Backlink checker for your site and your competitors
The Rankmetr backlink checker shows which websites link to a domain, which anchor text they use and how strong each linking domain is. The tool is in early access: leave your website and we will let you know when the free check opens.
Check backlinks of any website
The free backlink checker is in early access. Enter a domain and your work email, and we will tell you when it is ready.
What are backlinks and why they matter
A backlink is a link from another website to yours. Search engines treat links as signals of trust: a page that relevant, reputable sites link to tends to rank higher than a similar page nobody links to. Links also bring referral traffic and help search engines discover new pages.
Not all links count the same. A link from a strong, relevant domain in the text of an article is worth more than a link from a directory nobody visits. That is why a good backlink checker tool shows not only the number of links, but who links and how.
For SEO, quality backlinks from sites that cover the same topic as your content help rankings most. A backlink analysis helps you understand where those links come from and where to look for more.
What the backlink checker shows
- Referring domains: how many unique websites link to the domain, not just the total count of links.
- Backlinks list: each linking page with the URL it points to.
- Anchor text: the clickable words in each link and how natural the anchor profile looks.
- Dofollow and nofollow: which links pass authority and which are marked nofollow, sponsored or UGC.
- Domain authority: the strength score of each linking domain, so you can sort good links from weak ones.
- New and lost links: links gained and lost over time, to catch problems early.
How to analyze a backlink profile
Start with referring domains, not total links: one site with a thousand footer links is still one site. Then look at relevance and authority of the domains that link to you, and at the anchor text. A natural profile mixes brand names, plain URLs and descriptive phrases; dozens of exact-match keyword anchors look like link building done for search engines and can be a risk.
Toxic backlinks are links from spammy or irrelevant sites that exist only to pass links. Google ignores most of them, so a few bad links rarely hurt. A sudden wave of them, or links you paid for on low-quality sites, is worth reviewing.
What to do with the results
Check backlinks of competitors
See which domains link to competitors but not to you. These are your best outreach targets.
Control paid links
Check that links you paid for are still live and still dofollow.
Clean up risks
Spot spammy domains and odd anchor text before they turn into a problem.
Plan link building
Combine the gap with domain authority to pick sites worth the effort.
Free check versus regular link monitoring
Google Search Console shows a sample of links Google knows about, which is a good free start. A backlink checker tool adds competitor data, authority scores and history. In the platform, link analysis runs together with the SEO checker and rank tracking, and our team can build links for you as part of SEO services. Comparing tools? See our Semrush and Ahrefs alternative page.
FAQ
What is a backlink checker?
A backlink checker is a tool that lists the websites linking to a domain or page, with anchor text, link type and the strength of each linking domain.
How do I check my backlinks?
Start with the Links report in Google Search Console, then use a backlink checker to see the full list, anchor text, authority of linking domains and your competitors' links.
What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
Dofollow links pass authority to the page they point to. Nofollow, sponsored and UGC links tell search engines not to pass it, though Google may still use them as hints.
What is anchor text?
Anchor text is the clickable text of a link. It tells users and search engines what the linked page is about.
What are toxic backlinks?
They are links from spammy, hacked or irrelevant sites created only to manipulate rankings. Most are ignored by Google, but a large share of them or paid links on poor sites deserve a review.
Is there a free Google backlink checker?
Yes, Google Search Console shows links to your own verified site. It does not show competitors' links or authority scores.
Get early access to the backlink checker
Leave your website and work email. We will tell you when the free check opens.