Learning how to check backlinks on Google is useful when you want to understand who links to your website. Many beginners try to search their domain on Google, but normal Google Search is not the best place to find backlink data. Instead, the better free option is Google Search Console.
Google Search Console has a Links report where you can review external links, internal links, top linked pages, top linking sites, and common anchor text. Because of this, it is a helpful starting point for checking your backlink profile and improving your link building strategy. However, it is also important to understand its limits.
Can You Check Backlinks Directly on Google?
You cannot fully check backlinks directly through normal Google Search. Searching your domain may show some mentions, indexed pages, or pages that include your brand name. However, it will not give you a clean backlink report.
To check backlinks on Google properly, use Google Search Console. Google says Search Console tools and reports help site owners measure Search traffic, review performance, fix issues, and improve their presence in Google Search. This makes it a useful free SEO tool for beginners.
For backlink analysis, the Links report is the most relevant area. It helps you understand which pages get linked, which sites link to you, and how your internal links are distributed.
What Is the Google Search Console Links Report?
The Google Search Console links report is a section inside Search Console that shows a sample of your site’s internal and external links. Google’s help documentation explains that the report is designed to help you understand your overall link profile, although some URLs may be omitted for different reasons.
This means Google Search Console backlinks data is useful, but it is not always complete. Therefore, you should treat it as a practical overview, not as a full backlink checker like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz.
In the Links report, you can usually review:
- External links
- Internal links
- Top linked pages
- Top linking sites
- Top linking text
- Exportable link data
For beginners, this is enough to start understanding backlink quality and link patterns.
How to Check Backlinks on Google Search Console Step by Step
If you want to know how to check backlinks on Google, follow this simple process. Before you start, make sure your website is verified in Google Search Console. Otherwise, you will not see private site data.
Step 1: Open Google Search Console
Go to Google Search Console and log in with the Google account connected to your website. Then, choose the correct property. If you have both domain and URL-prefix properties, use the one that covers your full website.
A domain property is usually better because it can include all subdomains and protocols. However, beginners can still use a URL-prefix property if that is what they already verified.
Step 2: Select Your Website Property
After logging in, select your website from the property list. Make sure you choose the correct version of your site. For example, https://example.com and http://example.com may be treated differently in some setups.
This step matters because backlink data is property-specific. As a result, choosing the wrong property can make your backlink profile look incomplete.
Step 3: Open the Links Report
In the left menu, scroll down and click Links. This is where you can check backlinks in Google Search Console. You will see sections for external links and internal links.
External links are backlinks from other websites. Internal links are links from one page on your website to another page on the same website. Both are useful, but external links are the main focus for backlink analysis.
Step 4: Review External Links
Start with the external links section. Look at which pages receive the most backlinks. These are your top linked pages.
For example, your homepage may have the most external links. However, you may also find blog posts, guides, tools, or resource pages that attract links. Because of this, the report can show which content already has link authority.
Step 5: Check Top Linked Pages
Top linked pages show which URLs on your website receive the most external links. This helps you understand what type of content attracts SEO backlinks.
If a guide receives many links, review why it works. Maybe it has useful data, a clear checklist, or a helpful explanation. Then, use that insight to create more linkable content.
Step 6: Review Top Linking Sites
Top linking sites show which websites link to your website most often. These are sometimes called linking domains or referring domains. However, remember that Google Search Console may show a sample, not every link on the web.
Review these sites carefully. If they are relevant and trustworthy, they may support your off-page SEO. In contrast, if you see unrelated or spammy sites, add them to your backlink audit notes.
Step 7: Check Top Linking Text
Top linking text shows the anchor text other websites use when linking to you. Anchor text can help you understand how other sites describe your page.
Look for natural patterns. Branded anchor text, page titles, and descriptive phrases are usually normal. However, if you see too many exact-match commercial keywords, review the links more carefully.
