How to Find Out Who Links to Your Website: A Guide to Backlink Discovery
Backlinks—when other websites connect to yours—are one of the most important signals search engines like Google use to discover your site's authority and ranking. But how did you know who’s linking aimed at your web? Whether you're tracking your SEO progress, checking for spam links, or exploring potential partnerships, knowing your backlinks is important. This guide covers why backlinks matter, and who links to my site using free and paid tools. 🔍 Why It’s Important to Track Who Links to Your Website SEO Performance: Quality backlinks boost your search engine rankings. Reputation Monitoring: Know how your site is being referenced through whom. Partnership Opportunities: Reach out to sites linking to you personally for collaboration. Spam Detection: Identify harmful or toxic backlinks that may hurt your rankings. Content Strategy: Understand what content attracts links and replicate success. 🔧 Tools to Find Out Who Links to Your Website 1. Google Search Console (Free) Best for: Basic backlink checking Go to Google Search Console. Under the “Links” section, see: Top linking sites Top linked pages Anchor text used Pros: Completely free Direct data from Google Cons: Limited detail and metrics Doesn’t show competitor backlinks 2. Ahrefs (Paid, with Free Backlink Checker) Best for: Deep backlink analysis Use Ahrefs’ Free Backlink Checker or sign up for full features. Shows: Referring domains Anchor text Link type (dofollow/nofollow) Domain rating (DR) Pros: In-depth, real-time data Useful SEO metrics Easy to use Cons: Expensive for full access 3. SEMrush (Paid, Free Trial Available) Best for: Professional backlink audits Use the Backlink Analytics tool. Offers: Toxic backlink alerts New & lost links Link-building opportunities Pros: Detailed reporting SEO audit integration Cons: Premium pricing 4. Moz Link Explorer (Free Limited Use) Best for: Beginners and quick insights Visit Moz Link Explorer See: Inbound links Page authority Linking domains Pros: Clean interface Authority metrics included Cons: Limited daily queries without having a subscription 5. Ubersuggest (Free with Limited Use) Best for: New web owners and bloggers Offers backlink data and SEO suggestions View referring domains and link type Pros: Free version available Beginner-friendly Cons: Less comprehensive than Ahrefs or SEMrush Set up alerts: Use Google Alerts or tools like Mention to get notified whenever your brand or site is mentioned online. Disavow harmful links: If you spot spammy backlinks, consider disavowing them using Google’s Disavow Tool (only when they affect rankings). Track competitors: See who links to your competitors and reach out for similar backlinks. Knowing who links to your site is essential for managing your SEO strategy, building authority, and protecting your online reputation. Start with Google Search Console for any free overview, and graduate to tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush for professional insights.