Stay on Track: How to Monitor Your Backlinks Effectively
Hansjan Kamerling
Dec 4

How to track backlinks is a crucial part of successful SEO strategy. Here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
- Use tools like SE Ranking, Google Search Console, and Bing Webmaster Tools to get an overview of your backlinks.
- Employ advanced tools like Ahrefs or Moz for detailed analysis.
- Regularly monitor the ratios of dofollow vs. nofollow links and homepage vs. deep page links.
- Consistently track changes over time to spot trends and adjust your strategy.
Backlinks are a vital part of your SEO arsenal. They not only boost your website's visibility but also help establish its authority and relevance in the eyes of search engines. Monitoring your backlinks effectively can lead to improved rankings and increased traffic, which ultimately fuels business growth. However, in the world of SEO, keeping track of every single backlink can seem daunting. This article will guide you through efficient strategies to monitor backlinks and ensure they are supporting your SEO goals.
I'm Hansjan Kamerling, a product designer and SEO expert with years of experience in AI startups and marketing automation. Having worked on various SaaS platforms, I've helped scale businesses by focusing on efficient strategies for how to track backlinks and leveraging their full potential to empower your SEO game.
Book a Demo here to explore automated SEO solutions and take your backlink strategy to the next level.

Why Backlinks Matter
Backlinks are like votes of confidence from one website to another. In the complex world of SEO, they are a significant ranking factor that search engines use to determine the credibility and authority of your site. Let's break down why they matter so much.
Ranking Factors
Search engines like Google view backlinks as endorsements. When a reputable site links to your content, it signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and valuable. This is often referred to as "link juice." The more quality backlinks you have, the higher your chances of ranking for competitive keywords.

However, not all backlinks are created equal. Quality trumps quantity. A link from a high-authority site in your industry is more valuable than several links from lesser-known sites. Focus on acquiring topically relevant links that align with your content's subject matter.
Authority
Backlinks help establish your site as an authority in your niche. Think of them as a network of roads leading to your website. The more roads (backlinks) you have from reputable sources, the more easily people can find and trust your site.
High-quality backlinks can improve your brand's reputation by associating it with other respected brands. This can lead to more opportunities, such as collaborations with thought leaders and influencers in your field.
Referral Traffic
Backlinks are not just about SEO. They also drive referral traffic. When users click on a link to your site from another site, they are referred to as referral traffic. This type of traffic is often more targeted and likely to convert because the users are already interested in your content or products.
For example, if a popular blog in your industry links to your site, the readers of that blog might click the link and visit your site. This not only increases your site traffic but also improves brand visibility.
Monitoring and optimizing your backlinks is essential for maximizing both your SEO and referral traffic benefits. Use tools like Moz's Link Explorer or Ahrefs to analyze your backlinks and ensure they align with your SEO strategy.
To sum it up, backlinks are crucial for ranking, authority, and generating referral traffic. They are a cornerstone of any successful SEO strategy.
Book a Demo here to explore how Adaptify can automate and improve your backlink strategy.
How to Track Backlinks
Tracking your backlinks is crucial for maintaining a healthy SEO strategy. By knowing who links to your site, you can better understand your site's authority and find areas for improvement. Here’s how you can effectively track your backlinks using various tools:
Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool that provides valuable insights into your backlink profile. It’s a must-have for any site owner. Here's how to use it:
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Sign In and Steer: Log in to your Google Search Console account. On the left-hand menu, click on “Links.”
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Explore External Links: Under “External links,” you’ll find “Top linking sites.” This section shows domains linking back to your site, giving you a snapshot of your backlink landscape.
- Deep Dive: Click “More” to see detailed reports, like “Top linked pages” and “Top linking text.” This helps you understand which pages get the most links and the anchor texts used, which can provide insights into how your site is perceived.

Backlink Checker Tools
While Google Search Console is a great start, using specialized backlink checker tools can provide more detailed insights. Tools like Ahrefs Backlink Checker, SEMrush, and Moz offer comprehensive data on your backlinks.
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Ahrefs Backlink Checker: Even its free version provides the top 100 backlinks to any site. It’s a great way to see who’s linking to you and your competitors.
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SEMrush: Offers a robust backlink analytics tool that allows you to compare your backlink profile with competitors, identify gaps, and find opportunities for new links.
- Moz Link Explorer: This tool gives you a detailed view of your backlinks and helps you identify potentially harmful links that you might want to disavow.
Google Analytics
Google Analytics is not just for tracking website traffic; it can also help you understand your backlinks' impact.
- Referral Traffic: Go to the “Acquisition” tab and then “All Traffic.” Click on “Referrals” to see which websites are sending traffic to your site. This can give you a sense of how effective your backlinks are in driving traffic.
- Traffic Acquisition Report: This report provides insights into how visitors find your site, including through backlinks. It’s a useful way to measure the quality of traffic coming from different sources.
By combining these tools, you can get a comprehensive view of your backlink profile and use these insights to improve your SEO strategy. Regularly monitoring your backlinks ensures that you maintain a strong online presence and adjust your strategies as needed.
Book a Demo here to explore how Adaptify can automate and improve your backlink strategy.
Tools for Backlink Monitoring
Monitoring your backlinks is essential for a strong SEO strategy. Let's explore some of the best tools available to help you keep track of who links to your site and how you can use this information to boost your online presence.
Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a powerhouse in backlink monitoring. Known for having the second most active web crawler after Google, Ahrefs provides a comprehensive backlink database. With Ahrefs, you can:
- Explore Referring Domains: See the number of domains linking to your site and assess their quality using metrics like Domain Rating (DR).
- Track New and Lost Backlinks: Get updates on new links you gain and old ones you lose.
- Analyze Link Types: Check whether links are "dofollow" or "nofollow" to understand their impact on SEO.
Ahrefs' detailed reports and user-friendly interface make it a favorite among SEO professionals.
SEMrush
SEMrush offers a robust platform for SEO, and its backlink monitoring features are top-notch. With SEMrush, you can:
- Compare Backlink Profiles: See how your site's backlinks stack up against competitors.
- Identify Link Building Opportunities: Find gaps in your backlink profile and find new sites to target.
- Monitor Link Changes: Keep an eye on new and lost backlinks over time.
SEMrush's comprehensive analytics make it an excellent choice for detailed backlink monitoring.
Moz
Moz is well-regarded for its Link Explorer tool. It helps you understand the quality of your backlinks by providing:
- Page Authority and Domain Authority Metrics: Evaluate the strength of your backlinks.
- Spam Score: Identify potentially harmful links that could negatively impact your site's performance.
- Link Intersect Feature: Find sites linking to your competitors but not to you, highlighting new opportunities.
Moz's intuitive tools make backlink analysis straightforward and effective.
Linkody
Linkody is a cost-effective option for those looking to monitor backlinks without breaking the bank. It offers:
- Daily Reports: Receive updates on new and lost backlinks.
- Competitor Analysis: Track up to 10 competitors to identify new backlink opportunities.
- Anchor Text Distribution: Understand how anchor texts are used in your backlinks.
Linkody's simple interface and focused features make it a great option for small to medium-sized businesses.
Ubersuggest
Ubersuggest is a user-friendly tool that provides essential backlink insights. It offers:
- Basic Backlink Overview: Get a quick snapshot of your backlink profile.
- Link Growth Tracking: Monitor changes in your backlinks over time.
- Competitor Analysis: See where your competitors are getting their links.
Ubersuggest's affordability and ease of use make it a popular choice for beginners.
Each of these tools has its strengths, and the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. By leveraging these tools, you can maintain a healthy backlink profile and improve your overall SEO strategy.
Book a Demo here to explore how Adaptify can automate and improve your backlink strategy.
Conducting a Backlink Analysis
Understanding your backlink profile is crucial for boosting your site's SEO performance. Let's break down the key elements of a backlink analysis: quality vs. quantity, anchor text, and referring domains.
Quality vs. Quantity
When it comes to backlinks, quality trumps quantity. A few links from high-authority sites like WebMD or Healthline can be more beneficial than hundreds from low-quality sources. Why? High-quality backlinks pass more authority to your site, improving your search rankings.
To assess the quality of your backlinks, consider these factors:
- Domain Authority: Links from sites with high domain authority are more valuable.
- Relevance: Links from sites related to your niche carry more weight.
- Link Type: "Dofollow" links pass authority, while "nofollow" links do not, though they can still drive traffic.
A natural and diverse link profile is key. Avoid getting too many links too quickly, as this can appear suspicious to search engines.
Anchor Text
Anchor text is the clickable text in a hyperlink. It's important for search engines to understand what your page is about. However, using the same anchor text repeatedly can look spammy and harm your rankings.
Here’s how to manage your anchor text effectively:
- Variety: Use a mix of branded, exact match, and generic anchor texts.
- Relevance: Ensure the anchor text accurately reflects the content it links to.
- Avoid Over-Optimization: Don’t stuff keywords into your anchor text; keep it natural.
A diverse anchor text profile helps search engines understand the context of your content and boosts your SEO.
Referring Domains
Referring domains are sites that link to your website. Having a wide range of referring domains is a sign of a healthy backlink profile. It indicates that many different sources find your content valuable.
Here's what to focus on:
- Diversity: Aim for links from a variety of domains rather than multiple links from the same site.
- Authority: Prioritize links from high-authority sites in your industry.
- Growth: Steady growth in referring domains is better than sudden spikes, which can seem unnatural.
Tracking your referring domains helps you spot opportunities to expand your reach and improve your SEO.
By focusing on these elements, you can conduct a thorough backlink analysis and strengthen your site's position in search results.
Book a Demo here to see how Adaptify can streamline your backlink analysis and boost your SEO efforts.
How to Find Backlink Opportunities
Finding backlink opportunities is crucial for enhancing your site's authority and search rankings. Let's explore some effective strategies: competitor analysis, backlink gap, and link building strategies.
Competitor Analysis
Analyzing your competitors' backlinks can reveal valuable insights. Here's how to do it:
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Identify Competitors: Start by listing your top competitors. Use tools like Adaptify SEO to find those who rank for the same keywords as you.
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Analyze Backlinks: Look at where your competitors are getting their backlinks. Tools like Adaptify SEO's Link Explorer can help you see which sites link to them.
- Spot Opportunities: If a site links to multiple competitors but not you, it's a prime target. Reach out and pitch your content as a valuable resource.
Backlink Gap
The backlink gap is the difference between the backlinks your competitors have and those you don't. Identifying this gap can uncover new link-building opportunities.
- Use Tools: Tools like Adaptify SEO's Backlink Gap Tool can highlight domains linking to your competitors but not you.
- Evaluate Domains: Focus on high-authority domains that are relevant to your niche. These are your best prospects for outreach.
- Outreach: Contact these sites with personalized messages explaining why your content is worth linking to. Highlight unique insights or data that add value.
Link Building Strategies
Building backlinks requires a strategic approach. Here are some effective methods:
- Guest Blogging: Write articles for reputable sites in your industry. This can earn you valuable backlinks and expose your brand to a wider audience.
- Content Creation: Develop high-quality, shareable content. Infographics, original research, and comprehensive guides are more likely to attract links.
- Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on relevant sites and suggest your content as a replacement. This helps site owners fix their links while earning you a backlink.
- Collaborations: Partner with other brands or influencers for joint projects. These collaborations can lead to natural backlinking opportunities.
By leveraging these strategies, you can effectively find and secure valuable backlinks. Ready to boost your site's authority? Book a Demo here to see how Adaptify can streamline your link-building efforts.
Frequently Asked Questions about Backlink Tracking
How do I track my backlinks?
Tracking your backlinks is essential for understanding your site's link profile and improving your SEO strategy. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using Google Search Console. This free tool from Google provides a comprehensive view of your backlinks. To start, log in to your Google Search Console account, select your website, and steer to the "Links" section. Here, you'll find detailed reports on your external links, including the top linking sites and anchor text used.
Another great tool to consider is Google Analytics. Although its primary focus is on traffic data, it can still provide insights into your backlinks through referral traffic reports. By analyzing the Traffic Acquisition Report, you can see which websites are driving traffic to your site, giving you an indirect view of your backlinks.
Can Google Analytics track backlinks?
Yes, Google Analytics can help track backlinks, but it's not as direct as backlink-specific tools. The key is to focus on referral traffic. In Google Analytics, steer to the "Acquisition" tab, then select "All Traffic" and "Referrals." This report shows you the websites that are sending visitors to your site. While it doesn't explicitly list backlinks, it gives you a clear picture of which sites are contributing traffic, indicating potential backlinks.
The Traffic Acquisition Report is another valuable resource. It provides insights into how different channels, including referrals, contribute to your overall traffic. By understanding these patterns, you can identify which backlinks are most effective in driving visitors to your site.
How to check backlinks manually?
If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can manually check backlinks by examining the referral path and linking domains. Start by performing a simple Google search using the query
link:yourwebsite.com
to see some of the pages linking to your site. While this method is limited and doesn't show all backlinks, it can be a quick way to spot-check some links.Additionally, you can explore your website's server logs. These logs contain a history of page requests, including referrer data, which can help you find links you might not have known about. This method requires more technical knowledge but can be useful for finding hidden backlinks.
Ready to take control of your backlink strategy? Book a Demo here to explore how Adaptify can improve your backlink tracking efforts.
Conclusion
In SEO, staying on top of your backlink profile is crucial. Backlinks are not just about boosting your site's authority; they are a key driver of organic traffic and a vital component of your SEO strategy. But tracking and managing them can be a daunting task without the right tools and strategies.
That's where Adaptify SEO comes in. Our automated SEO solutions streamline the entire process, making it easier and more efficient to manage your backlinks. By leveraging AI, we reduce manual efforts and improve your SEO strategy, allowing you to focus on what really matters—growing your business.
With Adaptify, you can integrate powerful tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics to gain a comprehensive view of your backlinks. Our platform also supports popular SEO tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz, giving you the flexibility to choose the best resources for your needs.
Don't let the complexity of backlink tracking hold you back. Take the first step towards mastering your SEO strategy with our automated solutions. Book a Demo here to see how Adaptify can transform your approach to backlink monitoring and improve your site's performance.