Google Search Console is the best free way to see who links to your site. Open Links in the left menu and you get a list of linking sites, top linked pages and common anchor text, straight from Google. Free tiers of third-party backlink checkers add a second view, though they usually limit how much data you can see.
A simple free workflow
- Verify your site in Search Console. You need ownership access, and you can only see data for properties you've verified.
- Open Links, then External links. Check "Top linking sites," "Top linked pages" and "Top linking text." You can export each report.
- Add a free third-party checker. Many backlink tools offer a limited free lookup. Limits change, so confirm current details on each tool's official site.
- Combine the exports in a spreadsheet. Dedupe by domain, then note which links look useful, odd or broken.
Trade-offs to know about
- Search Console is not exhaustive. It shows a sample of the links Google knows about, not necessarily every one.
- It has no competitor data. You can only inspect sites you own. Looking at a rival's links generally needs a paid tool or a heavily limited free check.
- Free tools differ. Each crawls the web differently, so counts won't match. Treat the numbers as directional, not exact.
- Freshness lags. A new link can take a while to appear. See how long new backlinks take to show up.
Recommended for youHow to Check and Audit a Backlink Profile: A Step-by-Step WalkthroughWhat to look at once you have the list
Start with the count of unique linking domains rather than raw links; backlinks and referring domains are different measures. Then check link types (dofollow vs nofollow), anchor text and any links pointing to pages that no longer exist. For the last one, see how to find broken backlinks.
When free stops being enough
If you manage several sites, need competitor comparisons, or want alerts when links appear or vanish, a paid tool may be worth it. Compare options on a review or comparison page, and check each vendor's official site for current features and pricing before deciding.
Related
- How to Check and Audit a Backlink Profile
- How to Read Backlink Metrics
- How to Track New and Lost Backlinks
- How often should I check my backlinks?
- Backlink Monitoring & Analysis
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