Why Track Backlinks?
Backlinks are a key ranking factor. Monitoring them helps you spot growth opportunities, detect negative SEO, and build relationships with linkers. Backlinks aren’t the only links worth monitoring – our UTM parameters beginner’s guide shows how to measure campaign traffic too.
1. Use Free Tools First
Try Google Search Console, Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker, or Ubersuggest to get basic backlink data – no subscription required.
2. Set Up Alerts
Use Google Alerts or Talkwalker Alerts to get notified when your brand or content is mentioned – often a signal of a new backlink.
3. Analyze Anchor Text
Pay attention to what words people are using to link to you. This affects how Google interprets your page’s topic.
4. Spot and Disavow Toxic Links
If you see links from spammy or irrelevant sources, use Google’s Disavow Tool to avoid penalties. If you want free tools to make this process easier, check out our comparison of the top 5 free link tracking platforms.
Pro Tip: Track which backlinks drive actual traffic using UTM parameters and link shorteners.