Backlink analysis using Semrush helps you understand which websites link to your site, which links may be risky, and where new link opportunities exist. For beginner SEO practitioners, bloggers, solo founders, and niche site owners, this process gives you a clear view of your backlink profile without guessing.
In this guide, you will learn how to do backlink analysis using Semrush with simple steps. We will cover Semrush Backlink Analytics, Semrush Backlink Audit, Semrush Backlink Gap, referring domains, anchor text, and competitor backlinks.
What Is Backlink Analysis Using Semrush?
Backlink analysis using Semrush is the process of checking the links that point to your website or a competitor’s website inside Semrush SEO tools. These links are also called backlinks, inbound links, or external links.
However, the goal is not only to count backlinks. Instead, you should review link quality, referring domains, anchor text, authority, and risk. Because of this, Semrush backlink analysis is useful for both link building and backlink cleanup.
For example, a link from a trusted niche blog can be more useful than many links from unrelated websites. Therefore, the main goal is to find links that support your SEO growth, not just increase link numbers.
Why Backlink Analysis Using Semrush Matters
Backlink analysis using Semrush matters because backlinks can affect how search engines understand trust, authority, and relevance. In addition, backlinks can bring referral traffic when real users click from another website to yours.
Semrush makes this easier by grouping backlink data into practical reports. For example, the Semrush Backlink Analytics tool helps you review backlinks, referring domains, Authority Score, anchor text, and competitor data in one place.
As a result, you can make better SEO decisions. Instead of building random links, you can focus on stronger link opportunities, remove risky patterns, and compare your website with competitors.
Semrush Tools You Need for Backlink Analysis
Before starting, it helps to understand the main tools inside Semrush. Each tool has a different purpose, so beginners should use them in the right order.
Here are the key tools:
| Semrush Tool | Best Use |
| Semrush Backlink Analytics tool | Check backlink profile, referring domains, anchors, and competitors |
| Semrush Backlink Audit tool | Review risky links, toxic score, lost links, and broken links |
| Semrush Backlink Gap tool | Find domains linking to competitors but not you |
| Semrush domain overview | Get a quick view of a website’s SEO performance |
| Semrush link building tool | Manage outreach prospects and link-building workflow |
In addition, Semrush Backlink Gap can compare up to five competing websites. This is useful when you want to find backlink opportunities from several competitors at once.
How to Do Backlink Analysis Using Semrush
Step 1: Open Semrush Backlink Analytics
Start by opening the Semrush Backlink Analytics tool. Then, enter your domain to see your backlink overview.
This report gives you a quick summary of backlinks, referring domains, Authority Score, and backlink trends. In addition, you can use it to check Semrush competitor backlinks by entering a competitor domain instead of your own.
For beginners, start with your own website first. After that, compare your data with one or two competitor websites.
Step 2: Review Your Backlink Overview
Next, look at the backlink overview. Focus on the total number of backlinks, referring domains, Authority Score, and link growth over time.
However, do not judge your website only by backlink count. One referring domain can send many backlinks, so referring domains often give a cleaner view of your link profile.
For example, 500 backlinks from 10 websites may be less valuable than 100 backlinks from 80 relevant websites. Therefore, always check quality and diversity, not only volume.
Step 3: Check the Semrush Referring Domains Report
After reviewing the overview, open the Semrush referring domains report. This report shows the unique websites linking to your domain.
Referring domains are important because they help you understand where your authority is coming from. In addition, this report can show whether your backlinks come from relevant websites or random low-quality sources.
Look for patterns such as:
- Industry blogs linking to your content
- Directories or profile pages
- Partner websites
- Resource pages
- News mentions
- Unrelated or suspicious domains
If a domain looks relevant and trustworthy, keep it on your good-link list. In contrast, if it looks spammy or unrelated, mark it for deeper review.
Step 4: Review the Semrush Anchor Text Report
Next, check the Semrush anchor text report. Anchor text is the clickable text used in a backlink.
A natural backlink profile usually includes brand names, URLs, article titles, and related phrases. However, too many keyword-heavy anchors can look unnatural.
For example, if many websites link to you with the exact same commercial keyword, review those links carefully. Because of this, anchor text analysis helps you find both SEO opportunities and possible risk signals.
Step 5: Use Semrush Backlink Audit
Now move to the Semrush Backlink Audit tool. This tool helps you review backlink health, toxic links, broken backlinks, and potentially risky patterns.
Semrush uses a toxic score, shown as Toxicity Score, to help identify links that may need attention. However, do not remove or disavow links just because a tool marks them as risky.
