How to check backlinks in google (Without Pulling Your Hair Out)
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Are you trying to figure out how to check your backlinks in Google?
Everyone and their dog seems to be talking about backlinks these days?
Your favorite tech guru on YouTube, your fellow blogger buddies, even that random LinkedIn connection who always seems to be living the ‘digital nomad’ dream in Bali.
All for good reason.
Backlinks, when done right, can seriously boost your SEO game.
It’s like being in the cool group in high school. The more popular you are (or, the more quality backlinks you have), the more Google pays attention to you.
But hold up.
What if I told you to stop stressing about every single backlink right now?
Yes, Close that spreadsheet, put down the energy drink and breathe.
Instead, we’re going to simplify things and go bigger.
Understanding the Importance of Backlinks
Backlinks are very important; they are like digital breadcrumbs leading to your website from elsewhere.
So think about it… when some big-shot website throws a link your way, it’s like they’re giving Google a nudge and saying, “Hey, this site is pretty cool. You should check it out!”
The more nudges you get, the more Google takes notice and thinks, “Hmm, there might be something awesome about this website.
… annnd it doesn’t stop there.
Backlinks are the gift that keeps on giving.
They not only get Google to notice your website, they also increase traffic to your website because they funnel interested readers to your website.
Imagine folks clicking their way from another website to check out your amazing content.
Now, the real beauty of a juicy backlink is that it tells everyone you know your stuff.
It’s like telling everyone you’re the go-to expert in your field.
But how do you get them?”
it all starts with creating content that’s so epic, so irresistible, that other sites can’t help but link back to you.
Mix in some strategic networking with high-authority sites in your niche, and you’re on your way to backlink bliss.
So, in a nutshell, if you want to boost your online presence, drive up organic traffic, and make a name for yourself in your industry, start focusing on those backlinks, baby.
It might just be the best thing you ever do for your website.
Types of Backlinks
Dofollow Backlinks
First up, the Dofollow backlink – the star quarterback of backlinks.
Think of this as the VIP pass to your favorite concert.
Dofollow backlinks are links that allow search engines to follow them and pass link juice to the linked website.
These links are the most valuable type of backlinks as they help to improve a website’s search engine ranking. When a website has many high-quality dofollow backlinks, it signals to search engines that the website is authoritative and trustworthy.
To check if a backlink is dofollow, simply inspect the link’s HTML code.
If the link has a rel=”dofollow” attribute, it is a dofollow link.
Nofollow Backlinks
Nofollow backlinks, on the other hand, are links that do not pass link juice to the linked website.
These links were introduced by search engines to combat spam and prevent websites from manipulating search engine rankings by buying or spamming links.
Nofollow backlinks are the ones that tell search engines, “Hey, follow me if you want, but I’m not forcing you
To check if a backlink is nofollow, inspect the link’s HTML code. If the link has a rel=”nofollow” attribute, it is a nofollow link.
“But wait,” I hear you ask, “if nofollow links don’t bring Google to my website, why should I care about them?”
Well, remember, These nofollow links might not impress the Google, but they can still bring real people to your website.
And who knows?
One of those people might just end up being your biggest fan!
It’s important to note that while nofollow backlinks don’t pass link juice, they can still drive traffic to a website. Additionally, having a mix of both dofollow and nofollow backlinks is natural and can help to improve a website’s overall search engine ranking.
Overall, understanding the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks is crucial for any website owner or SEO professional.
By building a strong backlink profile with a mix of high-quality dofollow and nofollow links, a website can improve its search engine ranking and drive more traffic to its pages.
How to Check Backlinks in Google
Here are three ways to check backlinks in Google:
Using Google Search Console
Google Search Console is a free tool that allows you to track your website’s performance on Google. It also provides information about your website’s backlinks. Here’s how to check your backlinks using Google Search Console:
- Log in to your Google Search Console account.
- Click on “Links” in the left-hand menu.
- You can see the total number of backlinks to your website, as well as the domains that link to your site.
Using Ahrefs
Ahrefs is a popular third-party tool that provides detailed information about backlinks. Here’s how to check your backlinks using Ahrefs:
- Go to the Ahrefs homepage and enter your website’s URL.
- Click on “Backlink Profile” in the left-hand menu.
- You can see the total number of backlinks to your website, as well as the domains that link to your site. Ahrefs also provides information about the quality of each backlink.
Using Semrush
Semrush is another popular third-party tool that provides information about backlinks. Here’s how to check your backlinks using Semrush:
- Go to the Semrush homepage and enter your website’s URL.
- Click on “Backlinks” in the left-hand menu.
- You can see the total number of backlinks to your website, as well as the domains that link to your site. Semrush also provides information about the quality of each backlink.
In conclusion, checking backlinks is an essential part of SEO. By using Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Semrush, you can gain valuable insights into your website’s backlinks and improve your website’s ranking on search engines.
Understanding Backlink Metrics
understanding backlink metrics is essential to your website as a good old power-walk is to my daily routine.
