How to Find Backlinks to a Website on Google

Last Updated on April 19, 2025

If you’re wondering how to find backlinks to a website on Google, you’re not alone. 

Backlinks from other websites pointing to yours are among the most potent factors in Google’s ranking algorithm. 

Whether analyzing your site or spying on competitors, uncovering backlinks can reveal SEO opportunities and guide your link-building strategy.

While Google doesn’t show a complete backlink profile like paid tools (Ahrefs or Semrush), there are clever ways to discover backlinks using Google search operators, free tools, and even Chrome extensions. 

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to find backlinks using Google, step-by-step, without spending a dime.

To find backlinks to a website on Google, use search operators like intext:”example.com”, site: example.com “yourdomain.com”, or inurl:example.com to locate pages that mention or link to the site. You can also set up Google Alerts to track new backlinks over time.

Why Backlinks Are Important for SEO Success?

Backlinks — also known as inbound or incoming links — are links from one website to another. In the eyes of search engines like Google, every backlink acts like a vote of confidence. 

The more high-quality backlinks a webpage receives, the more authoritative and relevant it appears, which in turn translates into higher rankings in the search engine results pages (SERPs).

Understanding the value of backlinks is crucial before you learn how to find backlinks to a website on Google. 

Whether you’re running an SEO campaign, auditing your site, or analyzing competitors, backlinks are foundational in determining a website’s visibility in organic search.

Here’s a deeper look at why backlinks are essential for SEO success:

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1. Backlinks Are a Core Google Ranking Factor

Google’s algorithm uses hundreds of signals to rank content, but backlinks remain among the top three most important. When multiple trusted websites link to a page, it signals to Google that the content is authoritative and valuable. This can significantly increase your chances of ranking on page one.

Example: A blog post with just 5–10 quality backlinks from relevant websites can outrank a post with zero links, even if the content is similar.

2. Backlinks Help Google Discover and Index Your Content

Googlebot crawls the web using links. If your site receives backlinks from high-traffic, frequently indexed sites, your new content can be discovered and indexed much faster. This is especially helpful for newer websites trying to build authority from scratch.

Pro tip: By learning how to find backlinks to a website on Google, you can identify which sites are already linking to your content — and which ones Google may be using to crawl your pages.

3. Referral Traffic from Backlinks Can Drive Real Users

SEO aside, backlinks can also send you high-quality referral traffic.

A link from a popular blog, a Reddit thread, or a niche forum can drive thousands of visitors who are already interested in your topic, meaning they’re more likely to engage, convert, or share your content.

Unlike paid ads, this traffic is organic, relevant, and sustainable over the long term.

4. Backlinks Build Topical Authority and Trust

Links from authoritative sources don’t just help with rankings—they help establish your reputation. Google uses these signals to assess your website’s trustworthiness, particularly in sensitive niches such as health, finance, and cybersecurity.

Think of backlinks like online citations. 

The more you’re “cited” by credible sites, the more trustworthy your content becomes in the eyes of both users and search engines.

Use my Topical Authority Score Estimator for SEO Analysis

5. Backlink Analysis Uncovers Opportunities (and Risks)

If you’re trying to outrank a competitor, one of the most effective strategies is to identify their backlinks using Google. 

You can analyze where they’re getting featured, which guest posts or directories they use, and then create similar or better links for your site.

At the same time, tracking your backlinks lets you identify toxic or spammy links that could harm your SEO, so you can disavow them or clean up your profile.

Can You Find Backlinks Using Google Search?

Yes, you can find backlinks using Google search, but with limitations. Google doesn’t offer a built-in backlink checker like SEO tools such as Ahrefs or Semrush. However, suppose you’re wondering how to find backlinks to a website on Google. In that case, the answer lies in using search operators intelligently, allowing you to uncover many websites that link to a domain or mention it somehow.

This is especially helpful if you’re starting and want to analyze your link profile or spy on competitors without investing in expensive software.

What You Can Find Using Google Search

Google’s search engine allows you to surface pages on the web that:

• Mention your domain (e.g., intext: “yourdomain.com”).
• Include your brand name or anchor text (e.g., “Your Brand” backlink).
• Contain links to your site, sometimes in visible URLs.

