The value of a backlink has long been a topic of debate in the SEO, PR, and media communities. Some professionals estimate it conservatively, others place a premium on it, and factors like dofollow vs. nofollow links further complicate the discussion.
At Featured, we believe in simplifying this complexity. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Link Value — a new metric that quantifies the value of your earned media placements using industry-standard benchmarks.
What is Link Value?
Link Value represents the estimated cost of securing a placement if it were obtained through methods like:
- Purchased through an agency under a monthly retainer or pay-per-placement model
- Paid directly to a publisher
- Acquired through other paid or earned methods
We calculate Link Value by analyzing:
- Industry average costs of obtaining placements
- The domain authority (DA) of the publication hosting the link
Each placement is assigned a monetary value based on these factors. Link Value then sums the total worth of all placements tied to an account, giving you a clear picture of how valuable your media exposure is.
Another way to think about it:
Link Value = How much money you’ve saved by earning placements through Featured instead of paying for them.
How to See Your Link Value
Viewing your Link Value is simple:
- Log in to your Featured account.
- Navigate to the Analytics page located under the Admin section in the left-hand sidebar.
There, you’ll find your total Link Value, along with other performance metrics.
Why Link Value Matters
Demonstrate ROI
Link Value helps you quantify the return on investment (ROI) from using Featured. Whether you’re an agency justifying client spend or a small business avoiding expensive retainers, this metric shows the financial benefit of your media efforts.
Support Pricing & Budget Decisions
For agencies, Link Value can help:
- Justify placement pricing to clients
- Demonstrate cost-effectiveness compared to traditional PR methods
For businesses, it highlights the real-world savings of securing media exposure through Featured.
Track Progress Over Time
Seeing your Link Value grow month over month is a tangible indicator of your brand’s increasing visibility and online authority.
Start Maximizing Your Link Value
Ready to see how much your earned media is worth? Log in to your Featured account and check your Link Value today.
Not a Featured user yet? Sign up now to start earning valuable placements and see just how much you can save—and gain—with Featured.
FAQs
Does Featured sell or buy link placements?
No, Featured does not sell or buy link placements.
Any links earned through Featured are entirely at the discretion of the publisher or journalist requesting insights. Publishers decide whether to include a link to an expert’s website and how to qualify that link when featuring them in an article. All linking decisions are solely up to the publication.
How can I earn backlinks through Featured?
One of the best ways to earn backlinks on Featured is by submitting answers on Featured’s questions page.
Start by creating an expert profile, ensuring your company name and URL are accurate and saved. Then, browse relevant questions and submit thoughtful, high-quality insights. If a publication selects your quote for their article, they may include a backlink to your company URL in your attribution line.
While backlinks are never guaranteed, providing valuable insights increases your chances of being featured.