Link Equity
Link equity (also called link juice) is the value or authority passed from one page to another through hyperlinks, influencing the linked page's ability to rank.
§ 1 Definition
Link equity is the concept that links transfer ranking power between pages. When a high-authority page links to another page, some of its authority flows along that link. This equity can pass through multiple hops: a link from a homepage to a category page, then from that category page to a product page, distributes equity throughout the site. Internal linking is the primary mechanism for distributing link equity within your own domain.
§ 2 How Link Equity Flows
Equity is not a fixed resource. It depends on the linking page's own authority, the number of outbound links on that page (more links = less equity per link), and whether the link is dofollow. Nofollow links do not pass equity. Pages with no inbound links (orphans) have zero link equity to pass.
§ 3 Equity and Site Architecture
Smart site architecture maximizes equity flow. Keep your most equity-rich pages (homepage, high-ranking blog posts) linked to your most important conversion pages. A flat architecture (every page reachable in 3-4 clicks) ensures equity flows efficiently. Deeply buried pages receive minimal equity.
§ 4 Note
- Link equity is ranking power passed through hyperlinks
- Internal linking distributes equity within your site
- More outbound links on a page dilute equity per link
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Get in touchLink equity (also called link juice) is the value or authority passed from one page to another through hyperlinks, influencing the linked page's ability to rank.
Category: SEO
Author: Atomic Glue SEO & GEO Team
## Definition
Link equity is the concept that links transfer ranking power between pages. When a high-authority page links to another page, some of its authority flows along that link. This equity can pass through multiple hops: a link from a homepage to a category page, then from that category page to a product page, distributes equity throughout the site. [Internal linking](/glossary/internal-linking) is the primary mechanism for distributing link equity within your own domain.
## How Link Equity Flows
Equity is not a fixed resource. It depends on the linking page's own authority, the number of outbound links on that page (more links = less equity per link), and whether the link is [dofollow](/glossary/dofollow-vs-nofollow). Nofollow links do not pass equity. Pages with no inbound links (orphans) have zero link equity to pass.
## Equity and Site Architecture
Smart site architecture maximizes equity flow. Keep your most equity-rich pages (homepage, high-ranking blog posts) linked to your most important conversion pages. A flat architecture (every page reachable in 3-4 clicks) ensures equity flows efficiently. Deeply buried pages receive minimal equity.
## Note
Link equity is not a score Google exposes. You cannot see a page's exact equity value. But you can infer it: pages with many high-quality inbound links tend to rank better. That is equity working.
## Key takeaways
- Link equity is ranking power passed through hyperlinks
- Internal linking distributes equity within your site
- More outbound links on a page dilute equity per link
## Related entries
- [Backlink](atomicglue.co/glossary/backlink)
- [Dofollow vs Nofollow](atomicglue.co/glossary/dofollow-vs-nofollow)
- [Internal Linking](atomicglue.co/glossary/internal-linking)
- [PageRank](atomicglue.co/glossary/pagerank)
Last updated June 2026. Permalink: atomicglue.co/glossary/link-equity