Backlinks are expensive. Losing them to a mere lack of backlink tracking and management can be detrimental to your marketing goals.
Tracking backlinks including their status (nofollow/dofollow/active/lost), anchor text, source, destination, domain authority, and other backlink metrics becomes extremely important.
So, in this article, we’ll learn all about tracking backlinks and how to use BacklinkManager.io to stop bleeding your expensive links to link rot!
Let’s get started!
Summary: Tracking Backlinks Made Easy
Why Track Backlinks?
1. Links can break due to changes on your site or others. For example, if you update your site and use redirects, the original backlinks might lose value. Similarly, other sites might change their content, causing your link to become invalid.2. Ownership Changes: Websites can change hands. If the new owner alters the site’s focus, your backlink might not fit their new content, confusing search engines and potentially harming your site’s ranking.
3. Spy on Competitors: Tracking your competitors’ backlinks helps you find opportunities. If they lose links, you can reach out to those sites and suggest your content as a replacement.
Top 5 Tools for Backlink Tracking:
1. Google Search Console: Free and basic, it shows linking domains, top pages, and anchor texts. Great for beginners.
2. BacklinkManager.io: Offers real-time tracking, detailed reports, and identifies toxic links. Ideal for managing multiple campaigns.
3. Semrush: Provides backlink audits, identifies harmful links, and tracks new and lost links. Starts at $119.95/month.
4. Monitor Backlinks: Specifically tracks backlinks and keyword rankings. Plans start at $20/month.
5. SE Ranking: Offers detailed backlink analysis, keyword tracking, and site audits. Costs $39/month.
Tracking Backlinks with BacklinkManager.io:
1. Automated Monitoring: Tracks if links are do-follow/no-follow and if they’re live or removed.
2. Partnership Management: Keeps track of relationships with vendors and partners.
3. Custom Reports: Creates detailed reports for clients.
4. Toxic Link Detection: Identify harmful links to keep your profile clean.
Advanced Tips:
1. Set Up Alerts: Use tools to get notifications for new or lost links.
2. Regular Audits: Monthly checks help identify toxic links and ensure links point to the right pages.
3. Monitor Anchor Text: Too much of the same anchor text can lead to penalties. Keep it diverse.
Why is Backlink Tracking So Important?
So, you’ve wrapped up a successful outreach campaign and scored some high-quality backlinks—congratulations! But the work doesn’t end here. To truly capitalize on those links, it’s essential to monitor them regularly.
Why?
Let’s explore a few key reasons.
1. Broken Links Can Happen
Yes, broken links are a reality and can occur for various reasons, including changes on your site or the referring domain. For instance, if you make updates to your site and implement 301 or 302 redirects, the original backlinks may lose value unless the referring site updates the link accordingly. This is important because 301 redirects can result in diminished link equity.
Similarly, referring domains can change as well. They might switch content management systems (CMS), edit the article containing your backlink, or make other adjustments that render your link invalid, leading to a 404 error. Acting quickly in such scenarios is vital—otherwise, your competitors might step in and claim the advantage.
2. Ownership Changes in Referring Domains
It’s more common than you’d think for websites to change ownership. While it might seem like this wouldn’t affect your backlinks, it can. If the new owner shifts the website’s focus and retains the article containing your backlink, the content might no longer align with your niche. This can send mixed signals to search engines. In the worst-case scenario, Google may interpret these links as spammy and penalize your site.
3. Spy on Competitors’ Backlinks
Tracking backlinks isn’t just about safeguarding your own; it’s also a golden opportunity to track your competitors. They lose backlinks just like you, and this presents an opening for you to step in.
Set aside time to review their backlink profiles, identify broken links, and contact the website owners to replace those dead links with ones to your content. You can also analyze the sites linking to your competitors and attempt to secure links from those same pages—without relying solely on broken links.
Top 5 Tools for Tracking Your Backlink
Chances are, you already use some SEO tools for your marketing campaigns. Many of these tools include features for backlink tracking. Start with the ones you’re familiar with, and if they fall short, explore other options. Here’s a list to get you started:
1. Google Search Console
Always begin with the basics. If your site is verified in Google Search Console, you can use it to track linking domains, top-linked pages, and anchor texts.
While it doesn’t provide in-depth insights into your backlink profile, it’s free and simple to set up, making it a great starting point.
2. BacklinkManager.io
- Features:
- Real-time backlink tracking.
- In-depth link profile reports.
- Domain Authority (DA) metrics.
- Spam score detection.
- Toxic link identification.
- Vendor and partner management.
- Customizable reporting.
- Anchor Text Tracking
- Best for: Agencies and businesses managing multiple link-building campaigns.
3. Semrush
Semrush is another top-tier SEO tool, that offers robust backlink tracking capabilities.
Its entry-level plan, priced at $119.95 per month, enables you to conduct backlink audits, identify harmful links, and create disavow files for Google Search Console. The platform also provides insights into new and lost links, making it an excellent choice for proactive tracking.
4. Monitor Backlinks
Monitor Backlinks is designed specifically for tracking backlinks and keyword rankings.
For plans starting at $20 per month, you can analyze existing backlinks, check domain scores, and track competitor links. The tool organizes all data into an intuitive spreadsheet, simplifying backlink management.
5. SE Ranking
If you’re looking for a simpler tool, SE Ranking is a solid choice. It offers detailed backlink analysis, including referring domains, anchor text evaluation, and backlink value assessment, for $39 per month.
Additional features include keyword rank tracking and site audits, making it an affordable, user-friendly solution for tracking links.
Using BacklinkManager.io for Tracking Backlinks and More
BacklinkManager.io is a game-changer for backlink management. Here’s why:
- Automated Link Monitoring/Tracking: Tracks link status (do-follow/no-follow, live/removed).
- Partnership Management: Manages relationships with vendors, clients, and partners in one place.
- Custom Reports: Generates detailed client reports for link-building campaigns.
- Toxic Link Detection: Identifies potentially harmful links to maintain a clean profile.
By centralizing your backlink tracking efforts, BacklinkManager.io saves time and ensures accuracy.
Some Advanced Backlink Tracking Tips
a. Set Up Alerts for New or Lost Links
Tools like BacklinkManger.io, Ahrefs and SEMrush allow you to set up email notifications for new or lost backlinks, ensuring you never miss critical changes.
b. Perform Regular Audits
Conduct monthly audits to:
- Identify toxic links.
- Ensure all links point to the correct pages.
c. Monitor Anchor Text Distribution
Over-optimization of anchor texts can trigger penalties. Track the diversity of your anchor texts to maintain a natural profile.
Let’s Track Your Backlinks!
With these tools and tips, you’re well-equipped to monitor backlinks effectively. Whether you opt for manual checks or automated reports, staying on top of your backlink profile is essential for SEO success. Ready to dive in? Check out more of our articles for additional marketing insights!
FAQs
What is a backlink in SEO?
A backlink is a hyperlink from one website to another. In SEO, backlinks are crucial because they enhance search engine rankings and authority by signalling the linked site’s value or relevance.
How can I identify bad backlinks?
To spot bad backlinks, analyze your link profile for low-authority sites, irrelevant content, excessive keyword-rich anchor text, or links from spammy websites. Tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Semrush can help.
How do I manually track backlinks?
Export backlink data from tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs. Evaluate each link for relevance, domain authority, anchor text, and placement. Keep track of findings in a spreadsheet for easy reference.
