Inbound links (also known as backlinks) are one of the most important ranking factors for your website in terms of search engine rankings and authority. Inbound links work like votes of trust from one website to another, indicating to search engines that your content is worth something.

But how do you check inbound links to your website? And which tools or methods are effective? Let’s review.

What Are Inbound Links?

Inbound links are hyperlinks to your website from other websites. For example, a blog links to an article you made, that is an inbound link for you.

They are important because:

• They show authority and trust to Google.
• They generate referral traffic.
• They can help your website rank better in search results.

Why Is It Important to Check Inbound Links?

Periodically checking your inbound links can help you:

• Know the difference between good and bad links – some backlinks can harm your site if they come from spammy or unrelated sites.
• Understand your SEO progress – if your link building efforts are working.
• Discover opportunities – see what content receives the most links so you can repeat that strategy.
• Monitor competitors – see who their backlinks are.

How to Check Inbound Links (Step-by-Step)

1. Using Google Search Console (Free)

One of the best free tools is Google Search Console, because it shows links that Google itself found.

• To access this, go to Search Console, then Links.
• Under Top linked pages you will see your pages with most inbound links.
• You could also check Top linking sites to see where your backlinks are coming from.

Best for: Beginners, free checks.
Limitations: Limited details; all backlinks don’t always show up.

2. SEO Tools (Paid + Free Trials)

Professional SEO tools give a more detailed look at your inbound links.

Here are some of the most popular:

• Ahrefs – probably the best at providing a full backlink profile, anchor text, spam score, etc.
• SEMrush – able to show new and lost backlinks vs backlinks, authority scores, competitor links vs yours.
• Moz Link Explorer – has Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA).
• Majestic – offers “Trust Flow” and “Citation Flow” around quality of backlinks.

Best for: Links analysis in-depth.
Limitations: Expensive to a small business.

3. Manual Methods

• Search your domain on Google using link:yourwebsite.com ( this is old and not really relevant anymore).
• Look at referral traffic in Google Analytics to see what is sending you visitors.

Comparison of Backlink Checking Tools

Tool	Cost	Strengths	Weaknesses	Best For
Google Search Console	Free	Official Google data	Limited insights	Beginners
Ahrefs	Paid ($99+/mo)	Very detailed, best backlink database	Expensive	SEO professionals
SEMrush	Paid ($120+/mo)	All-in-one SEO + backlink analysis	Pricey	Agencies & businesses
Moz Link Explorer	Paid ($99+/mo, free limited version)	DA/PA scores, easy interface	Smaller database than Ahrefs	Small businesses
Majestic	Paid ($49+/mo)	Trust Flow & Citation Flow	Complex interface	Link quality checks

Related Questions People Often Ask

1. How often do I need to check my inbound links?

Your inbound links should be checked at least once a month. Weekly checks are better if you’re managing an active campaign.

2. What makes an inbound link “good”?

An inbound link is good because:

• From a high-trust authority site.
• Relevant to your niche.
• Using natural anchor text.
• From a diverse range of sources.

Do bad inbound links affect my site?

Yes. Low-quality, spammy backlinks can lead to penalties, or worse, they can diminish your site’s trust. Bad backlinks can also be disavowed through Google Search Console.

Can I see the inbound links of my competitors?

Yes! Through platforms such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Moz you can analyze the backlinks of competitors! This can be a great way to discover potential new backlinks for your site.

Conclusion

Checking your inbound link profile is an important element of your SEO strategy and should be completed regularly. Start with the free profile from Google Search Console, then move on to a service like Ahrefs or SEMrush if you require more detail. Remember, it is not just the number of backlinks, but the quality and relevance of those backlinks!

Having a routine check-up on your backlink profile will allow you to remove any spam, find growth opportunities, and ultimately raise your rankings!

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