SEO Quake
A free browser extension that overlays SEO metrics on search results and web pages for quick competitive analysis and page-level audits.
If you have ever confused LD with link density or treated its metrics as ranking signals, you already know the tool is diagnostic, not decisive.
Key points
- Use LD (Linking Domains) to gauge link profile diversity, not total link count.
- Cross-check SEOquake metrics with a dedicated backlink tool before making link-building decisions.
- Treat the SERP overlay as a diagnostic snapshot, not a ranking guarantee.
- Ignore any third-party article that calls LD 'Link Density' — it is Linking Domains.
- Update the extension regularly to avoid interface changes that break your workflow.
The same page, two different LD counts
An SEO analyst checks a competitor's blog post using SEOquake. The SERP overlay shows LD: 45, meaning 45 unique domains link to that page. But a dedicated backlink tool reveals only 38 referring domains because some links are from the same domain. The analyst uses the SEOquake number as a quick indicator, then cross-checks with the deeper tool before building a link strategy. This saves time but avoids the trap of treating the extension's data as definitive.
Three metrics you must interpret correctly
- LD (Linking Domains) Shows the number of unique domains linking to a page. This is similar to referring domains in other tools. Do not confuse it with total links or link density.
- L (Total Links) Counts every backlink pointing to the page, including multiple links from the same domain. Use it to see link volume, but remember it inflates with internal links.
- SERP overlay Displays metrics like Google PageRank, Alexa rank, and keyword density directly on search results. Useful for quick competitor comparison, but not a ranking factor.
Four ways it goes wrong
- Confusing LD with density Many online sources incorrectly label LD as Link Density, which is the most common mistake. Always verify the current SEOquake documentation to avoid misinterpreting the metric.
- Treating metrics as ranking signals SEOquake shows diagnostic data, not ranking factors. A high number of linking domains does not guarantee a top position in search results.
- Relying on one tool alone Use a dedicated backlink analyser or crawl tool to confirm what SEOquake suggests. Browser extensions have limited depth and can miss data.
- Ignoring extension updates Interface labels and available metrics change with updates. What you see today may differ next month, so check the official help page regularly.
Three things it does not do
- Replace a full backlink audit SEOquake gives a quick snapshot of linking domains and total links, but it cannot replace a comprehensive backlink analysis from a dedicated tool.
- Tell you about free backlinks It shows link counts but does not distinguish between paid, earned, or free backlinks. You need a separate audit to assess link quality.
- Measure keyword difficulty Keyword difficulty is a separate metric that estimates ranking competition. SEOquake does not provide this; use a dedicated keyword research tool instead.
Common questions
What is LD in SEOquake?
LD stands for Linking Domains, the number of unique domains linking to a page. It is not Link Density.
Is SEOquake free?
Yes, SEOquake is a completely free browser extension. There is no paid version or subscription required. It is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Can I use SEOquake on mobile?
SEOquake is a browser extension, so it works on mobile browsers that support extensions, like Firefox for Android.
Sources
- SEOquake official browser extension listing Official Chrome Web Store page for SEOquake extension.
- SEOquake help/documentation Official SEOquake website with documentation and updates.