7 Best Backlink Monitoring Tools to Track Backlinks
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Backlinks are one of the strongest signals Google uses to rank websites. But building them is only half the job. The other half is keeping track of them.
Do you know why?
Because links can disappear and even change as time passes. And sometimes links can even come from risky sites that can bring your own website down.
That’s where backlink monitoring is important.
In this blog, we are sharing the top 7 best backlink monitoring tools that make the job easier.
What Is Backlink Monitoring?
Backlink monitoring is the process of tracking all the links that point to your website. It is like tracking which websites are vouching for your content. Each backlink tells search engines that another site finds your content valuable – which can help improve your rankings.
But backlinks are not permanent. Pages get deleted, websites update their content, or a link that was once “dofollow” might switch to “nofollow.” Without backlink monitoring, you won’t know when these changes happen.
Here is what a good backlink monitoring setup can tell you:
- When a new website links to your content
- If a link gets removed or broken
- The quality and authority of the linking website
- Whether links are passing SEO value or not
In simple
Backlink monitoring gives you a clear picture of how strong your link profile is and where it may need improvement.
How Does Backlink Monitoring Tools Work?
A backlink monitoring tool tracks and analyzes the links pointing to your website. Instead of manually checking hundreds of pages – the tool does the heavy lifting for you.
Here is how it works:
- Crawling – Scans the web and collects backlinks.
- Tracking – Gathers all links pointing to your domain.
- Monitoring – Alerts you when links are added, lost, or changed.
- Quality check – Rates backlinks using metrics like authority or spam score.
- Competitor insights – Shows where rivals get links so you can find new opportunities.
A backlink monitoring tool saves time and gives you accurate data about your link profile. It helps you focus on links that actually grow rankings and spot issues before they cause harm.
Why Use a Backlink Monitor Tool?
Building backlinks is only half the battle. Without tracking them – you never really know if your efforts are paying off. A backlink monitoring tool helps you stay on top of every link that matters.
Here’s why it is worth using one:
- Catch lost links early – Links can disappear when a page is updated or deleted. A tool alerts you so you can try to recover them.
- Check link quality – Not all backlinks are good. Some come from spammy sites that can hurt your SEO. Monitoring tools highlight risky links so you can disavow them.
- Measure progress – See which content attracts the most backlinks and how your profile grows over time.
- Stay ahead of competitors – Many tools let you track competitor backlinks and uncover new opportunities for your own link building.
- Save time – Manual checking is slow and unrealistic. A tool automates the process, giving you clear reports in minutes.
7 Best Backlink Monitoring Tools
Here are seven trusted backlink monitoring tools that help you analyze and protect your links to make the link building campaigns easier and more effective.
1. Backlink Pilot
Backlink Pilot is a backlink monitoring tool designed for link building agencies and SaaS teams. Instead of spreading your efforts across spreadsheets – this tool gives you one place to track every backlink you build and verify if it stays live.
Features:
- Track up to 500 backlinks for free.
- Unlimited partners and clients to manage campaigns.
- Paid plans include daily backlink health checks.
- Balance tracker shows if partners owe you links or if exchanges are even.
- Detects if a link changes from dofollow to nofollow.
Pros:
- Free version is generous for beginners.
- Very useful for link building monitoring across multiple campaigns.
- Simple interface that focuses only on backlink tracking.
Limitations:
- Free plan only checks once per month.
- Lacks advanced SEO metrics compared to top backlink monitoring tools like Ahrefs or Semrush.
Best For: Agencies, freelancers, and teams that want a simple backlink tracking software to keep client links safe and link partnerships balanced.
2. Linkody
Linkody is a dedicated backlink monitoring tool that helps you track new and lost backlinks in real time. It is simple to use and provides all the essential data you need to monitor backlinks across multiple domains.
Here is how the results appear.
Features:
- Email alerts when you gain or lose a backlink.
- Dashboard with data like anchor text, domain authority, and spam score.
- Integration with third-party metrics from Moz and Majestic.
- Built-in disavow tool to export files for Google.
- White-label reports that agencies can customize with their own branding.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Clean interface that makes backlink tracking easy.
- Strong reporting features for agencies handling multiple sites.
Limitations:
- Doesn’t have the huge backlink index of larger SEO suites like Ahrefs or Semrush.
- Limited keyword tracking compared to all-in-one SEO tools.
Best For: Freelancers and agencies that want affordable backlink tracking software with easy reporting and practical features for managing multiple clients.
3. SEOptimer
SEOptimer is a complete SEO platform that also provides a clean and effective backlink monitoring tool. It helps you track backlinks, measure their quality, and keep an eye on changes without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexity.
Features:
- Regular checks on all backlinks pointing to your site.
- Identifies new, lost, dofollow, and nofollow links.
- Simple dashboard showing backlink trends and growth over time.
- Easy-to-export reports for clients or internal use.
- Additional SEO features like on-page audits and keyword tracking.
Pros:
- Free trial is available.
- Get reports in 15 languages.
- Combines SEO link monitoring with other optimization features.
Limitations:
- Less detailed competitor analysis compared to top backlink monitoring tools like Ahrefs or Majestic.
- Smaller backlink database, so it may miss some links.
Best For: Website owners, marketers, and small businesses that want a simple backlink monitoring tool bundled with other SEO checks at an affordable price.
4. Ahrefs
Ahrefs is one of the most popular SEO platforms and doesn’t need much introduction. It’s also known for its massive backlink database. Its backlink monitoring features give you real-time insights into who is linking to your site and how your link profile changes over time.
Features:
- One of the largest backlink indexes (35 trillion backlinks) – updated daily.
- Check top 20 backlinks.
- Alerts for new, lost, and broken backlinks.
- Detailed metrics like Domain Rating (DR), URL Rating (UR), and estimated traffic.
- Competitor backlink analysis to uncover link opportunities.
- Reports showing which pages attract the most backlinks.
Pros:
- Extremely reliable data thanks to a huge backlink index.
- Excellent for SEO link monitoring and competitor research.
- Provides additional SEO tools like keyword tracking and content analysis.
Limitations:
- Expensive for individuals or small websites.
- Can feel overwhelming due to the wide range of features.
Best For: SEO professionals and businesses that want an all-in-one SEO suite with powerful backlink monitoring and competitor analysis features.
5. Semrush
Semrush is another leading SEO suite that includes powerful backlink monitoring tools. It helps you track backlinks, evaluate their quality, and even spot potentially toxic links that could harm your site’s rankings.
Features:
- Large backlink database with frequent updates – 43 trillion links.
- Backlink audit tool that highlights risky or spammy links.
- Competitor analysis to compare link profiles.
- Integrated tools for keyword tracking, site audits, and content optimization.
Pros:
- Combines backlink tracking with a full set of SEO tools.
- The backlink audit feature is great for link building monitoring and cleaning up harmful links.
- Easy reports for both beginners and agencies.
Limitations:
- Pricing is on the higher side.
- Some metrics, like “toxicity score,” should be used with caution as they are estimates.
Best For: Businesses and agencies that want an all-in-one SEO platform with reliable backlink tracking software plus advanced tools for managing overall SEO campaigns.
6. Moz Link Explorer
Moz Link Explorer is part of the Moz Pro suite and gives you detailed insights into your backlink profile as well as competitor sites. It is designed to help you track backlink growth, analyze link quality, and identify new opportunities.
Features:
- See how many backlinks point to your website.
- Track links gained and lost over time.
- Check follow vs. nofollow ratio, anchor text usage, and domain authority.
- Link profile comparison tool to benchmark against competitors.
- Spam Score metric to identify potentially harmful links.
Pros:
- Very beginner-friendly with a simple dashboard.
- The Spam Score feature helps with SEO link monitoring and link cleanup.
- Useful competitor comparisons for spotting backlink opportunities.
Limitations:
- Backlink index is smaller compared to Ahrefs or Semrush.
- Fewer advanced features for large-scale link building monitoring.
Best For: Small businesses, marketers, and beginners who want an easy-to-use backlink monitoring tool with practical features for managing link quality.
7. Majestic SEO
Majestic SEO is a specialized backlink monitoring tool focused on link data and metrics. Unlike broader SEO suites – Majestic is all about backlinks – offering unique scores that help you evaluate both link quantity and quality.
Features:
- Trust Flow – measures the quality of backlinks pointing to your site.
- Citation Flow – shows the number of backlinks a site has.
- Topical Trust Flow – checks how relevant backlinks are to your niche.
- Placement insights that reveal where a link appears on a page.
- Historical data to track backlink growth and changes over time.
Pros:
- Highly detailed backlink analysis with unique metrics.
- Excellent for spotting strong vs. weak links in your profile.
- Trusted by many SEO professionals for backlink monitoring.
Limitations:
- Interface looks dated compared to newer tools.
- Doesn’t include broader SEO features like keyword tracking or site audits.
Best For: SEO specialists and agencies that want detailed link monitoring tools with unique metrics to evaluate link trust and relevance.
Wrapping Up
Backlink monitoring is vital for keeping your SEO strategy strong. The right tool saves time, protects your hard-earned links, and highlights new opportunities. From detailed suites like Ahrefs and Semrush to focused tools like Backlink Pilot – you have plenty of options.
And if you want a free backlink monitoring tool, try Link Publishers.
- It lets you bulk check up to 1,000 links
- See if they are active
- And track DoFollow/NoFollow status
It help you make backlink management easier than ever.
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