Instead, review the linking page manually. If the site is clearly spammy, unrelated, or manipulative, then you can decide whether to contact the site owner, remove the link, or prepare a disavow file.
Step 6: Check Semrush Lost Backlinks and New Backlinks
Backlink analysis using Semrush should also include lost and new backlinks. New backlinks show which websites recently linked to you, while Semrush lost backlinks show links that disappeared.
This is useful because lost backlinks may affect important pages. For example, if a strong website removed a link to your guide, you may want to check whether your page changed, moved, or became outdated.
Meanwhile, Semrush new backlinks can show which content is attracting attention. As a result, you can update those pages, add internal links, and create related content.
Step 7: Use Semrush Backlink Gap for Competitor Research
After checking your own backlink profile, use the Semrush Backlink Gap tool. This tool compares your website with competitors and shows referring domains that link to them but not you.
This is one of the fastest ways to find link building opportunities. If a website links to several competitor websites, it may also be interested in your content.
Use this simple process:
- Enter your domain.
- Add three to four competitor domains.
- Review referring domains shared by competitors.
- Filter out irrelevant or spammy websites.
- Save the best prospects for outreach.
Because of this, Backlink Gap works well for competitor backlink analysis and SEO competitor analysis tools workflows.
How to Prioritize Backlink Opportunities
Once you have backlink data, do not contact every website. Instead, score each opportunity before outreach.
Use this simple checklist:
- Is the website relevant to your niche?
- Does it have a clear audience?
- Does the link appear inside useful content?
- Is the Authority Score reasonable?
- Does the page have organic traffic potential?
- Can you offer a helpful resource?
In addition, compare your findings with the Semrush organic traffic report. If a linking page gets search traffic, the backlink may offer more value than a link on a page nobody visits.
Common Mistakes When Using Semrush Backlink Analysis
Many beginners make backlink analysis using Semrush too complicated. Instead, focus on a few useful reports and take action from the data.
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Looking only at total backlinks
- Ignoring referring domains
- Trusting toxic score without manual review
- Disavowing links too quickly
- Ignoring anchor text patterns
- Copying every competitor backlink
- Not checking Semrush lost backlinks
- Forgetting to track outreach status
In contrast, use Semrush as a decision-making tool. The best results come when you combine tool data with manual quality checks.
Simple Semrush Backlink Analysis Workflow
Use this workflow once a month:
- Open Semrush Backlink Analytics.
- Review backlinks and referring domains.
- Check the Semrush anchor text report.
- Run Semrush Backlink Audit.
- Review toxic links manually.
- Check new backlinks and lost backlinks.
- Use Semrush Backlink Gap for competitor research.
- Export your best link opportunities.
- Add outreach status in a spreadsheet.
This keeps your backlink process simple. In addition, it helps you build a cleaner and stronger backlink profile over time.
FAQs About Backlink Analysis Using Semrush
What is backlink analysis using Semrush?
Backlink analysis using Semrush is the process of reviewing your backlinks, referring domains, anchor text, link quality, and competitor backlink opportunities using Semrush SEO tools.
How do I check backlinks in Semrush?
Open the Semrush Backlink Analytics tool, enter your domain, and review the backlink overview. Then, check referring domains, anchors, indexed pages, and competitor backlink data.
What is Semrush Backlink Audit?
Semrush Backlink Audit is a tool that helps review backlink health, toxic score, broken backlinks, new backlinks, and lost backlinks. However, you should manually check risky links before taking action.
What is Semrush Backlink Gap?
Semrush Backlink Gap is a tool that compares your backlink profile with competitor websites. It helps you find referring domains that link to competitors but not to your site.
Should I remove toxic backlinks in Semrush?
Do not remove links only because a tool flags them. Instead, review each link manually and only take action if the backlink is clearly spammy, manipulative, or harmful.
Is Semrush good for beginner backlink analysis?
Yes, Semrush is useful for beginners because it organizes backlink data into clear reports. However, beginners should start with Backlink Analytics, Backlink Audit, and Backlink Gap before using advanced reports.
Conclusion
Backlink analysis using Semrush gives you a clear way to understand your backlink profile, review link quality, and find better link opportunities. Start with Semrush Backlink Analytics, check referring domains, review anchor text, then use Semrush Backlink Audit to inspect risky links.
After that, use Semrush Backlink Gap to compare your site with competitors and find websites that may link to you. As a result, backlink analysis using Semrush becomes a practical workflow for improving your link building strategy.
If you want feedback on your SEO workflow, join the Scale Xpert Discord community here.
