. I have noticed sometimes that a single keyword query can trigger up to 3 landing pages within the 1st SERP. I found an old bookmarklet from Lunametrics that might do the trick using Search Console data, but the link is no longer working. Any other pointers, or can Moz do this as well? Thanks!
Moz Pro | | rodelmo40 -
How to Combine the Moz Keyword Difficulty Tool with Google Keyword Planner for LOCAL (city/town) Results
Hi there, I wish that Moz would show local (city/town) results in their Keyword Difficulty Tool. But they don't, so here's my question: I'm trying to rank for keywords "interior design" in a local geographic area in the US. When using Google KWP, I'm selecting all the towns I want to rank in, and searching against the keywords INTERIOR DESIGN. The search volume appears to be approx. 370 a month. What I'm not sure about is whether I should instead (or in addition to), be searching for INTERIOR DESIGN (CITY), and leaving the geographic selection as US. What is most accurate? OR...should I search for INTERIOR DESIGN (CITY) in Moz's Keyword tool? How do you guys do it?
Moz Pro | | lulu710 -
What is the Best Local Ranking Tool?
I'm trying to track down a tool that will provide localized rankings within Google Maps/Places, Yahoo Local, Bing Local as well as major local directories such as Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc. Additionally, I'm looking for the results to provide the address being displayed in the ranking. Any suggestions?
Moz Pro | | JonClark150 -
Is there a keyword suggestion tool available in the SEOMOZ suite of tools?
Is there a keyword suggestion tool available in the SEOMOZ suite of tools that is similar to semrush.com? semrush allows you to put in a URL and then will tell you what keywords you rank for. Looking for a good tool that is similar.
Moz Pro | | webestate0 -
Why does Linkscap API request hang while extracting data ?
Hi, I am using LinkScape API to get follow and nofollow links . I use cron to get data for each url of sitemap.xml. However while cron is running, the extraction of data hangs on some pages which i later need to delete manually for re starting the execution. Do anyone have any idea why this is happening ? How can i ignore such pages ?
Moz Pro | | Ravi_Pathak0 -
Seomoz research tools question for inbound links
What is the best seomoz tool and or indicator within a tool for checking on a link (directory or article site) to evaluate whether or not you would actaully want a link from them? Any way to see if google penalizes them for there tactics or if that can hurt me by them linking to me or whatever? I am at the beginning of a link building mission, but want to ensure that I do it methodically and correctly as possible based on the combines wisdom of this community. Thanks for your help, Steven
Moz Pro | | sfmatthews0 -
Can I see search volumes against my keywords?
I love the keyword tracker tool on SEO Moz. However I can't work out how to see search volumes for each keyword. So while I know how I am ranking for each keyword.....I have to open a separate spreadsheet to see the local Google Monthly search volumes and then cross-refer the two, which is clumsy and time-consuming. Is there a way to amalgamate the two? It seems like such a major flaw that i'm sure its there, I can't work it out. Thanks all, Dan
Moz Pro | | danfk0