How to Do Competitor Backlink Analysis
Competitor backlink analysis is a powerful SEO strategy that helps you identify high-quality backlink opportunities, improve link-building strategies, and boost search rankings. By analyzing your competitors' backlinks, you can uncover authoritative websites that may also link to your site.
This guide explains how to analyze competitor backlinks step by step and leverage them to strengthen your SEO strategy.
What is Competitor Backlink Analysis?
Competitor backlink analysis involves examining the backlink profiles of top-ranking competitors to understand where they get their backlinks from and how you can replicate or improve upon their strategies.
Why is Competitor Backlink Analysis Important?
Find High-Authority Link Opportunities – Identify reputable websites that may link to your content. Understand Competitor Strategies – Learn how competitors acquire backlinks.
Improve Your Link-Building Efforts – Gain insights to refine your outreach strategy.
Boost SEO Rankings – More high-quality backlinks improve domain authority and rankings.
Without analyzing competitors’ backlinks, you may miss valuable linking opportunities that can help your site outrank them in Google SERPs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Competitor Backlink Analysis
1. Identify Your Top SEO Competitors
Before analyzing backlinks, determine who your real SEO competitors are.
How to Find SEO Competitors:
Google Search – Search for your target keywords and note the top-ranking websites.
Ahrefs/Semrush Competitor Analysis – Use SEO tools to discover sites with overlapping keywords. Moz Link Explorer – Compare domain authority (DA) and backlink profiles.
Example Search Query:
Top SEO agencies in New YorkTip: Focus on competitors with higher domain authority and strong backlink profiles.
2. Use SEO Tools to Analyze Competitor Backlinks
To analyze a competitor’s backlinks, use SEO tools that provide detailed backlink insights.
Best SEO Tools for Backlink Analysis:
Ahrefs Site Explorer (https://ahrefs.com)
SEMrush Backlink Analytics (https://semrush.com)
Moz Link Explorer (https://moz.com/link-explorer)
Majestic SEO (https://majestic.com)
Google Search Console (For your own backlink profile)
Steps to Analyze Competitor Backlinks in Ahrefs:
Enter the competitor’s domain in Ahrefs Site Explorer.
Navigate to Backlinks Report.
Filter for DoFollow links and high-authority sites.
Identify relevant linking domains and their linking pages.
Tip: Focus on backlinks from high-authority, relevant domains with a DoFollow attribute.
3. Identify High-Quality Backlinks
Not all backlinks are valuable. Focus on high-quality links that can improve your domain authority.
What Makes a Backlink High-Quality?
Comes from an Authoritative Domain – Websites with high DA/DR (Domain Authority/Domain Rating).
Relevant to Your Industry/Niche – Links from related websites are more valuable.
Has DoFollow Attributes – DoFollow links pass SEO value.
Placed Contextually – Links within body content are stronger than sidebar/footer links.
Has Organic Traffic – Websites with real traffic provide better value.
Tip: Use Ahrefs or Moz to filter backlinks by Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA).
4. Find Common Backlink Sources
By identifying shared backlink sources across multiple competitors, you can find high-potential link-building opportunities.
How to Find Common Backlinks:
Use Ahrefs Link Intersect Tool
Enter your domain and competitor domains.
The tool shows websites that link to your competitors but not you.
Use SEMrush Backlink Gap Tool
Compare backlink profiles of 3-5 competitors.
Find common referring domains you haven’t acquired yet.
Tip: Reach out to these websites and offer valuable content or collaborations.
5. Analyze Competitor Link-Building Strategies
Once you have competitor backlinks, analyze their patterns to find ways to replicate or improve them.
Questions to Ask:
What type of content attracts backlinks? – Blog posts, infographics, case studies?
What link-building tactics do they use? – Guest posts, resource pages, sponsorships?
Which pages get the most backlinks? – Identify high-performing content.
Are they featured on directories or industry lists? – Apply for the same.
Tip: If a competitor earns links from guest posts, pitch to the same websites.
6. Replicate & Improve Their Best Backlinks
After identifying strong competitor backlinks, develop an outreach strategy to earn similar or better links.
Best Ways to Acquire Competitor Backlinks:
Guest Posting – Write for the same websites your competitors contribute to.
Broken Link Building – Find competitor backlinks that point to dead pages and suggest your content as a replacement.
Skyscraper Technique – Improve their most-linked content and promote it.
Resource Pages & Directories – Get listed on industry directories where competitors are featured.
HARO & PR Outreach – Get mentions from news sites and blog
Tip: Personalize outreach emails for better success rates.
Example Competitor Backlink Outreach Email
Subject: Quick Suggestion for Your [Website Name]
Hi [Website Owner],
I came across your resource page on [Topic] and noticed you linked to [Competitor's Article]. I recently published a comprehensive guide on [Your Topic], which provides additional insights and updated information.
Would you consider including it as a reference?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Website]Tip: Keep emails short, personalized, and value-driven.
Tools to Track Competitor Backlinks
Backlink Analysis Tools:
Ahrefs Backlink Checker – Comprehensive backlink reports.
Moz Link Explorer – DA and backlink comparison.
SEMrush Backlink Analytics – Competitor backlink monitoring.
Link-Building & Outreach:
BuzzStream – Outreach management tool.
Hunter.io – Find email addresses for outreach.
Google Alerts – Track new mentions of competitor brands.
Tip: Regularly track new backlinks competitors earn and target those opportunities.
Common Competitor Backlink Analysis Mistakes to Avoid
Focusing Only on Quantity – Prioritize quality over the number of backlinks.
Ignoring NoFollow Links – They can still drive referral traffic.
Not Checking Spam Score – Avoid low-quality, spammy backlinks.
Skipping Outreach Follow-Ups – Many backlinks require multiple follow-ups.
Neglecting Internal Links – Strong internal linking improves SEO alongside backlinks.
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