And let me tell you, when I say “a walk”, I’m not talking about a casual stroll to the nearest clothing store.
Oh no, I’m talking about a serious trek around the neighborhood, podcasts loaded and shades on – rain or shine.
Domain Authority
Domain Authority (DA) is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank on search engine result pages (SERPs).
It is measured on a scale of 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating a greater ability to rank.
To improve your website’s DA, you need to focus on building high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites in your niche.
You can check your website’s DA using Moz’s Link Explorer or other similar tools.
Referring Domains
Referring domains are the number of unique websites that link to your website.
It is an important metric to track because having more referring domains can improve your website’s search engine rankings.
To increase the number of referring domains, you need to focus on building high-quality backlinks from different websites.
You can check your website’s referring domains using tools like Ahrefs, Moz’s Link Explorer, or SEMrush.
A higher number means more variety, and search engines dig that. Tools like Ahrefs, Moz’s Link Explorer, or SEMrush are your best pals for tracking this.
Anchor Text
Anchor Text, the clickable chameleon of backlinks.
It changes according to what it’s linked to, helping search engines understand what your page is about.
Avoid generic ones like “click here”, and go for ones that give a sense of what’s on the other side, rit!
You can check your website’s anchor text using tools like Ahrefs or Moz’s Link Explorer.
Overall, understanding backlink metrics is crucial to improving your website’s search engine rankings.
Analyzing the Quality of Backlinks
But here’s the deal: all backlinks are not created equal,
You’ve got your low-quality links, the spammy cul-de-sacs of the internet, and your high-quality links, the scenic routes with charming boutiques.
Tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush can help you sort out the boulevards from the back alleys.
Low-Quality Links
Low-quality links can negatively impact your website’s search engine rankings.
These links come from websites that have low domain authority, irrelevant content, or are considered spammy. It’s important to identify and disavow these links to avoid any penalties from search engines.
To identify low-quality links, you can use backlink analysis tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush. These tools provide insights into the quality of your backlinks, including the domain authority of the linking website and the relevance of the linking page to your website’s content.
Once you have identified low-quality links, you can disavow them using Google’s Disavow Tool. This tool allows you to tell Google which links to ignore when crawling your website.
High-Quality Links
High-quality links are links that come from websites with high domain authority, relevant content, and are considered trustworthy by search engines. These links can positively impact your website’s search engine rankings and increase your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).
To identify high-quality links, you can use backlink analysis tools such as Ahrefs or SEMrush. Look for links from websites with high domain authority, relevant content, and a good reputation in your industry.
The Role of Backlinks in SEO Rankings
Backlinks play a crucial role in determining the search engine ranking of a website.
As a website owner, understand that backlinks are one of the most important factors that search engines use to determine the relevance and authority of a website.
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website.
The more high-quality backlinks you have pointing to your website, the more likely it is that search engines will view your website as authoritative and relevant.
Search engines use backlinks as a way to measure the popularity and relevance of a website.
A website with many high-quality backlinks is seen as more authoritative and relevant than a website with few or no backlinks.
Your website needs a solid backlink strategy.
Creating valuable content, reaching out to other websites, and linking to high-quality sources, are all part of the plan.
And trust me, it’s worth the effort! It’s like the satisfaction I feel when I wrap up “my walk” for the day.
Building a Backlink Strategy
Link Building Strategies
One of the most effective ways to build backlinks is by creating high-quality content that people want to link to.
This can include blog posts, infographics, videos, and more. By creating valuable content, you can attract natural backlinks from other websites.
Another strategy is to reach out to other websites in your niche and ask for a link.
This can be done through email outreach or social media. When reaching out, make sure to explain why your website is valuable and how it can benefit their audience.
Outbound Links and Referral Traffic
Outbound links can also play a role in building a strong backlink profile.
linking to other high-quality websites, you can improve your website’s credibility and authority. Additionally, outbound links can drive referral traffic to your website, which can improve your overall traffic and engagement.
Buying Links
While buying links is not a recommended strategy, it is worth mentioning. Buying links can result in penalties from search engines and damage your website’s reputation. Instead, focus on building natural backlinks through high-quality content and outreach.
Conclusion
I know, I know. The thought of checking backlinks on Google might seem about as enjoyable as untangling a pair of earbuds that have been in your pocket for too long.
But here’s the thing, it doesn’t have to be that way!
Google offers a variety of helpful tools like the Google Search Console, you can check your backlinks, understand your site’s performance, and even identify any issues that might be holding you back.
But hey, if you want to dive deeper into the world of backlinks, why not arm yourself with some professional-grade tools?
There are a few on the market that I personally recommend. Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush are my top picks.
They’ll help you track your backlinks, understand the quality of these links, and even spy on your competitors.
Now, if you’re just starting your SEO journey I highly recommend checking out this beginner-friendly SEO course.
It’s engaging and insightful, and trust me; it cuts through all the SEO like a hot knife through butter.
So, do you feel ready to check your backlinks on Google?
