Relationship & graph types

If domains are one building block of the backlinks ecosystem, the other is relationships. Two types are used to construct the graphs that underpin reports:

Each graph measure in the reports (e.g., distance and betweenness) is calculated using a graph created using one of these relationship types.

Backlinks referral relationship

A backlinks referral relationship exists when a domain has one or more links to another domain. In the illustration below, domain B has one or more links to domain A:

In the main visualisation of a report interactive (which shows a graph of backlinks referral relationships), most backlinks referral relationship are represented as a straight line, with an arrow to show which way the links flow.

It's possible that links will exist in both directions. In the illustration below, domain B has one or more links to domain A, and domain A has one or more links to domain B:

In the main visualisation of a report interactive, these backlinks referral relationships are represented as curved lines, with arrows to show which way the links flow. Domains with mutual relationships form mutual relationship cliques.

The graph of backlinks referral relationships

The main visualisation of a report interactive shows the graph of backlinks referral relationships. Domains are represented as nodes, and backlinks referral relationships as straight or curved lines, with arrows showing the way links flow:

Links relationship

A links relationship exists between two domains when there is at least ONE backlinks referral relationship (in either direction). In the illustration below, each pair of domains have backlinks referral relationships that qualify for a links relationship:

In visualisations of the graph of links relationships, link relationships are represented as straight lines WITHOUT an arrow (because a links relationship does not have an explicit 'direction'):

The graph of links relationships

The graph of links relationships is not shown in the report interactive, but if visualised it will appear as a simplified version of the graph of backlinks referral relationships. For example: