Who Links to My Site? How To Check Backlinks?
Introduction
Ever wondered how many backlinks your site really has—and why it matters?
In the world of SEO, backlinks are one of the most powerful ranking signals. A backlink is a vote of confidence from one site to another, signaling to search engines that your content is valuable and worth ranking. Understanding what type of backlinks you have, where they're coming from, and how they influence your SEO performance.
How Many Backlinks Does a Site Have?
This question might seem simple, but the answer is layered.
A website can have thousands—or even millions—of backlinks, but not all of them carry equal weight. Google and other search engines prioritize the quality, relevance, and authority of those backlinks over the sheer number.
So, when someone asks "how many backlinks does a site have?", what they're really asking is:
○ How many valuable backlinks point to this site?
○ Are these links helping or hurting SEO performance?
○ What does the backlink profile tell us about the site’s authority?
In short, while quantity gives you a basic metric, quality offers the real insights.
What Are Backlinks? A Quick Refresher
Backlinks, also known as inbound links, are links from one website to another. They are fundamental to SEO because they serve as endorsements of your content in the eyes of search engines.
Dofollow vs Nofollow
○ Dofollow links pass SEO value and are considered by search engines in ranking algorithms.
○ Nofollow links include a tag that tells search engines not to count the link as an endorsement.
Natural vs Unnatural Links
○ Natural backlinks come from organic mentions and shares.
○ Unnatural backlinks are acquired through manipulative means and can lead to penalties.
Context and Relevancy Matter
A backlink from a topically relevant site in your niche is far more valuable than a random one from an unrelated domain.
Why Backlink Quantity Alone Isn't Enough
Yes, it’s exciting to see a huge number of backlinks. But if those links come from spammy or irrelevant sources, they can do more harm than good.
Quality Trumps Quantity
A single backlink from a high-authority domain can have more SEO value than 100 links from low-quality blogs or directories.
What Are Toxic Backlinks?
Toxic backlinks come from suspicious or low-authority websites and can trigger Google penalties. These links are often part of link schemes, PBNs, or spammy directories. Tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Moz offer toxicity scores to help you identify and disavow harmful links.
How to Check the Number of Backlinks a Site Has
There are several reliable methods and tools available for checking how many backlinks point to a given website. Let’s explore both free and premium options.
Use Google Search Console (for your own site)
Google Search Console provides a free backlinks report for verified websites.
Steps:
1. Log into your GSC account.
2. Navigate to “Links” in the sidebar.
3. Review “Top linked pages,” “Top linking sites,” and “Top linking text.”
Pros:
○ Direct data from Google
○ Free
Cons:
○ Limited to your own site
○ Doesn't show competitor data
○ May miss some backlinks that other tools capture
Use a Backlink Checker Tool (for any site)
If you want deeper insights or want to analyze competitors, use a third-party backlink checker.
1. Ahrefs Backlink Checker
○ Shows total backlinks, referring domains, anchor text, and link types.
○ Offers a free version with limited results.
○ Known for one of the largest backlink databases.
2. SEMrush Backlink Analytics
○ Analyze domains or URLs.
○ Check link toxicity and authority scores.
○ Good for competitive benchmarking.
3. Moz Link Explorer
○ Provides metrics like Domain Authority and Spam Score.
○ Useful for tracking link-building efforts.
4. Ubersuggest
○ Offers basic backlink data with a freemium model.
○ Good for small businesses or beginners.
5. Majestic SEO
○ Known for its Trust Flow and Citation Flow metrics.
○ Offers a unique view of backlink trustworthiness.
Understanding a Backlink Profile
A backlink profile is the overall makeup of all the inbound links pointing to your site. A healthy profile shows diversity, trust, and relevance.
Key Metrics to Evaluate:
○ Domain Authority (DA): Predicts a domain’s ability to rank.
○ Referring Domains: The number of unique websites linking to you.
○ Anchor Text Distribution: The visible text used in backlinks; should be varied and natural.
○ Link Growth Over Time: Healthy profiles grow steadily—not in sudden spikes.
Example:
○ Site A: 5,000 backlinks from 200 domains
○ Site B: 1,000 backlinks from 900 domains
Site B likely has a stronger profile due to domain diversity.
Competitive Backlink Analysis
Analyzing your competitors’ backlinks gives you insight into what’s working in your niche—and what opportunities you might be missing.
Why It Matters
Identify linking domains you could reach out to.
Understand your competitor’s SEO strategy.
Find content formats that attract links.
How to Perform a Competitive Backlink Analysis:
1. Plug competitor URLs into Ahrefs or SEMrush.
2. Review their top linking domains.
3. Look for recurring themes: guest posts, roundups, directories, etc.
4. Build a list of prospects for your own outreach.
Best Practices for Building a Strong Backlink Profile
Acquiring backlinks isn’t just about luck—it’s about smart strategies and consistent effort.
1. Create Link-Worthy Content
Data studies
Original research
Infographics
Comprehensive guides
2. Outreach and Guest Posting
Reach out to relevant sites in your niche. Offer high-value guest posts in exchange for backlinks.
3. Leverage Unlinked Brand Mentions
Use tools like Mention or Ahrefs Alerts to find where your brand is mentioned without a link—and ask for one.
4. Broken Link Building Strategy
Find broken links on authority sites, create similar content, and pitch your link as a replacement.
Common Backlink Mistakes to Avoid
Even seasoned SEOs make these mistakes. Avoid them to maintain a healthy backlink profile.
○ Buying backlinks: Violates Google guidelines.
○ Over-optimized anchor text: Can look manipulative.
○ Using PBNs (Private Blog Networks): Risky and outdated.
○ Spamming directories: Low-quality and rarely indexed by Google.
○ Neglecting link velocity: A sudden spike in backlinks can trigger algorithmic red flags.
Tools to Continuously Monitor Your Backlinks
Backlinks aren’t a set-it-and-forget-it SEO element. They require ongoing tracking and refinement.
Monitor New & Lost Links
○ Use Ahrefs “New/Lost” links feature to track changes.
○ Set up alerts to get notified when new links appear.
Audit Monthly
○ Check for toxic or broken backlinks.
○ Disavow harmful links using Google’s disavow tool if needed.
Integrate with Other Platforms
○ Combine backlink data with Google Analytics and Search Console to assess traffic and engagement from backlinks.
Conclusion
Understanding how many backlinks your site has—and what they’re doing for your SEO—isn’t just a numbers game. It’s about knowing what kind of links you have, where they come from, and how they influence your rankings.
To recap:
○ Use trusted tools to analyze your backlink profile.
○ Focus on quality over quantity.
○ Avoid common pitfalls and stay updated with SEO best practices.
Whether you're just starting out or refining a mature strategy, backlinks are still one of the most influential factors in SEO success. So start analyzing today—and make every link count.
Learn More:
Guide to Link Building Strategies
SEO Audit Checklist
How to Improve Domain Authorit
