What is TF CF Know the Real SEO Metrics Behind Rankings

Index

1. Introduction to TF CF

2. What is Trust Flow in SEO

3. What is Citation Flow in SEO

4. Key Differences Between TF and CF

5. Why TF CF Ratio Matters in SEO

6. How to Check TF CF Using Free Tools

7. Real Life Example of TF CF Analysis

8. How to Improve Your Website TF CF Score

9. Final Thoughts

1. Introduction to TF CF
If you are in SEO or digital marketing, you’ve probably come across the term TF CF. But what is TF CF? In simple terms, it stands for Trust Flow and Citation Flow—two key SEO metrics developed by Majestic SEO. These metrics help you understand the quality and influence of your backlinks, which play a huge role in determining your website’s ranking on Google.

2. What is Trust Flow in SEO
Trust Flow (TF) is a metric that measures the quality of backlinks pointing to your website. The more trustworthy and authoritative the linking sites are, the higher your Trust Flow. For example, if a government (.gov) or an established news portal links to your site, your TF will likely increase. TF scores range from 0 to 100, and a score above 40 is considered very strong.

3. What is Citation Flow in SEO
Citation Flow (CF) gauges the quantity of backlinks without considering their quality. A high CF means your site has many backlinks, but they might not necessarily be from high-authority sources. If your website is mentioned in multiple blogs and forums, your CF may rise even if those links are from low-trust domains.

4. Key Differences Between TF and CF
While TF measures quality, CF is all about quantity. That’s why analyzing both together gives a more balanced view of your site’s backlink profile. A website with high CF but low TF might be spamming or receiving low-quality links.

5. Why TF CF Ratio Matters in SEO
The TF CF ratio is crucial. It helps assess the health of your backlink profile. Ideally, you want a TF/CF ratio of 0.5 or higher.

• A high ratio = strong trust signals

• A low ratio = risk of spammy links

For instance, a site with TF 40 and CF 60 has a ratio of 0.66, which is good. But a site with TF 10 and CF 70 has a ratio of 0.14, which signals a problem.

6. How to Check TF CF Using Free Tools
You can easily check TF and CF using tools like:

• Majestic SEO (free version available)

• SEO Review Tools

• Small SEO Tools

Just enter your domain and analyze the scores.

7. Real Life Example of TF CF Analysis
Let’s say you have two websites:

• Site A: TF 45 / CF 60 → Ratio: 0.75 (Very healthy)

• Site B: TF 12 / CF 65 → Ratio: 0.18 (Risky)

Even if Site B has more backlinks, Google is more likely to favor Site A because of the higher trust value. This is exactly why TF/CF is more than just a number—it’s an insight into your site’s SEO strength.

8. How to Improve Your Website TF CF Score
Here are some actionable tips to boost your TF CF score:

• Earn links from high-authority domains (.gov, .edu, reputed blogs)

• Disavow toxic links using Google Search Console

• Use guest posting on quality sites

• Fix broken links on your website

• Create high-quality shareable content

This helps not just increase your CF but also builds trust—raising your TF.

9. Final Thoughts
TF and CF are powerful SEO metrics that give real insights into your backlink strategy. If you’re ignoring them, you’re missing out on a key SEO advantage. For better rankings and credibility, aim to build quality backlinks and monitor your TF/CF ratio regularly.

Want to audit your website’s TF CF and improve your rankings? 👉 Click Here

7. Outbound Links

• Majestic SEO Tool

• SEO Review Tools – TF CF Checker

• Moz Guide to Link Metrics

• Google’s Guide to Link Schemes