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View Backlinks: A Complete Guide to Analyzing and Improving Your Link Profile

 

Backlinks remain one of the most important ranking factors for SEO in 2024. The number and quality of backlinks pointing to your site can directly impact how high you rank in search results. 

This guide will teach you all about backlinks - what they are, why they matter, and how to view, analyze, and build your own to improve rankings.

 

What Are Backlinks and Why Do They Matter?

A backlink is simply a link from one website to another. Also called "inbound links" or "incoming links", backlinks point to your website from external sites. Search engines like Google use backlinks as signals of popularity and authority to determine how high to rank pages in results.

More backlinks = more votes of confidence in your content. Higher-quality backlinks from trusted sites indicate greater authority.

Benefits of Backlinks:

• Higher search engine rankings - More backlinks correlate to better rankings
• Increased referral traffic - Backlinks drive visitors to your site
• Greater brand visibility - Exposure to new audiences via linking sites
• Higher domain authority - Backlinks boost your overall authority score

Simply put, more quality backlinks mean better SEO and more organic traffic. Tracking and managing your backlink profile is crucial for rankings.

 

How to Check Your Backlinks

You can’t optimize what you don’t measure. Here are some top backlink checker and analysis tools:

Free Backlink Checkers

1.  SEOToolsPark

SEOToolsPark Backlink checker shows your top linking sites and domains under the Links report. It offers a high-level snapshot of your overall backlink profile.

 

2.  Ahrefs Site Explorer

Ahrefs offers a free account that reveals your top 100 backlinks. Great starting point before upgrading to paid.

 

3.  OpenLinkProfiler

OpenLinkProfiler offers completely free backlink data with no limits on links shown. Provides wholesome backlink audit.

Paid Backlink Analysis Tools

1.  Ahrefs

The gold standard for comprehensive backlink analysis with nearly unlimited reporting on your link profile. Shows revoked links, toxic domains, anchor text breakdown, and much more for a complete audit.

2.  SEMrush

SEMrush also offers robust backlink tracking with full analytics, graphs, filters, export options, etc. Affordable plans with a 7-day free trial are available.

3.  Moz

Trusted tool for checking domain and page authority scores plus in-depth link metrics like equity to analyze the value of all backlinks pointing to the site.

4.  Majestic

Majestic boasts the world's largest link index for most data accuracy. Ideal for analyzing competitor links and tracking fresh links to your site.

 

Backlink Data to Analyze

When auditing your backlinks, look at key indicators like:

• Total backlinks
• Referring domains
• Domain ratings of linking sites
• Anchor text used in links
• Link velocity - the rate of new backlink acquisitions
• Geo locations of backlinks
• Link equity passed over each link

Compare metrics over time and against competitors to formulate link-building strategies.

 

How to Find Your Backlinks

Manually search for backlinks in a few ways:

• Site: search in Google Type site:yourdomain.com in Google to reveal pages linking to your site. Results are limited to 1,000 links.
• Link: search filter
• Add link: before URL to only show backlink results e.g. link:https://www.yoursite.com.
• Link intersection Use the Ahrefs link intersection tool to uncover common backlinks between domains.
• Analyze competitor links Study links pointing to competitors in your space to uncover link-building opportunities.

 

 

Improving Your Backlink Profile

Now that you know how to access and analyze your backlinks, here are key strategies to improve your link profile:

Increase Backlink Numbers

Simply aim to gain more links over time. Set monthly or quarterly goals for new links acquired.

Easy tactics include:

• Create link-worthy content - detailed guides, data studies, tools etc.
• Reach out to webmasters in your industry to request links
• Comment on relevant blogs with useful insights + link back to your content
• Contribute as a guest author to publications to earn byline links

Getting more links to more pages expands your site's footprint.

Diversify Backlink Types

Land different link types for a natural profile. Aim for balance across:

• Editorial Links - Earned by creating compelling content
• Sponsored Links - Paid posts, emails, social media, PPC etc.
• Forum Links - Contributing valuable advice with a site link in the signature
• Influencer Links - Securing links from industry leaders
• Widget/Resource Links - Links from tools, calculators, and graphics you create

Building diverse link types keeps your profile looking authentic.

Improve Anchor Text Distribution

Check the anchor text used in your links. Too much "over-optimization" sets off red flags for Google.

Shoot for varied, natural anchors including:

• Branded anchor text - Your brand name/trademarked terms
• Naked URLs - Just your brand.com link
• Descriptive Phrases - Keywords accurately depicting page content
• Generic terms - click here, read more, this website etc.

Balanced anchor texts pass more equity and appeal to Google.

Remove Toxic Links

Check your backlink profile routinely for sketchy links from "bad neighbourhoods" that could harm your site. Watch for patterns of links from:

• Spam sites
• Foreign link farms
• Irrelevant sites
• Pages with thin content

Use the disavow tool to inform Google of links you want to be ignored. Ongoing link cleanup protects your reputation.

 

Key Backlink FAQs

Q1: What’s the average number of backlinks?

A: Industry averages:

• All sectors: 2,000+ backlinks
• eCommerce sites: 5,000+ backlinks
• Content sites: 15,000+ backlinks
• Older, established sites: 35,000+ backlinks

Shoot to exceed your respective vertical average.

Q2: What is the optimal number of backlinks for SEO?

A: There is no universal ideal number. More quality backlinks are always better. Build over time at a natural pace. 100+ new links per month is a reasonable goal.

Q3: How many backlinks do you need to rank on Google?

A: While no absolute threshold exists, these backlink ballparks impact local pack rankings:

• Top 3 local pack spots: 600+ referring domains
• Page 1 ranking: 800+ referring domains
• Top 3 organic spots: 2,000+ referring domains

Note, correlation does not equal causation - backlinks alone don't guarantee top rankings but they help!

Q4: What is a healthy link profile?

A: A healthy link profile has:

• Total backlinks in line with niche averages
• The majority of follow-links from high Domain & Page authority sites
• Diverse link types like editorial, web 2.0, citations, etc.
• Minimal sketchy or manipulative links
• Positive link growth trajectory over time

Q5: Does link quality or quantity matter more?

A: Quality and quantity are both crucial. Strive for the optimal balance:

• Quality: Links from authoritative industry sources
• Quantity: A higher overall number boosts rankings

Too many poor links can diminish quality. Too few quality links limit growth. Blend volume and legitimacy.

 

Conclusion:

Backlinks remain crucial for achieving higher search engine rankings by demonstrating popularity and authority. Learn how to monitor important backlink data through free and paid tools. Analyze your link profile routinely to surface issues and opportunities. 

Employ tactical link-building strategies over time to boost rankings - increasing total links, diversifying sources, and removing risky backlinks. With an optimized backlink profile, your site will climb closer to the coveted page 1 in SERPs!