Last Updated on May 22, 2025 by Becky Halls
Ever wondered, “Why is this gardening blog linking to my SEO agency?” Or “Which sites are linking in to my site and are they actually helping me rank?” Welcome to the oddly thrilling world of backlink forensics.
Knowing the sites linking to my site is more than just a curiosity, it’s an essential part of understanding your site’s authority, SEO performance, and even its reputation online.
Today we’re not just going to show you how to find these links – we’re going to show you what to do with that knowledge, how to use it to your advantage, and how to avoid link-related disasters (looking at you, spammy casino backlinks 👀).
Why It Matters Which Sites Linking to My Site
Here’s why keeping tabs on backlinks is a non-negotiable in 2025:
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SEO rankings: Backlinks are still one of the strongest ranking signals Google uses.
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Trust signals: Quality links = Google’s trust. Dodgy links = red flags.
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Referral traffic: Some backlinks don’t just boost SEO – they send actual, relevant traffic.
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Link equity flow: Understanding which pages earn the most links helps with internal linking and authority distribution.
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Toxic link prevention: Spot spammy links early and disavow before they damage your rankings.
How to See the Sites Linking to My Site
There are a bunch of tools that make this ridiculously easy – even fun. Here’s a roundup of your best options:
1. Ahrefs
Possibly the gold standard for backlink analysis.
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Just pop your domain into Site Explorer
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Head to “Backlinks” or “Referring domains”
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Filter by DR, anchor text, dofollow/nofollow, etc.
Ahrefs gives you deep insight into which sites are linking to your site, and which ones are helping or hurting you.
2. Google Search Console (Free!)
No budget? No problem.
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Open your Google Search Console account
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Navigate to “Links” → “Top linking sites”
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See who links to you most, and which pages they’re linking
It’s limited compared to paid tools, but it’s data straight from Google’s mouth, so always worth checking.
3. Semrush
Another great all-rounder.
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Use the “Backlink Analytics” tool
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Dive into domains, anchor text, authority scores, etc.
Semrush is ideal if you want to compare how many sites are linking to my site versus a competitor’s.
4. 3way.social (for Link Exchanges & Tracking)
While 3way.social isn’t a backlink audit tool per se, it’s ideal for tracking the links you’ve built intentionally. If you’re part of a link exchange or partnership campaign, the dashboard shows you:
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Who’s linking to you
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What the anchor text is
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Whether the link is still live
This is critical if you’re using ethical ABC link exchanges or managing campaigns for clients.
What to Do Once You Know the Sites Linking to My Site
Knowing is half the battle. Now let’s talk strategy.
1. Identify Your Power Links
Look at which sites have high domain authority, solid traffic, and relevant content. These are your “golden backlinks.”
Our Tip: See what kind of content they’re linking to – and make more of it!
2. Spot Link Opportunities
If one site in a niche is linking to you, there are probably others that would too.
Use this pattern:
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Site A in SaaS links to your pricing page
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Find similar SaaS directories or blogs
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Pitch them a version of the same content
Boom: scalable backlink prospecting based on real data.
3. Check for Irrelevant or Spammy Links
Sometimes, you’ll find a link from a Russian gambling blog, a site selling “herbal enhancements,” or 17 duplicate directories that all scream low-effort SEO.
Use tools like Ahrefs to spot toxic scores, then:
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Try to get them removed
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Or submit a disavow file via Google Search Console
4. See Which Pages Are Earning the Most Links
This is your backlink hot zone.
Use that page to:
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Internally link to other important content
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Update it regularly to keep it relevant
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Turn it into a hub by expanding its depth
Page-level link analysis is the secret sauce of SEO power users.
5. Benchmark Against Competitors
Once you’ve checked the sites linking to my site, it’s time to play spy games.
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Use tools like Semrush or Ahrefs to look at competitor backlinks
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Identify domains they have that you don’t
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Reach out, collaborate, or create better content for similar placement
Next-Level Tip: Reverse Engineer Link Velocity
If you’ve suddenly gained or lost a bunch of backlinks, it might be:
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A site-wide link was removed
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Your content was mentioned in a news piece
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Someone copied your blog and is linking to it (weirdly flattering)
Track backlink velocity to keep your SEO health in check. AI tools are now helping detect these patterns faster – watch this space 👀
Final Thought: Links Are Votes – So Track Who’s Voting for You
Understanding which sites are linking to my site is like checking who’s recommending you at a party. The more reputable the recommender, the more your reputation grows.
Don’t just set it and forget it: monitor, optimise, and use this intel to grow. Whether you’re managing one site or 50 client campaigns, knowing who’s linking to you is one of the best SEO superpowers you can have.
FAQ: Sites Linking to My Site
How do I see the sites linking to my site?
Use tools like Ahrefs, Google Search Console, or Semrush to view your backlink profile and see which websites are linking to you.
Why is it important to know who’s linking to me?
Because backlinks affect your SEO, trust, and traffic. Knowing who links to you helps you protect your rankings and find new link opportunities.
Can bad sites linking to me hurt my SEO?
Yes. Spammy or irrelevant backlinks can harm your rankings. Monitor your backlink profile and disavow harmful links if needed.
How often should I check who’s linking to my site?
At least once a month – or weekly if you’re running active SEO campaigns or doing outreach.
Is there a free way to check who links to my site?
Yes! Google Search Console shows you top linking domains and pages. It’s free and offers official data straight from Google.
