As you probably already know, link building is the cornerstone of search engine optimization (SEO) success. In fact, the top-ranking page on Google typically has an average of 3.8 times more backlinks compared to pages two to 10, showing just how important these links are.

But reporting on link building? That’s where things get tricky.

Why? Because it’s not just about counting links. You need to track domain authority (DA), anchor text, referral traffic, keyword rankings, and more. And you need to do all this while proving ROI to stakeholders who may not speak SEO.

This guide explains the most important metrics to monitor in your link-building campaigns, why they matter, and how to measure them effectively.