You just ran a backlink checker tool on your competitor’s site. Five hundred backlinks appear. You scroll, you click, you get overwhelmed. Twenty minutes later, you have no idea which links matter. Sound familiar?
Here’s the truth: a backlink checker gives you data, not answers. If you don’t know what to look for, you’ll waste time chasing useless links—or worse, ignore a goldmine.
This guide gives you a five-step checklist to turn raw data into actionable decisions. No fluff.
Why This Matters
Not all backlinks are created equal. A link from a spammy directory can hurt you. A link from a relevant blog with 500 monthly visitors can help you rank.
If you don’t filter, you’ll end up chasing quantity, not quality. That’s how beginners waste hours and see zero results.
Step 1: Clarify Your Goal Before You Open the Tool
Why are you checking backlinks? Common reasons:
- Competitor analysis: Find where they get links so you can try the same sources.
- Your own site audit: See if you have toxic links that need disavowing.
- Outreach research: Find journalists or bloggers who link to similar content.
Write down your goal before you click “run.” It determines which columns you look at first.
Step 2: Check Domain Authority (or a Similar Metric) First
Most backlink checker tools show a domain rating or authority score. Sort by this metric descending.
Ignore any link from a site with a score below 20 (unless it’s highly relevant). These links rarely pass value.
Focus on sites with a score of 30 or higher. That’s where the real juice is.
Step 3: Look at the Link Context, Not Just the URL
A link from example.com/blog/seo-tips is not the same as a link from example.com/random-page. Click through to the actual page.
Ask yourself:
- Is the content relevant to your niche?
- Is the link placed naturally within the article?
- Is the page getting any traffic? (Some tools show estimated traffic.)
If the link is buried in a footer or sidebar, it’s worth less than an in-content link.
Step 4: Identify the Link Type (DoFollow vs. NoFollow)
Most tools have a column for this. DoFollow links pass link equity. NoFollow links do not (officially).
Don’t ignore NoFollow links entirely—they can still drive referral traffic—but prioritize DoFollow links for ranking purposes.
Filter for DoFollow only when you look at competitor backlinks for link building.
Step 5: Spot the Spam Signals
Watch out for:
- Links from sites with hundreds of outbound links on one page.
- Links from sites in a completely different language or country.
- Links from sites with no visible content (just ad scripts).
- Links from sites that look like link farms.
If something feels off, skip it. One bad link won’t kill you, but fifty will.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
- Checking only one competitor. Check at least three. You need a baseline.
- Ignoring anchor text. If every link says “click here,” that’s a red flag. Natural anchor text varies.
- Not exporting the data. Export to CSV. You can’t analyze 500 links in a browser window.
- Chasing old links. Focus on links built in the last six months. That shows active strategies.
Mini Scenario: How One Beginner Found a Valuable Link in Five Minutes
Maria runs a blog about plant-based recipes. She runs a backlink checker on a competitor who ranks for “vegan protein sources.”
She sorts by domain authority and sees a link from a university health blog (DA 65). The link is in a well-written article about plant-based diets. It’s a DoFollow link.
She notes the exact URL. She then creates a better recipe post on the same topic and reaches out to the same blog editor, mentioning her existing useful content.
Result: She gets a link from the same domain three weeks later. That link is our pick for a quality backlink in this scenario.
FAQ
Q: What should I check first when comparing backlink checker tool?
A: Start with the real use case, pricing, setup difficulty, limits, support quality, and whether the option matches your workflow instead of choosing only by brand name.
Q: Is backlink checker tool enough on its own?
A: Usually no. It should be evaluated together with your process, budget, risk level, and the other tools or accounts involved in the workflow.
Q: How do I avoid choosing the wrong option?
A: Use a short checklist, test on a small use case first, read the refund policy, and avoid tools or services that make unrealistic promises.
