Referring Domains, in Ahrefs’ 2025 metrics, count unique domains linking to a site, reflecting link diversity and SEO authority. More domains indicate stronger credibility. The synonym “Linking Domains” is equivalent, while “External Domains” is broader, including non-linking sites. For example, 600 referring domains make a domain valuable for PBNs. In Domain Hunter Gatherer (DHG), this metric identifies domains with diverse backlinks. In 2025, diverse referring domains align with E-E-A-T for penalty-free rankings. Compared to Referring Pages, it focuses on domain-level uniqueness. SEO professionals use Referring Domains to build robust link profiles, enhancing rankings. This metric is key for authoritative link-building. Expand your links with Domain Hunter Gatherer!
Referring Domains
Synonyms:
Linking Domains, External Domains