You can also spot:

• Guest posts linking to your site.
• Forum or community threads.
• Press mentions or resource pages.

So, if you’re wondering how to find backlinks to a website on Google, using these operator-based queries is a smart and free starting point.

What Google Won’t Show You

Despite its usefulness, Google won’t give you a complete backlink profile like dedicated SEO tools do. You won’t be able to see:

• Total number of backlinks.
• Link authority or spam score.
• Anchor text distribution.
• Lost or broken backlinks.

You’ll eventually need tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Moz for that level of detail. However, Google Search is perfect for quick wins, free checks, and discovering link opportunities.

Google Search Operator Cheatsheet: Find Backlinks with These Queries

Search Operator	What It Does	Example
intext: “yourdomain.com”	Finds pages that mention your website	in the text: “marketinglad.io”
site:example.com “yourdomain.com”	Find backlinks from a specific site	site:reddit.com “shahidshahmiri.com”
inurl:yourdomain.com	Finds URLs that include your domain (often backlinks)	inurl:shahidshahmiri.com
“your brand name” + “yourdomain.com”	Finds branded mentions + potential backlinks	“CyberLad” “cyberlad.io”
“anchor text” “yourdomain.com”	Find backlinks using specific anchor text	“SEO consultant” “shahidshahmiri.com”
intitle:”resources” + “yourdomain.com”	Finds resource pages that may have linked to you,	intitle: “resources” “marketinglad.io”
site: .edu “yourdomain.com”	Find backlinks from .edu domains	site:.edu “cyberlad.io”

Google Search Operators to Find Backlinks (With Examples)

Google search operators are a smart starting point if you’re looking for free ways to discover backlinks without paying for expensive tools. These operators help you surface pages that mention or link to your website or your competitors’.

Here’s how to use Google to find backlinks and mentions effectively:

1. intext: — Find Pages That Mention Your URL

The intext: operator shows results where your domain is mentioned anywhere in the body of a page. While not all mentions are backlinks, many of them are.

Example:

intext:”shahidshahmiri.com”

Use it to:

• Discover possible backlinks.
• Find unlinked mentions you can convert into links.
• Analyze competitor domain mentions.

2. site: + “yourdomain.com” — Find Links from Specific Sites

Use this to check if a specific website links to or mentions your domain.

Example:

site:quora.com “shahidshahmiri.com”

Use it to:

• Track backlinks from forums, blogs, or niche sites.
• Audit guest post placements.
• See if a particular site has ever linked to you.

3. inurl: — Find URLs That Include Your Domain

This operator is great for finding backlinks embedded in URL fields or tracking links with UTM parameters.

Example:

inurl:marketinglad.io

Use it to:

• Discover raw URL mentions.
• Spot tracking links.
• Identify social shares with direct URLs.

4. “Anchor Text” “yourdomain.com” — Find Links Using Keywords

If you want to analyze links using specific anchor text, this method helps.

Example:

“SEO consultant” “shahidshahmiri.com”

Use it to:

• Analyze keyword-rich anchor links.
• Spot branded or generic anchor usage.
• Find guest posts or resource list placements.

Read more: What Symbol Would You Use to Add a Negative Keyword?

5. intitle: + “yourdomain.com” — Find Listicles and Resource Pages

People often link to tools or websites in listicles or resource pages. You can find these opportunities with the intitle: operator.

Example:

intitle: “top seo blogs” “shahidshahmiri.com”

Use it to:

• Find curated lists where your site is mentioned.
• Discover linkable assets like tools or stats.
• Analyze niche roundups for outreach targets.

6. site:.edu or site:.gov — Backlinks from Trusted Domains

.edu and .gov backlinks are highly authoritative. Use Google to find if any such domains link to your site (or a competitor’s).

Example:

site:.edu “shahidshahmiri.com”

Use it to:

• Identify rare, high-authority backlinks.
• Analyze scholarship or resource page links.
• Spot EDU outreach opportunities.

Bonus Tip:

Don’t stop at just finding links. Once you identify them, plug those URLs into a free tool like Ahrefs Backlink Checker or Ubersuggest to assess authority and anchor text.

How to Find Competitor Backlinks Using Google?

If you’re serious about ranking higher in search, one of the smartest moves you can make is to analyze your competitors’ backlink profiles. 

