Backlink Checker & Analysis Tools (Free and Paid)
Backlink checkers show who links to a site, how strong those links are, and how a profile changes over time. This guide compares the main free and paid tools, explains the metrics, and shows how to run a backlink audit, including how to spot toxic links and competitor opportunities.
Free backlink checkers
| Tool | What you get | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search Console | Your own site’s links as Google sees them | Your sites only; limited detail |
| Ahrefs Webmaster Tools | Full backlink data for verified sites | Your sites only |
| Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker | Top 100 links for any domain | Limited rows |
| Semrush (free account) | Limited backlink analytics | 10 requests/day |
| Moz Link Explorer (free) | DA, PA, top links | Limited queries |
| Small SEO Tools / Seobility | Basic link counts | Shallow data |
Paid backlink tools
| Tool | Strengths | From (USD/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Largest index, DR, link intersect, alerts | 129 |
| Semrush | Backlink audit, toxicity scores, gap analysis | 139 |
| Moz Pro | DA/PA, spam score | 49 |
| Majestic | Trust Flow / Citation Flow, historic data | 49 |
| SE Ranking | Affordable all-in-one | 65 |
Metrics explained
- Referring domains: unique sites linking to you (more important than total links)
- DR/DA: strength estimates
- Do-follow vs nofollow share
- Anchor text distribution
- Link growth and lost links
- Toxicity/spam scores: tool estimates, not Google verdicts
How to audit your backlinks
- Export all links from Search Console and one paid tool.
- Sort by referring domain; review the top and the obviously spammy.
- Check anchor text for over-optimisation.
- Identify lost links worth reclaiming.
- Disavow only clear spam attacks; Google ignores most junk.
- Compare with competitors using link-intersect reports to find targets.
Monitoring
Set alerts for new and lost links, check monthly, and verify placements you paid for stay live and indexed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free backlink checker?
Ahrefs Webmaster Tools for your own site; Search Console for Google’s view.
How do I check competitor backlinks?
Ahrefs, Semrush or Moz; free tiers show a sample.
How do I check if a backlink is indexed?
Search the linking page URL in Google, or use a tool’s index check.
Should I disavow bad links?
Only for clear manipulation or attacks; otherwise leave them.
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