How to Check Sites Linking In to My Site

Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by Becky Halls

When someone asks, “How do I improve my Google ranking?” the answer often starts with one word: backlinks.

If you’re new to SEO, you might be wondering:
What are backlinks? Why do they matter? And how do I find out which sites are linking in to my site?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know… from checking your existing backlinks to building new ones the right way.

What Are Backlinks (and Why Should You Care)?
How to See the Sites Linking In to My Site
Tools You Can Use to Monitor Backlinks
What Makes a Good (or Bad) Backlink
How to Get More Sites Linking in to My Site
Common Mistakes to Avoid
FAQ

1. What Are Backlinks (and Why Should You Care)?

Backlinks, which are also known as inbound links, are links from one website to another. When another site links to a page on your website, it’s essentially giving you a vote of confidence.

Search engines like Google use backlinks to understand your site’s authority and trustworthiness. In short:

More high-quality backlinks = more SEO power
Spammy or irrelevant backlinks = potential penalties

So if you’re thinking, “I want to know which sites are linking in to my site,”you’re already on the right track! Move to step 2!

2. How to See the Sites Linking In to My Site

The first step in understanding your backlink profile is checking who’s already linking to you.

Here’s how to do it:

Option 1: Google Search Console (Free)

If your site is connected to Google Search Console, you can access a free backlink report.

Log in to Google Search Console
Select your property
Go to “Links” in the sidebar
Under “Top linking sites,” you’ll see the domains linking to your site

Voilà! These are the current sites linking in to my site (according to Google).

Option 2: SEO Tools (Paid & Free Trials)

For more detailed insights, you can use third-party tools:

Ahrefs – Powerful backlink explorer with anchor text, authority ratings, and new/lost links.
SEMRush – Great for competitive backlink research and toxic link monitoring.
Moz Link Explorer – A beginner-friendly option for discovering link metrics like Domain Authority.
Ubersuggest – Budget-friendly tool with basic backlink data.

3. Tools You Can Use to Monitor Backlinks

Tracking who’s linking in to your site isn’t a one-time job. Ongoing monitoring helps you:

Spot harmful links early
See the impact of your outreach efforts
Track competitors’ backlinks for new opportunities

Look for tools that offer:

New/Lost backlink reports
Anchor text analysis
Domain authority or trust flow ratings
Export functionality for reporting

Even if you just check once a month, it’s worth keeping tabs on sites linking in to my site for SEO hygiene.

4. What Makes a Good (or Bad) Backlink?

Not all backlinks are worth the same and when assessing the value of a site linking to you, look at:

✅ Good backlinks:

Come from trusted, relevant websites
Are placed naturally within useful content
Use relevant (not spammy) anchor text
Drive real traffic

🚫 Bad backlinks:

Come from link farms or unrelated directories
Use exact-match keywords in an unnatural way
Are paid-for or part of a private blog network (PBN)

A handful of strong backlinks from authoritative sources will outperform hundreds of low-quality ones.

5. How to Get More Sites Linking In to My Site

If you’re ready to grow your authority, it’s time to actively build backlinks. Here’s how:

1. Create Link-Worthy Content

Write guides, listicles, data studies, or tools that others genuinely want to share.
Think: “Would I link to this if I didn’t own it?”

2. Guest Posting

Offer to write quality content for other sites in your niche, with a backlink to your own in return. It’s a win-win.

3. Directory Submissions (Be Selective)

Submit to relevant, niche-specific directories – avoid those spammy generic ones.

4. Broken Link Building

Find broken links on other websites and suggest your own page as a replacement.

5. Digital PR & Outreach

Build relationships with bloggers, journalists, and content creators who might feature your business or quote you.

Remember: Quality over quantity is key when it comes to getting more sites linking in to my site.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Buying backlinks from shady marketplaces (we all know the ones that claim to offer 100 links for around $30!)
❌ Using the same anchor text over and over
❌ Ignoring nofollow/dofollow balance
❌ Not diversifying your backlink sources
❌ Neglecting internal linking within your own site

Google is smarter than ever, meaning manipulative or unnatural link practices can do more harm than good.

FAQ: Sites Linking In to My Site

How can I find out which sites are linking in to my site for free?

Use Google Search Console – it’s a great free tool and shows which domains link to your pages.

How often should I check my backlinks?

Monthly is a good rhythm. You’ll want to spot trends, fix issues, and track progress over time.

Can bad backlinks hurt my SEO?

Yes. If spammy or toxic backlinks point to your site, they can lower your trust with Google. You can disavow them if necessary.

What’s the best way to build backlinks as a beginner?

Start with guest blogging, creating genuinely useful content, and forming partnerships in your niche.

Is it okay to ask people to link to my site?

Absolutely! As long as it’s relevant and you’re offering value (like great content or a helpful resource), outreach is encouraged.

Final Thoughts

Learning who the sites linking in to my site are is just the beginning. The real power lies in knowing why they link, what makes a link valuable, and how to steadily grow your backlink profile in a way that Google, and your users, trust.

So go ahead: open up Search Console, check your backlink profile, and start building smarter. One quality link at a time.

Contents