link: operator was deprecated in 2017 and no longer works. To find backlinks today, use Google Search Console (free, your own sites only) or third-party tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Semrush. Once found, verify links are working with Backlink Checker Pro.
The Old Way Is Dead
link:yourwebsite.com used to show pages linking to your site. Google deprecated it in 2017. Whatever results you see now are incomplete and unreliable—maybe 5% of actual backlinks.
What Actually Works
Google Search Console (Free)
For your own sites only.
- Go to Google Search Console
- Select your property
- Click Links in sidebar
- See External links section
Shows:
- Top linked pages
- Top linking sites
- Top linking text (anchors)
Limitations: Sampling (not complete data), own sites only, no dofollow/nofollow info, delayed data.
The site: Operator (Still Works)
Not a backlink checker, but useful:
site:linkingwebsite.com "your brand name"
Shows pages on that site mentioning your brand. Helps verify if a guest post was published or find unlinked mentions.
Third-Party Tools
Ahrefs — Largest backlink database. Free tier (Ahrefs Webmaster Tools) for own sites.
Moz Link Explorer — 10 free queries/month. Good for beginners.
Semrush — All-in-one platform. Limited free queries.
Ubersuggest — Budget option. 3 free searches/day.
Majestic — Specializes in backlinks. Unique Trust Flow metric.
Discovery vs Verification
Finding backlinks is half the battle. You also need to verify:
- Does the link actually exist?
- Dofollow or nofollow?
- Is the page indexed?
- Can search engines see it?
That shiny report with 50 backlinks? Three months later, half might be gone, nofollow, or never existed.
Stop Trusting. Start Verifying.
Backlink Checker Pro verifies every link in seconds. Upload your report (PDF, CSV, Excel) and see:
- Whether the link exists
- Dofollow, nofollow, sponsored, or UGC
- Any issues affecting SEO value
Complete Workflow
For Your Own Website
- Start with Google Search Console
- Export the data
- Supplement with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools
- Verify important links
For Competitor Research
- Use third-party tool (Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz)
- Export their backlink list
- Find link opportunities
- Verify before outreach
For Verifying Deliverables
- Get the report from your SEO person
- Run through a backlink checker
- Flag missing or nofollow links
- Request replacements
Common Issues
- Link in tool but not on page — Removed after last crawl, or cached data
- Nofollow when should be dofollow — Many sites add nofollow by default
- Page blocked by robots.txt — Link exists but Google can’t see it
Does the link: operator still work?
No. Deprecated in 2017. Results are extremely incomplete. Use Google Search Console or third-party tools.
How do I check backlinks for free?
Google Search Console for your own sites. Ahrefs Webmaster Tools (free tier). Moz offers 10 free queries/month. Ubersuggest offers 3/day.
How long for new backlinks to appear in Search Console?
Days to weeks. Lower-authority sites might see delays of a month or more.
Can I see competitor backlinks?
Not through Google directly. Need third-party tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz. GSC only shows your own sites.