What are referring domains in SEO?

Referring domains are websites that link to your site through backlinks. Each unique website that provides at least one backlink is counted as a referring domain, regardless of how many links they give you.

How do referring domains differ from backlinks?

Backlinks are the individual links pointing to your site, while referring domains are the unique websites that provide those links. For example, five links from one website equal five backlinks but only one referring domain.

Why are referring domains important for Phoenix businesses?

Referring domains build local authority, increase trust, and help Phoenix businesses outrank competitors. A single link from a respected Arizona-based publication can strengthen your site’s SEO more than dozens of links from low-quality sites.

Do all referring domains have the same SEO value?

No. Links from high-authority, relevant websites like local news outlets or universities are much more valuable than links from spammy or low-quality directories.

How do search engines use referring domains?

Search engines view referring domains as signals of trust and credibility. The more high-quality referring domains you have, the more likely your site will rank higher in search results.

What’s a good number of referring domains for a Phoenix business?

There is no one-size-fits-all number. A Phoenix restaurant may need fewer referring domains than a Scottsdale law firm. The key is quality, diversity, and relevance rather than hitting a specific number.

Can referring domains drive direct traffic?

Yes. Links from local blogs, news outlets, or community guides often send real visitors directly to your website, creating referral traffic alongside SEO benefits.

What tools can help analyze referring domains?

Popular tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz allow you to track referring domains, evaluate their authority, and identify potential toxic domains to disavow.

How often should I check my referring domains?

For most businesses, quarterly reviews are sufficient. However, highly competitive industries in Phoenix may benefit from monthly audits.

What are toxic referring domains?

Toxic referring domains are spammy or irrelevant websites that can harm your SEO rankings. They may include link farms, gambling sites, or hacked domains.

How can I remove toxic referring domains?

You can disavow harmful links using Google Search Console. This tells Google to ignore those links so they don’t negatively affect your rankings.

Do paid backlinks count as referring domains?

While paid backlinks technically count, they violate Google’s guidelines. Buying links can result in penalties, making them risky for long-term SEO.

How can local Phoenix businesses earn high-quality referring domains?

Local businesses can earn quality referring domains by guest blogging for Phoenix publications, creating useful local guides, collaborating with influencers, and engaging in community partnerships.

Is content creation important for earning referring domains?

Yes. Publishing valuable, shareable content like local guides, research studies, or industry insights increases the likelihood that other websites will link to you.

What is broken link building?

Broken link building is the process of finding broken links on other sites and suggesting your content as a replacement. This is an effective way to earn new referring domains.

Do referring domains improve keyword rankings?

Yes. Referring domains contribute to higher domain authority, which often leads to better keyword rankings and increased visibility in search engines.

Can small businesses benefit from referring domains?

Absolutely. Even small businesses in Phoenix can see major benefits from building a diverse profile of high-quality referring domains, especially from local sources.

Do industry-specific referring domains matter?

Yes. Links from industry-specific publications or blogs carry more weight because they are contextually relevant to your business.

What metrics should I track for referring domains?

Track the number of referring domains, their diversity, authority score, referral traffic generated, and any improvements in search rankings.

What role do local referring domains play in SEO?

Local referring domains like Phoenix business journals, chambers of commerce, and community blogs help build strong regional authority and trust with both Google and potential customers.

Can referring domains help e-commerce websites?

Yes. For e-commerce sites, referring domains increase product visibility, drive targeted referral traffic, and strengthen overall domain authority for ranking competitive keywords.

Do nofollow links from referring domains have value?

Yes, even though they don’t directly pass SEO authority, nofollow links can still generate referral traffic and brand visibility.

How long does it take for referring domains to impact rankings?

SEO improvements from new referring domains may take several weeks to a few months to reflect in search rankings, depending on crawl frequency and competition.

Can social media sites count as referring domains?

Yes, when social media platforms link to your content, they technically count as referring domains, though their SEO impact is typically limited compared to editorial links.

What’s the difference between unique referring domains and total backlinks?

Unique referring domains measure the number of different websites linking to you, while total backlinks count every single link, even if they all come from the same site.

How do I diversify referring domains?

To diversify, aim for links from different industries, locations, and content types such as blogs, news sites, forums, and educational institutions.

Can too many low-quality referring domains hurt SEO?

Yes. Accumulating too many low-quality or spammy referring domains can trigger algorithmic penalties or reduce your site’s trustworthiness.

Do referring domains help with local map pack rankings?

Yes. High-quality local referring domains improve authority signals that Google uses when ranking businesses in the local map pack.

What industries in Phoenix benefit most from referring domains?

Industries like law firms, healthcare providers, restaurants, real estate, and home services in Phoenix often see the greatest impact from strong referring domain profiles.

What’s the best long-term strategy for building referring domains?

