You don’t need to spend $100+/month to check backlinks. Ahrefs and SEMrush have massive databases and enterprise features, but for basic competitor research or link verification, free options work.
The key: understanding that “backlink checking” means two different things.
Why Free Backlink Checkers Exist
Big SEO platforms offer free tools as lead generation. They want you hooked on their data, then subscribing. This means:
- The data is real — not garbage
- There are limits — enough to be useful, not enough to replace a subscription
- Some features are locked — export, historical data, full results
For many use cases, free tiers are genuinely sufficient.
The Best Free Backlink Checker Tools
1. Google Search Console
The most underrated backlink tool. Go to Links in the sidebar to see top linking sites, top linked pages, and anchor text distribution. Data comes directly from Google — no crawler delays. Can't spy on competitors, but for your own site it's unbeatable.
2. Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker
Largest backlink database in the industry. Enter any domain and see Domain Rating, total backlinks, referring domains, and the top 100 backlinks with dofollow/nofollow status. No historical data — you're seeing a sample, not the full picture. Best for quick competitor checks.
3. Moz Link Explorer
More generous data depth, stingy on quantity. Each query shows Domain Authority, linking domains, inbound links, and Spam Score. The Spam Score helps identify potentially toxic backlinks. Use your 10 queries wisely — save them for important checks.
4. Ubersuggest
Clean, beginner-friendly interface. Shows Domain Score, backlink count, referring domains, and sample backlinks. Database isn't as comprehensive as Ahrefs or Moz, but perfect for beginners who want simple data.
5. OpenLinkProfiler
Shows active backlinks, unique domains, link influence score, and anchor text distribution. Smaller database misses links that bigger tools catch, but useful for unlimited quick checks when you've exhausted other tools.
Discovery vs. Verification: The Critical Difference
Most articles miss this entirely.
Discovery tools (Ahrefs, Moz, SEMrush) crawl the internet and build databases. When you query them, you’re searching their database — not the live internet. New links might not appear for weeks. Removed links might still show up.
Verification tools check specific URLs right now to confirm:
- The link actually exists
- It points to the correct destination
- The rel attribute (dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, ugc)
- The page is accessible to search engines
Example: An SEO agency claims they built 50 backlinks. You check Ahrefs — only 20 show up. Are they lying? Not necessarily. Ahrefs might not have crawled those pages yet.
Or worse: Ahrefs shows the links, but they’ve been removed. Discovery tools show phantom links that no longer exist.
Verification solves this by checking actual pages in real-time.
When to Use Each
Discovery Tools When:
- Researching competitor backlink profiles
- Finding link building opportunities
- Getting an overview of any domain’s link landscape
Verification Tools When:
- Confirming links in an SEO report actually exist
- Checking if purchased links are live
- Verifying link attributes (dofollow vs nofollow)
- Making sure guest post links are still there
Most SEO professionals need both. Discovery tells you what might exist; verification confirms what actually exists.
Verify Your Backlinks
Backlink Checker Pro validates whether the links in your reports actually exist.
- Link existence — is the link on the page?
- Dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, or UGC status
- Page accessibility — noindex, bot blocks, errors
Free to use.
Check Your BacklinksOr grab the Chrome Extension for browser-based verification.
Maximizing Free Tools
Combine multiple tools. Each has different databases and limitations:
- Start with Google Search Console for your own sites
- Use Ahrefs Free for competitor checks
- Cross-reference Moz for spam scores (save queries for important checks)
- Use Ubersuggest for daily small checks
Prioritize Google Search Console. Completely free, no limits, shows exactly what Google sees. For your own backlink profile, it’s arguably better than paid tools.
Export manually when needed. Can’t export? Copy-paste into a spreadsheet. Tedious, but works for small datasets.
Free Tool Limitations
Be realistic about what you’re getting:
- Incomplete data — You see the top results, not everything
- Database staleness — Data may be weeks old
- No historical tracking — Requires paid plans
- No export — Usually locked
- Query restrictions — Hit the limit, you wait
For hobby projects or occasional research, these limitations are fine. For client work, you’ll hit walls.
When to Upgrade
- You’re doing client work and need complete data
- You hit limits constantly
- You need historical data
- Manual workarounds take too long
Ahrefs at $99/month is reasonable if it saves hours and improves decisions. But don’t pay if free tools meet your needs.
What is the best free backlink checker?
For your own site: Google Search Console (free, unlimited, authoritative). For any domain: Ahrefs Free (largest database, 100 backlinks). For detailed analysis: Moz (10 monthly queries with spam scores).
Is there a completely free backlink checker with no limits?
Google Search Console has no limits for sites you own. OpenLinkProfiler has no limits but a smaller database. For competitor research, all major tools have limits on their free tiers.
How accurate are free backlink checkers?
Free checkers use the same databases as paid versions — the data is accurate, just limited. Main issue: freshness. Discovery tools crawl periodically, so new links appear late and removed links still show. For real-time accuracy, use verification tools.
What's the difference between discovery and verification tools?
Discovery tools (Ahrefs, Moz) maintain databases of found links. Verification tools check specific URLs in real-time to confirm links exist and are configured correctly. Discovery shows what might exist; verification confirms what actually exists now.
How do I check backlinks in Google Search Console?
Go to Links in the left sidebar. You'll see External links showing top linked pages, top linking sites, and linking text. Click any section for details. Only works for sites you've verified.