What Are Average Backlink Metrics | How Does Optilinko Calculate Them?

When analyzing keyword competitiveness in modern SEO, backlinks still play a major role—but raw backlink numbers alone don’t tell the full story. That’s why Optilinko uses average backlink metrics to give SEO professionals a clearer, more realistic view of what it actually takes to rank.

If you’ve explored Optilinko’s keyword research or SERP analysis features, you’ve likely noticed average backlink data appearing alongside keywords. These metrics are designed to answer a simple but critical question:

How strong are the backlinks of pages already ranking on the first page, and can I realistically compete?

Instead of evaluating just one URL or relying on guesswork, Optilinko evaluates the entire top-ranking landscape and presents an averaged view of backlink strength.

Where You'll See Average Backlink Metrics in Optilinko

Average backlink metrics are integrated across several Optilinko features where competitive insight matters most, including:

• Keyword Research

• Ranked Keywords.

• Keywords for Categories

• Top Searches

By surfacing these metrics consistently, Optilinko helps users evaluate keyword difficulty before investing time, content, or link-building resources.

What Are Average Backlink Metrics?

Average backlink metrics represent the mean backlink profile of the top 10 organically ranking webpages for a given keyword.

Rather than showing backlink data for just one result, Optilinko analyzes all top-ranking URLs and calculates an average across multiple backlink indicators. This provides a balanced benchmark of SERP competition.

These metrics help SEO professionals:

• Understand backlink expectations for first-page rankings

• Compare keywords based on link-building difficulty

• Identify realistic ranking opportunities

• Avoid targeting keywords dominated by high-authority domains

In short, average backlink metrics show what “normal” looks like for ranking—not outliers.

Backlink Metrics Included in Optilinko

Optilinko provides a comprehensive set of backlink-related averages, each serving a specific strategic purpose.

1. Average Backlinks

This metric shows the average total number of backlinks pointing to the top 10 ranking pages.

It helps answer:

• How link-heavy is this SERP?

• Is ranking possible with limited backlinks?

2. Average Dofollow Links

Dofollow backlinks pass authority and influence rankings directly. This metric shows the average number of dofollow links among ranking pages.

It’s especially useful for:

• Estimating authority requirements

• Planning dofollow-focused link campaigns

3. Average Referring Pages

Referring pages represent how many individual pages are linking to ranking URLs.

This metric helps identify whether rankings depend on:

• A few strong links

• Or many smaller contextual links

4. Average Referring Domains

Referring domains measure domain-level diversity. A higher average usually means stronger trust signals.

This is significant for:

• Estimating backlink diversity

• Comparing brand-driven vs content-driven rankings

5. Average Referring Main Domains

This metric focuses on root domains, filtering subdomains to avoid inflated backlink counts.

It provides a clearer view of:

• True domain authority influence

• Genuine backlink reach

6. Average Page Rank (Authority Score)

Optilinko assigns authority-based ranking scores to pages based on backlink strength and quality signals.

This average rank helps determine:

• Whether authority dominates the SERP

• If content relevance alone can compete

7. Average Main Domain Rank

This metric reflects the authority strength of the root domains ranking in the top 10.

It’s especially helpful when:

• Competing against large brands

• Identifying SERPs dominated by enterprise-level sites

How Optilinko Calculates Average Backlink Metrics

Optilinko uses a transparent, arithmetic-based calculation process to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness.

Here’s how the calculation works:

1. Optilinko identifies the top 10 organically ranking webpages for a keyword

2. Backlink-related data is pulled individually for each URL

3. Each metric is collected independently

4. Optilinko calculates the arithmetic mean for every backlink metric

5. The final result reflects the true SERP-wide average—not skewed extremes

Example: How the Average Is Calculated

Let’s say three ranking pages have the following authority scores:

• Page A: 234

• Page B: 350

• Page C: 443

Optilinko calculates the average as:

(234 + 350 + 443) ÷ 3 = 342.33

This same arithmetic logic is applied across backlinks, referring domains, dofollow links, and authority scores.

Why Average Backlink Metrics Matter for SEO Strategy

Average backlink metrics are more practical than raw backlink counts because they:

• Prevent overestimating competition due to one powerful outlier

• Reveal achievable ranking thresholds

• Support smarter keyword prioritization

• Reduce wasted effort on unrealistic targets

Instead of asking, “Who ranks #1?”, Optilinko helps you ask the better question:

“What does it take to rank alongside them?”

How SEO Teams Use These Metrics in Practice

SEO professionals use Optilinko’s average backlink metrics to:

• Filter keywords based on backlink feasibility

• Build data-backed link-building roadmaps

• Align content investment with ranking probability

• Identify SERPs where quality content can outperform authority

For agencies and in-house teams, this means predictable SEO planning instead of trial and error.

Final Thoughts

Average backlink metrics in Optilinko are designed to simplify competitive analysis and support better decision-making. By averaging real backlink data from the top-ranking pages, Optilinko gives you a clear picture of what ranking truly requires—without overwhelming complexity.

If you want to rank smarter, allocate resources wisely, and avoid unrealistic SEO targets, average backlink metrics should be a core part of your strategy—and Optilinko makes them actionable.