How to Find New Backlinks My Site Received: Step-by-Step Guide to Track Link Gains
How to Find New Backlinks My Site Received: A Complete DIY Guide for SEO Wins
Introduction: New Backlinks Are SEO Gold—If You Know Where to Find Them
Ever wonder who’s linking to your website after a guest post, viral article, or press mention?
You’ve put in the work—created high-quality content, built connections, maybe even ran a few campaigns. But if you don’t know how to find new backlinks your site received, you’re leaving SEO insights and opportunities on the table.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to find backlinks to a page, track new links as they come in, check site backlinks with Google, and even find relevant backlinks from your competitors. Let’s make your backlink tracking effortless—and powerful.
Tool Name | Best For | Key Features | Pricing | Ideal For |
---|---|---|---|---|
Google Search Console | Free backlink tracking | Shows top linking sites, links to specific pages, exportable data | Free | Beginners & site owners using Google SEO |
Ahrefs | Deep link analysis | Tracks new/lost backlinks, anchor text, DR/UR metrics, filters | Paid (from $99/mo) | SEO professionals, agencies |
Ubersuggest | Affordable backlink insights | Shows new backlinks, competitor links, link types, domain score | Free (limited) / Paid | Bloggers, small businesses |
Moz Link Explorer | Domain & page-level link checking | New/lost links, DA, spam score, page-level insights | Limited Free / Paid | Marketers, SEOs managing content strategy |
Google Alerts | Monitoring brand mentions | Sends alerts for mentions of your brand or site URL | Free | Brand monitoring & link reclamation |
Mention.com | Real-time alerts & social tracking | Tracks brand mentions across web + social, email digests | Paid (varies by plan) | PR teams, SEO outreach professionals |
SE Ranking | Competitive link monitoring | Monitors backlinks, keyword rankings, detailed site audits | Paid | SMBs & in-house SEO teams |
Monitor Backlinks | Visual backlink reporting | Email alerts for new backlinks, disavow tool, link quality checker | Paid | SEO freelancers & solo marketers |
Majestic SEO | Historical backlink data | Trust Flow, Citation Flow, backlink profile over time | Paid | Technical SEOs, link profile analysts |
Linkody | Easy-to-use link manager | Monitors new/lost links, DA/Spam Score, daily reports | Paid (from $14.90/mo) | SMBs, bloggers, link builders |
Why You Should Monitor New Backlinks
Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.”
The Benefits of Tracking New Backlinks:
Measure SEO campaign success
Identify link-worthy content
Spot unexpected mentions (like unlinked brand references)
Build relationships with sites linking to you
Disavow toxic links quickly
Whether you’re building backlinks actively or passively attracting them, knowing who’s linking to your site helps you make smarter, more strategic moves.
How to Find New Backlinks My Site Received (Step-by-Step)
Let’s dive into the practical ways to check backlinks using free and paid tools.
1. Use Google Search Console (Free & Reliable)
If you want to check site backlinks Google-style, this should be your first stop.
How to Do It:
Go to Google Search Console
Click on your property
In the sidebar, click “Links”
Under “Top linking sites,” click “More” to see external backlinks
Export the list to track changes over time
This method shows you all the links Google knows about—but it may not reflect the most recent ones immediately.
2. Track New Backlinks with Ahrefs (Paid, Powerful)
Ahrefs is the gold standard for backlink analysis, and their “New Backlinks” feature is made for this.
Steps:
Login to Ahrefs and enter your domain
Go to Backlink profile > New
Choose your date range (daily, weekly, monthly)
Filter by backlink type (dofollow/nofollow)
You can see the exact URL, anchor text, linking page authority, and even compare trends over time.
📝 Use Case: You published a blog last week and want to track who picked it up—Ahrefs will show you each new backlink your site received in real time.
3. Use Ubersuggest (Free + Freemium Option)
Ubersuggest is an accessible tool for marketers looking for a budget-friendly way to find relevant backlinks and track new ones.
Here’s How:
Go to Ubersuggest
Enter your domain
Click on Backlinks
Filter by New or Lost
Export to CSV for tracking
While not as robust as Ahrefs, it’s a solid place to start if you want a snapshot of your backlink profile.
4. Moz Link Explorer (Check Domain or Page-Level Backlinks)
Another reliable tool for seeing how to find backlinks to a page specifically is Moz.
