How to Find Competitors Backlinks: Step-by-Step Guide
Your competitors have already done most of your link building research for you. Every site that links to them is a potential link for you. All you have to do is find those links and replicate the ones you can get.
This guide walks you through exactly how to find competitors' backlinks using free methods and tools, then how to turn that data into actual links for your site.
Why Competitor Backlink Analysis Matters
Finding competitor backlinks is one of the highest-leverage link building activities available. Instead of guessing where to get links, you're working from a list of confirmed opportunities: sites that have already agreed to link in your niche. The research is already done for you.
What you learn from a competitor's link profile
A competitor's backlink data tells you which directories they're listed in, which blogs cover their industry, which resource pages recommend similar tools, and which journalists have written about them. Each of these is an opportunity you can pursue with a focused outreach effort.
Free Methods to Find Competitors Backlinks
How to check backlinks in Google search
Google's link: operator (e.g., link:competitor.com) shows some of the pages Google knows link to a domain. It's incomplete and no longer the most reliable method, but it gives you a quick starting point at zero cost. For more comprehensive data, Google Search Console for your own site is more reliable than the link: operator for competitors.
Using Google Search operators for link hunting
More useful than the link operator is searching for your competitor's brand name or URL in Google. Try:
"competitor.com" -site:competitor.com— finds pages mentioning their domain"competitor brand name" + "guest post"— finds their guest post placementsrelated:competitor.com— finds similar sites that likely link to the same sources
Using Google Search Console (for your own backlinks)
In Google Search Console, go to "Links" in the sidebar. You'll see your top linking sites, most linked pages, and anchor text. While this only shows your own links, you can cross-reference it with competitor data to see which sources you're missing.
Using Backlink Tools to Find Competitor Links
Using DailyBacklinks monitoring
Our backlink monitoring tool tracks your own link profile and new backlinks in real time. For competitor research, it helps you understand your own gaps: when you see a new link your competitor has that you don't, that's a direct signal of where to focus next.
Using Ahrefs or SEMrush
Enter any competitor domain into the "Site Explorer" (Ahrefs) or "Backlink Analytics" (SEMrush) to pull their full referring domain list. Sort by domain rating or authority to prioritize the highest-value sources. Export the list and work through it systematically.
How to know the backlinks of a website without paid tools
Moz's free Link Explorer gives 10 free monthly searches. Enter a competitor domain to see their top backlinks and referring domains. It's limited but useful for occasional research without a subscription. Combine this with the Google search operator methods above for a surprisingly complete picture.
How to Act on Competitor Backlink Data
Prioritizing competitor link opportunities
Not all competitor links are equal. Work through them in this order:
- Directories and profiles — If they're listed, you can be listed today. Zero outreach needed.
- Free database submissions — Check our free backlinks database against their sources.
- Resource pages — Email the webmaster with a brief pitch for your tool or content.
- Guest post placements — Find which blogs published their content and pitch a different angle.
- Press mentions — More complex, but the highest-authority links worth pursuing via HARO or PR.
Finding links unique to each competitor
The most valuable analysis is finding links that your top competitors share but you don't have. In Ahrefs, this is the "Link Intersect" feature. In SEMrush, it's "Backlink Gap." These tools show you domains linking to multiple competitors but not to you — the strongest signal of a gap you should close.
Use monitoring to catch new competitor links
Set up alerts so you know when competitors earn new backlinks. When a new high-authority link appears in their profile, you have a narrow window to approach the same source while the link opportunity is fresh. Our backlink monitoring alerts help you stay on top of competitor activity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find competitors' backlinks for free?
Use Google's link: operator, search for their domain in quotes on Google, use Moz's free 10 monthly searches, or check Ahrefs Webmaster Tools if you have access. For your own site's gap analysis, compare your GSC data against what you know your competitors have.
How to know the backlinks of a website without paying?
Moz Link Explorer offers 10 free searches per month. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools is free for your own verified sites. For quick research on any domain, the Google link: operator and brand mentions searches provide a partial but free view of a site's link profile.
How to find backlinks to your website?
Google Search Console is the most accurate free source for your own backlinks. Log in, navigate to "Links" in the left sidebar, and you'll see all sites Google has confirmed link to you. For more detail and real-time alerts, use a dedicated backlink monitoring tool.
What should I do after I find competitors' backlinks?
Categorize the links by type: directories, profiles, resource pages, guest posts, and press mentions. Start with the easiest to replicate, typically directories and profiles, then work up to editorial opportunities. Each category requires a different approach but all are worth pursuing systematically.
How to check backlinks in Google search?
Type link:domain.com in Google search to see some pages that link to that domain. This method is incomplete and Google no longer guarantees it shows all known links, but it provides a fast starting point. For complete data, use a dedicated backlink tool alongside this free method.