The best strategy involves consistently publishing valuable content, nurturing local partnerships, guest posting, and monitoring your backlink profile to ensure quality growth over time.

The Ultimate Guide to Referring Domains for SEO

Sep 8

Written By Jacob Fann

If you’re running a business in Phoenix—or in nearby areas like Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, or Glendale—you’ve probably heard the term “referring domains” thrown around in marketing conversations or SEO reports. For some, it sounds like just another digital buzzword. But for local businesses competing in Arizona’s fast-growing market, referring domains can be a game-changer. They’re one of the most powerful tools for boosting your online presence, building credibility, and outranking competitors in the Valley.

In this guide, we’ll break down what referring domains are, why they matter for businesses in Phoenix, and how you can use them to gain an edge—whether you’re a small business owner, a startup, or a seasoned marketer.

What Are Referring Domains?

A referring domain is any website that links to yours. When another site publishes a backlink to your content, that site becomes a referring domain.

How Referring Domains Work

Think of them as digital word-of-mouth recommendations. If a respected Phoenix business journal, local news outlet, or Arizona State University blog links to your site, search engines interpret that link as a signal of trust. The more high-quality referring domains you earn, the more authority your website gains in Google’s eyes.

Why Referring Domains Are Crucial for Phoenix Businesses

Whether you run a Scottsdale law firm, a Chandler HVAC company, or a Phoenix restaurant, referring domains can have a huge impact:

Authority Boost: Links from trusted Phoenix or Arizona-based sites (like the Phoenix Business Journal or Visit Phoenix) increase your domain authority.
Traffic Source: Local blogs, neighborhood guides, or tourism sites can drive real visitors directly to your website.
Trust Signals: Google sees backlinks from strong referring domains as proof your business is credible.
Competitive Edge: Businesses in Phoenix with diverse, authoritative referring domains consistently outrank competitors.

Referring Domains vs. Backlinks

They’re related, but not identical:

Backlinks: Individual links pointing to your site.
Referring Domains: The unique websites providing those links.

Example: If the Arizona Republic links to your site in five separate articles, that’s five backlinks but only one referring domain.

How to Analyze Referring Domains

Use SEO Tools – Platforms like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Moz can help you track referring domains. Look at metrics like authority score, traffic, and trustworthiness.
Focus on Quality – A single backlink from an Arizona State University resource can outweigh dozens from small, low-quality sites.
Identify Toxic Domains – Spammy links can harm your rankings. Regularly audit and disavow toxic domains.

Strategies to Attract High-Quality Referring Domains in Phoenix

Create Exceptional Content
Publish local guides (e.g., “Best Hiking Trails in Phoenix” or “Top Things to Do in Scottsdale”) that other sites will want to reference.
Guest Blogging
Contribute articles to local publications or Phoenix business blogs. Include a backlink in your bio or within the content.
Broken Link Building
Find broken local resource links (say, on a Chamber of Commerce or tourism site) and suggest your content as a replacement.
Collaborate with Influencers
Phoenix has a growing influencer scene. Partner with food bloggers, real estate influencers, or Arizona travel writers to gain high-quality backlinks.
Engage in Online Communities
Share insights in Valley business forums, LinkedIn groups, or Q&A sites. When appropriate, link to your own valuable content.

Measuring Success

Track your progress with these key metrics:

Number of Referring Domains – Growth means your strategy is working.
Diversity – Ensure links come from a variety of industries and sources across Phoenix and beyond.
Referral Traffic – Measure how much traffic local referring domains send your way.
Search Rankings – Monitor improvements in keyword positions tied to new links.

FAQs About Referring Domains

1. What’s a good number of referring domains for Phoenix businesses?
It depends on your industry. A Chandler roofing company may need fewer than a Scottsdale law firm. Focus on quality, not a set number.

2. Do all referring domains help equally?
No. A link from Visit Phoenix is more valuable than one from a low-quality directory site.

3. How do I find toxic referring domains?
Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs can flag spammy, irrelevant, or ad-heavy sites linking to you.

4. Can referring domains bring customers directly?
Yes—local blogs, news outlets, or community calendars can send highly qualified traffic.

5. How often should I review my referring domains?
Quarterly is a good rule of thumb, but Phoenix businesses in competitive niches may want to check monthly.

6. Are paid backlinks worth it?
No. Paid links can trigger Google penalties, hurting your Phoenix SEO.

7. How do I disavow harmful links?
Use Google Search Console’s disavow tool to flag toxic links and protect your site’s reputation.

Conclusion

For businesses across Phoenix and the Valley, referring domains are more than just an SEO term—they’re a cornerstone of digital success. They build authority, bring traffic, and help you stand out in one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the U.S.

By focusing on quality over quantity, publishing valuable content, and fostering local connections, you can build a strong backlink profile that fuels long-term growth. Whether you’re serving customers in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or Tempe, a robust referring domain strategy will help you rise above the competition and attract more business.