Backlinks play a valuable role in determining a website’s search engine rankings and its authority. Knowing how to find backlinks in Google search can provide important insights into the online presence of your website and enable you to identify opportunities for improvement. But how can you do this?
In this article, we discuss the various means to find backlinks in Google search and the tools that can assist you in finding these backlinks in Google search. First, what are backlinks?
What are Backlinks?
Backlinks, also known by the term ‘Inbound links’, or ‘Incoming links’, are hyperlinks on other websites that redirect users to your website. These links serve as a vote of confidence or a recommendation from one website to another. Search engines, like Google, consider backlinks as a sign of trust and authority, which can influence your website's ranking in search results. Backlinks are usually segmented into two – dofollow backlinks and the nofollow backlinks.
Dofollow backlinks
Dofollow backlinks are links that pass on authority and influence search engine rankings. Your website’s SEO value is increased when another website links users to your site using a dofollow backlink.
Nofollow backlinks
Nofollow backlinks do the exact opposite of dofollow backlinks. They include a rel="nofollow" attribute in the HTML code, instructing search engines not to follow the link and not to pass on any SEO value. Nofollow backlinks may have no impact on your SEO value but they can still generate traffic and improve brand visibility.
Now, how can you find these backlinks in Google search?
Finding Backlinks in Google Search
You can use any of the following methods to find backlinks in Google Search –
1. Making use of Google Search Operators
Google search operators are special commands that help you refine your search queries. They can also be used to find backlinks to a specific website. To find backlinks using Google search operators, use any of the following:
'Link:' Operator: By using the "link:" operator followed by the URL of the website you want to investigate, Google will display a list of pages that link to that website.
'Info:' Operator: The "info:" operator would provide several details of a searched website, including a list of backlinks to the site.
'Site:' Operator: To find backlinks within a specific website, use the "site:" operator followed by the website's URL.
2. Making use of Google Search Console
Google Search Console is an important tool that gives valuable insights into your website's performance in Google Search and allows you to monitor your backlink profile. To find backlinks using Google Search Console, do the following –
Log in to your Google Search Console account.
Select your website property (if you have multiple properties).
Move to the "Links" section in the left-hand menu.
Click on "Top linking sites" to view websites that link to your site.
Click on "More" under "Top linking text" to see the anchor text used in backlinks.
3. Making use of Backlink Analysis Tools
There have been several tools that are designed specifically designed for deep backlink analysis. These tools can provide a detailed view of your website’s backlinks and possibly include information on the anchor text, linking domains, and even the quality of the backlink. Some popular backlink analysis tools are –
Ahrefs: Ahrefs is a versatile SEO tool that offers extensive backlink analysis, including information on referring domains, anchor text, and more.
Moz Link Explorer: Moz provides a Link Explorer tool that can help you discover backlinks, view domain authority, and evaluate the quality of links.
Semrush: Semrush offers a Backlink Analytics tool that allows you to explore your backlink profile, track new backlinks, and assess the authority of linking domains.
Open Site Explorer: Open Site Explorer, created by Seomoz, is a free tool for basic backlink analysis. It provides information on backlinks, domain authority, and anchor text.
How to Find Backlinks with Google Search Alerts
Google Alerts is a free service that allows you to monitor the web for specific keywords or phrases. You can set up Google Alerts to notify you whenever a new webpage contains backlinks to your website. Here's how to create a Google Alert for backlinks –
Visit the Google Alerts website.
Enter the search query using the "link:" operator followed by your website URL.
Configure the alert settings, including the frequency of notifications and email preferences.
Click "Create Alert."
Examining Competitor Backlinks
Examining the backlinks of your competitors can provide valuable insights and reveal potential opportunities for your link-building efforts. To analyze competitor backlinks:
Identify your major competitors in your niche.
Use backlink analysis tools (such as Ahrefs or Moz) to investigate their backlink profiles.
Explore the domains linking to your competitors and assess their quality.
Look for backlink sources and consider reaching out to them for backlink opportunities.
In addition, knowing which backlinks are important for SEO will make your search for backlinks, whether yours or that of your competitors, more result-driven.
Bottom Line
An effective SEO campaign relies on a solid backlink strategy. When it comes to searching for backlinks, you can use Google search operators, tools like Google Search Console, and backlink analysis tools for insights. Remember, with backlinks, it is quality and relevance over quantity.
Regularly monitor and disavow low-quality links while prioritizing high-quality, natural backlinks to boost your website's authority and search engine ranking. As you do so, the methods in this article will aid your journey to enhance online visibility and authority through optimized backlinks