And yes, you can start doing that for free using Google search.

While paid tools like Ahrefs and Semrush offer deep insights, you can still uncover valuable competitor backlinks using smart Google search operators. 

This method helps you reverse-engineer their strategy and find easy link-building opportunities.

1. Use intext: to Discover Mentions of Competitor Domains

Start by searching for mentions of your competitor’s website to see where they might be linked or referenced.

Example:

intext: “competitorwebsite.com”

Use it to:

• Find blogs, forums, and news sites linking to them.
• Spot guest posts or interviews.
• Uncover niche directories and citations.

2. Search for Competitor Brand Names

Some mentions won’t include URLs but will still use the brand name.

Example:

“Marketing Lad SEO Agency”

Use it to:

• Track unlinked mentions (great for outreach).
• Spot brand citations that carry SEO weight.
• Analyze brand visibility across the web.

3. Combine site: + Competitor URL

Want to check if a specific site is linking to your competitor?

Example:

site:medium.com “marketinglad.io”

Use it to:

• Audit guest posting sites.
• See where they’re contributing content.
• Find placement opportunities for your brand.

4. Find Anchor Text They’re Ranking With

If your competitor ranks well for “affordable SEO services,” check if that’s part of their backlink anchor strategy.

Example:

“affordable SEO services” “marketinglad.io”

Use it to:

• Analyze the keywords being used in backlinks.
• Model or improve upon their anchor strategies.
• Identify link-heavy pages that you can outperform.

5. Look for Resource Lists and Roundups

Resource pages often link to multiple competitors. You can find these using intitle: and keyword combos.

Example:

intitle: “best seo agencies” “marketinglad.io”

Use it to:

• Find roundups featuring your competitors.
• Pitch your brand to be included in the same lists.
• Build a database of linkable outreach targets.

Pro Tip: Create a Google Sheet to Track Your Findings

• Add columns for: URL, Anchor Text, Type (Guest Post/Resource/Forum), Authority, and Your Outreach Status.
• Use this to plan a focused manual outreach campaign.

Set Up Google Alerts to Track New Backlinks Automatically

One of the easiest (and free) ways to monitor new backlinks or mentions of your website is by setting up Google Alerts. 

While it won’t show you every backlink like an SEO tool, it can notify you whenever your brand, domain, or content is mentioned across the web, helping you catch new backlink opportunities in real-time.

If you’re learning how to find backlinks to a website on Google, this is a passive, automated strategy that requires no ongoing effort after setup.

What Is Google Alerts?

Google Alerts is a free monitoring tool by Google that tracks mentions of specific keywords, phrases, or URLs across websites, blogs, news, forums, and more. When a new mention is found, you receive an email alert.

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What You Can Track with Google Alerts

You can use Google Alerts to:

• Get notified when someone links to your website.
• Track brand mentions (linked or unlinked).
• Monitor competitor mentions or backlinks.
• Spot content scraping or republishing.
• Discover new guest post placements or reviews.

How to Set Up Google Alerts (Step-by-Step)

1. Go to: https://www.google.com/alerts
2. Enter a search term:
   Use keywords like:
   • “shahidshahmiri.com”
   • “Marketing Lad SEO”
   • “SEO consultant in Kashmir”
   • “link: “shahidshahmiri.com” (try it!)
3. Click “Show Options” to customize:
   • Frequency: As-it-happens, daily, or weekly.
   • Sources: Blogs, news, web, etc.
   • Language & region: Choose specific targeting if needed.
   • Deliver to: Your email or RSS feed.
4. Click “Create Alert”

Repeat this process for multiple variations (e.g., brand, domain, keyword, etc.).

Pro Tip: Track Competitors Too

Want to see where your rivals are getting mentioned or linked? Set alerts for:

• “competitorname.com”.
• “best SEO tools” competitorname.
• “guest post by” competitorname.

This keeps you informed and provides ideas for outreach and content creation.

Why Google Alerts Are Smart for Backlink Tracking:

• It’s 100% free and takes just minutes to set up.
• It helps you find unlinked mentions that you can turn into backlinks.
• Let you react fast to new links, PR coverage, or brand mentions.
• Works as a passive, ongoing backlink discovery system.