Step 8: Export Your Backlink Data
Google Search Console lets you export link data. Use this if you want to organize your backlink analysis in Google Sheets or Excel.
After exporting, create columns for page type, linking domain, relevance, anchor text, and action notes. As a result, you can turn raw backlink data into a practical backlink strategy.
What Backlink Data Can You See in Google Search Console?
Google Search Console backlinks data can help you answer basic SEO questions. For example, you can see which pages attract the most external links and which websites link to you often.
You can use the report to check:
- Which pages have the most backlinks
- Which websites link to you
- Which anchor text appears often
- Which internal links support important pages
- Which pages may need more link building
- Which links should be reviewed during a backlink audit
In addition, you can compare backlink data with search performance. If a page has many backlinks but low organic traffic, review search intent, content quality, and internal links. Meanwhile, if a page has good impressions but few backlinks, it may need more content promotion or manual outreach.
What Google Search Console Does Not Show
Google Search Console is useful, but it does not show everything. Since the Links report provides a sample, some backlinks may not appear. Therefore, do not panic if another backlink checker shows different numbers.
It also does not provide the same advanced metrics as paid SEO tools. For example, you may not see domain authority, page authority, toxic backlinks, lost backlinks, new backlinks, or competitor backlink data in the same way.
Because of this, use Search Console as your free starting point. Then, use other SEO tools when you need deeper backlink analysis, competitor research, or link building opportunities.
How to Use Backlink Data for Link Building Strategy
After you check backlinks on Google, turn the data into action. Start by identifying your strongest linked pages. Then, ask why those pages earned links.
For example, if your checklist attracts backlinks, create more checklists around related topics. If your homepage gets most links but your blog gets few, improve your content promotion plan. As a result, your link building strategy becomes based on real data.
You can also use the report for manual outreach. If a relevant website already links to you, you may build a relationship with them. In addition, you can pitch updated content, guest post ideas, or related resources when it makes sense.
Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Many beginners check backlinks once and then ignore the report. However, backlink profiles change over time. Therefore, review your links every month or at least every quarter.
Avoid these mistakes:
- Thinking Google Search Console shows every backlink
- Ignoring internal links
- Focusing only on link quantity
- Forgetting to review anchor text
- Treating all backlinks as quality backlinks
- Ignoring toxic backlinks or suspicious patterns
- Not connecting link data with search performance
Instead, use the report as a simple SEO habit. Because of this, you can spot useful patterns earlier and make better backlink decisions.
FAQs About How to Check Backlinks on Google
Can I check backlinks on Google for free?
Yes, you can check backlinks for free using Google Search Console. The Links report shows external links, internal links, top linked pages, top linking sites, and top linking text.
How do I check backlinks in Google Search Console?
Open Google Search Console, select your website property, and click Links in the left menu. Then, review external links, top linked pages, and top linking sites.
Does Google Search Console show all backlinks?
No, Google Search Console may not show every backlink. Google’s Links report gives a sample of links, so other backlink checker tools may show different data.
What are external links in Google Search Console?
External links are links from other websites to your website. In SEO, these are usually called backlinks or inbound links.
What are internal links in Google Search Console?
Internal links are links from one page on your website to another page on the same website. They help users and search engines navigate your content.
Should I use other backlink tools too?
Yes, you can use other SEO tools if you need deeper backlink analysis. However, Google Search Console is a good free starting point for beginners.
Conclusion
Knowing how to check backlinks on Google helps you understand your website’s backlink profile without paying for advanced tools. The best free method is to use the Google Search Console links report, where you can review external links, internal links, top linked pages, top linking sites, and anchor text.
However, Google Search Console backlinks data should be used as a starting point, not a complete backlink database. Therefore, combine it with content review, search performance checks, and a simple backlink audit. As a result, your link building strategy becomes more practical and data-based.
If you want to learn more about backlink strategy, link building, SEO backlinks, and off-page SEO, join the Scale Xpert Discord community here.
