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Free link velocity calculator
Turn a referring domain goal into a steady monthly plan and compare it with your past pace.
Get referring domain counts from Search Console or your backlink tool. Past pace is your average over the last 6 to 12 months.
Result
0New domains / month
0Per week
0vs past pace
| Month | New referring domains | Net total |
|---|
The free link velocity calculator runs in your browser, needs no sign-up and never sends what you type anywhere.
Quick answer
A link velocity calculator works out how many new referring domains you need per month to reach a target, adds links you will likely lose, and compares the pace with your history. Rule of thumb: stay within about 1.5 to 3 times your past monthly pace unless real news or content drives faster growth.
What is a link velocity calculator?
A link velocity calculator is a planning tool. New domains needed = (target minus current referring domains) + expected losses, where losses = running total x monthly loss rate. Monthly pace = total needed / months, split evenly or on a gradual ramp, and compared with your past monthly average.
How do you use the Link Velocity Calculator?
- Enter your current referring domains from Search Console or your backlink tool.
- Set a target, for example the median of pages ranking in the top 5 for your keyword.
- Choose the number of months and your past average of new domains per month.
- Add an expected monthly loss rate, often 1 to 3%, and choose flat or ramped pacing.
- Use the monthly table as your outreach target and review it each month.
What is a safe link velocity?
There is no official safe number, because Google evaluates how links are earned, not a speed limit. As a rule of thumb, growth within about 1.5 to 3 times your past monthly pace looks normal for most sites. Faster growth is fine when it comes from real news, viral content or PR.
Can building links too fast hurt my site?
Fast growth alone is not a violation, but a sudden spike of paid, exchanged or automated links is a common pattern of link spam. Google lists buying links, excessive link exchanges and automated link creation in its spam policies. Earned links from coverage are not a problem.
How many backlinks should I build per month?
Most small business sites do well with roughly 4 to 15 new referring domains a month. The right number depends on the gap to your competitors and the time you have. Use this calculator with a realistic target and timeline rather than a fixed number.
Quick reference
| Site stage | Typical new referring domains per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New site (under 6 months) | 2 to 8 | Start with citations, partners and outreach |
| Growing small business | 5 to 15 | Steady guest posts and resource links |
| Established site | 15 to 50 | Content and PR earn links on their own |
| Major brand or news site | 50+ | Coverage drives most new links |
Worked example
Example
Example: 120 referring domains now, a target of 200 in 8 months, 6 per month in the past and 2% monthly loss. The gap is 80 and expected losses are about 25, so you need about 105 new domains, roughly 13.1 a month, which is about 2.2x your past pace.
Frequently asked questions
What is link velocity?
Link velocity is the rate at which a site gains new backlinks or referring domains over time, usually measured per month. It is an SEO industry concept for planning and spotting unusual spikes. Google has not published it as a ranking factor.
Why count referring domains instead of backlinks?
One site can add hundreds of links through a sidebar or footer, which inflates backlink counts. Referring domains count each linking site once, so they show how many separate sites chose to link to you and give a steadier planning number.
Why include lost links in the plan?
Sites delete posts, change links and expire, so every profile loses some referring domains each month. If you ignore losses you will fall short of your target. A 1 to 3% monthly loss rate is a common estimate for planning.
How do I choose a target number of referring domains?
Look at the pages ranking in the top 5 for your main keyword and note their referring domains. Use the median as a target, not the highest number, and remember that content quality and relevance matter as much as link counts.
Is a ramped plan better than a flat one?
A ramp starts lower and grows, which fits most campaigns because outreach lists, content and relationships take time to build. A flat pace is simpler to manage. Both reach the same total, so pick the one your team can sustain.
Does this calculator store my data?
No. All math runs in your browser with plain JavaScript. Your referring domain numbers are not sent anywhere, saved or tracked, and refreshing the page resets the example values.
Sources
Facts checked against these official pages. Read how I check facts in my editorial policy.
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