Use Free Tools to Enhance What You Find on Google

Tool	Best For	Limitations	Link
Google Search Console	Viewing your own site’s backlinks	Only works for verified websites	https://search.google.com/search-console
Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker	Checking the authority of backlinks (DA/PA)	Limited to 100 backlinks per search	https://ahrefs.com/backlink-checker
Ubersuggest	Analyzing backlink trends and anchor texts	Daily search limits for free users	https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/
Moz Link Explorer	Checking authority of backlinks (DA/PA)	Limited searches and data without a paid account	https://moz.com/link-explorer
OpenLinkProfiler	Free backlink data for smaller sites	Checking the authority of backlinks (DA/PA)	https://www.openlinkprofiler.org/

While Google search operators are a great starting point for discovering backlinks, they only scratch the surface of the information available. 

To comprehensively analyze what you’ve found — and uncover even more link-building opportunities — you’ll want to pair Google with a few free SEO tools that offer backlink insights, metrics, and deeper data.

These tools are perfect if you’re learning how to find backlinks to a website on Google and want to go beyond basic manual search.

1. Google Search Console (For Your Site)

If you own the website, Google Search Console is a goldmine for backlink data.
Go to: https://search.google.com/search-console

• Navigate to Links > External Links.
• See your top-linked pages, linking sites, and anchor text.
• Export backlink data for analysis or outreach.

Bonus: Use this to detect spammy links or broken backlinks you may want to disavow.

2. Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker

Go to: https://ahrefs.com/backlink-checker

Ahrefs lets you check the top 100 backlinks to any website for free.

Features:

• See backlinks and referring domains.
• View anchor texts.
• Get domain rating (DR) and URL rating (UR).

Pro tip: Use it to validate backlinks you discovered manually via Google.

Read more: SEO PowerSuite vs Ahrefs: Don’t Pick Wrong

3. Ubersuggest by Neil Patel

Go to: https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/

Enter any domain to get:

• Number of backlinks and referring domains.
• Recent backlink gains/losses.
• Link growth trends.

It also includes a free Chrome extension that shows link data as you browse.

4. Moz Link Explorer (Free Version)

Go to: https://moz.com/link-explorer

Moz’s free version allows limited daily searches for:

• Top backlinks.
• Linking domains.
• Page authority (PA) and domain authority (DA).

Great for verifying the authority level of backlinks found through a Google search.

5. OpenLinkProfiler

Go to: https://www.openlinkprofiler.org/

This lesser-known free tool provides:

• A decent list of backlinks.
• Link freshness score.
• Link context (blogs, forums, etc.)

Ideal for smaller websites or if you’re on a budget.

Why Combine Google with Free Tools?

• Google finds raw mentions and link placements.
• Free tools give you the metrics and filters to prioritize your outreach.
• Together, they create a zero-cost backlink discovery system that rivals paid tools (at least for beginners).

Bonus: Chrome Extensions That Reveal Hidden Backlinks

Adding a few Chrome extensions to your toolkit can seriously speed up your workflow if you already use Google and free tools to find backlinks. 

These browser-based tools provide backlink insights while you browse, making it easier to analyze competitors, audit your site, and discover link opportunities on the fly.

These are especially useful if you’re learning how to find backlinks to a website on Google and want real-time data without constantly jumping between tools.

1. MozBar (by Moz)

What it does:
Displays Domain Authority (DA), Page Authority (PA), and link metrics directly in Google search results or on-page.

Best for:

• Instantly spotting high-authority linking domains.
• Analyzing SERPs during competitor research.
• Evaluating guest post opportunities.

Link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/mozbar/eakacpaijcpapndcfffdgphdiccmpknp

2. Ahrefs SEO Toolbar

What it does:
Shows URL rating, domain rating, number of backlinks, referring domains, and anchor text data.

Best for:

• On-page backlink analysis.
• Checking link metrics while browsing.
• Exporting link data from SERPs (with an Ahrefs account).

Link: https://ahrefs.com/seo-toolbar

3. Detailed SEO Extension

What it does:
Displays all outbound links on a page and highlights those that are followed vs. those that are nofollowed.

Best for:

• Backlink auditing.
  • Spotting internal/external link structure.
• Quick technical SEO checks.

