Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Becky Halls
Ever wonder which sites are linking to my site and what that even means for your rankings? I remember when I used to ask the same thing! Checking the ‘sites linking to my site’ report is one of the smartest SEO moves you can make… but only when you know how to read the signals (not just the numbers).
In this article, I will cover the following:
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What “sites linking to my site” really shows you
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Why it matters more in 2025 (almost 2026!) than ever
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The tools to uncover these links (and what they hide)
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How to act on those links whether they’re good or bad
Let’s bring the fun to link data (total data geek here!) and make it feel less like a maze and more like your roadmap.
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.
The number of domains linking to a page strongly correlates with rankings — top pages tend to have significantly more referring domains.” Search Engine Land
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.
Links are really important for us to find content initially. If nobody links to your site, we’ll have trouble recognizing it exists.”
— John Mueller, Search Advocate @ Google SEOptimer
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
High‑quality backlinks from reputable websites act like digital endorsements — they help your site stand out as an authority.”
— from marketing analysis on backlink importance Jessica Thiefels Consulting
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.