Link: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/detailedseoextension/pfjdepjjfjjahkjfpkcgfmfhmnakjfba

4. Link Redirect Trace

What it does:
Traces redirect chains and shows the final destination URL, backlink data, and HTTP status codes.

Best for:

• Identifying redirect backlinks.
• Finding broken or outdated links.
• Disavowing bad or manipulated links.

Link: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/link-redirect-trace/ljdobmomdgdljniojadhoplhkpialdid

5. SEO Minion

What it does:
Highlights all links on a page, checks broken links, and shows on-page SEO data.

Best for:

• Link analysis during content audits.
• Broken link building strategies.
• Reviewing competitor pages for link structure.

Link: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/seo-minion/giihipjfimkajhlcilipnjeohabimjhi

Pro Tip:

Use these extensions while using Google search operators to assess backlink quality as you discover them instantly.

When Should You Use Paid Backlink Tools Instead?

While Google search operators and free tools are great for discovering backlinks, they come with limitations. 

If you’re serious about SEO growth, scaling outreach, or analyzing competitors in depth, you’ll eventually need to invest in paid backlink tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz Pro.

These platforms provide a complete backlink profile, powerful filters, and historical data that free methods can’t match.

So, when should you make the switch?

1. You Need a Complete and Accurate Backlink Profile

Free tools only show a sample of your backlinks, which are often outdated or incomplete.
Paid tools give you:

• Total backlink count.
• Referring domains & IPs.
• Link type (dofollow/nofollow).
• New, lost, or broken links.
• Anchor text variations.
• URL-level vs domain-level linking.

This is essential for serious audits, campaigns, or penalty recovery.

2. You Want to Outrank Competitors with Data-Driven Link Building

When you’re ready to beat your competitors, you’ll need to:

• Reverse-engineer their backlink profiles.
• Sort by DR/DA, traffic, and industry relevance.
• Identify high-authority targets for outreach.
• Track which content is earning them links— and do it better.

Ahrefs’ “Link Intersect” and Semrush’s “Backlink Gap” tools are gold for this.

3. You’re Actively Building Links at Scale

Manual Google searches work well for small projects, but if you’re doing outreach at scale, you’ll want:

• Automated link prospecting.
• Email discovery and outreach tools.
• Link monitoring alerts.
• CRM-like tracking for link campaigns.

Tools like BuzzStream, Pitchbox, or Respona integrate with backlink data for full-stack link building.

4. You Need Historical and Lost Link Data

If your rankings suddenly drop, you need to know:

• Which links did you lose?
• When and why did they disappear?
• How does that correlate with SEO performance?

Paid tools offer lost link tracking, link history, and date-based filters, essential for long-term SEO strategies.

5. You’re Managing SEO for Multiple Clients or Websites

Running an agency or handling several projects? Free tools won’t cut it.
Paid tools help you:

• Export data quickly.
• Report with white-label dashboards.
• Track backlink growth for multiple domains.

This level of reporting builds trust with clients and drives data-driven decisions.

Final Thoughts

Backlinks are the backbone of any successful SEO strategy. They build authority, improve rankings, and drive referral traffic. 

And while premium SEO tools offer advanced insights, learning how to find backlinks to a website on Google gives you a powerful head start without spending a dime.

From using search operators like intext: and site:, to setting up Google Alerts and leveraging free tools like Ahrefs’ Backlink Checker or Moz Link Explorer, you have everything you need to start uncovering backlink opportunities today.

You can use the same site: trick to find keywords on a website, which is helpful when analyzing SEO strategy without paid tools.

Whether auditing your site, tracking competitors, or planning your next outreach campaign, Google can be your first line of defense—and discovery.

FAQs

Need Help? Get a Free Backlink Audit from Our SEO Team

Finding backlinks manually is a great place to start — but if you want deeper insights, expert analysis, and a strategy tailored to your website, we’ve got you covered.

At ShahidShahmiri.com, we offer a free backlink audit to help you understand where your links are coming from, which ones are helping (or hurting), and how to build the kind of backlinks that move rankings.

What’s Included in Your Free Backlink Audit?

A complete backlink profile overview
Detection of spammy or toxic links
Competitive link comparison with key rivals
Personalized recommendations for SEO growth

 Ready to Rank Higher?

 Request Your Free Backlink Audit Now
📩 Or reach out directly via our contact form

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