Steps:
Visit Moz Link Explorer
Enter your exact URL
View Inbound Links > Filter by Newest
Check DA (Domain Authority) and spam score
Great for analyzing individual pages and spotting trends in relevant backlinks from trusted sources.
5. Monitor Brand Mentions with Google Alerts or Mention
Sometimes a site links to you—and you don’t even know it. Setting up brand or domain alerts helps you track unlinked or new backlinks automatically.
How To:
Go to Google Alerts
Create alerts for:
your domain (e.g., example.com)
your brand name
unique blog titles
Use Mention.com for more detailed reports
Bonus: If someone mentions you without linking, you can reach out and ask for a backlink. That’s a quick win.
Table: Best Tools to Track New Backlinks
Tool | Type | Key Features | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Google Search Console | Free | Official Google data, link insights, exports | Free |
Ahrefs | Paid | New/lost link tracking, anchor text, authority, filters | Paid (from $99/mo) |
Ubersuggest | Freemium | Quick backlink overview, exportable data, competitor spying | Free / Paid |
Moz Link Explorer | Freemium | Domain/Page-level analysis, spam score | Limited Free Use |
Google Alerts | Free | Tracks brand or URL mentions online | Free |
Mention | Paid | Real-time alerts, social media + backlink monitoring | Paid |
Pro Tips for Finding Relevant Backlinks from Competitors
Want to see what’s working for others in your niche? Use backlink tools to spy on your competitors and find relevant backlinks you can replicate.
How:
Plug your competitor’s URL into Ahrefs, Moz, or Ubersuggest
Filter for dofollow + recent links
Reach out to those domains with better content or updated resources
This strategy helps you create backlink-worthy content and tap into link sources you might not have discovered organically.
Common Mistakes When Checking Backlinks (and How to Avoid Them)
🚫 Mistake 1: Ignoring nofollow links entirely
➡️ Even nofollow links can drive traffic and lead to natural dofollow links.
🚫 Mistake 2: Focusing only on total backlink count
➡️ Quality matters more. Ten high-authority backlinks beat 100 low-value ones.
🚫 Mistake 3: Not checking for toxic links
➡️ Use tools to disavow spammy links that could damage your SEO.
1. How can I find new backlinks my site received?
To find new backlinks your site received, use tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest. These platforms track inbound links and show when and where they were gained. Google Search Console offers free, verified data, while paid tools provide deeper insights.
2. How do I check site backlinks using Google?
You can check site backlinks Google provides by logging into Google Search Console, selecting your site, and navigating to the “Links” section. Here, you’ll find external links pointing to your site, top linking domains, and the pages receiving the most links.
3. What’s the best tool to track new backlinks in real-time?
Ahrefs and Moz Pro are among the best tools for real-time backlink tracking. They show new and lost backlinks by date, source domain, anchor text, and authority. This helps you react quickly to any new mentions or spot negative SEO risks.
4. Can I track backlinks to a specific page on my website?
Yes. To find backlinks to a page, enter the specific page URL into tools like Moz Link Explorer, Ahrefs Site Explorer, or Ubersuggest. These tools show which domains link to that page, when the link appeared, and how valuable it is based on metrics like DA or DR.
5. Why is it important to find relevant backlinks?
Relevant backlinks come from websites within your niche or related industries. They improve SEO more than random links because search engines recognize the contextual relationship. Relevance boosts authority, trust, and keyword visibility.
6. How often should I check new backlinks to my site?
Check new backlinks weekly or monthly, depending on your SEO activity. If you run a backlink campaign or a PR push, track links daily using tools like Ahrefs or SE Ranking. Regular monitoring helps assess ROI and spot negative links early.
7. Can I get alerts when my website gets new backlinks?
Yes. Use Google Alerts or tools like Mention.com, Ahrefs Alerts, or Monitor Backlinks to get real-time notifications. Set alerts for your domain name, brand, or content titles to catch new mentions and backlink opportunities instantly.
8. What does “new backlink” mean in SEO?
A new backlink is a hyperlink from another website to your own that was recently created or discovered. These links can result from content sharing, guest posting, digital PR, or naturally earned backlinks from valuable content.
9. Is Google Search Console enough to track all my backlinks?
Google Search Console is a great free tool, but it may not show every backlink due to limited data sampling. For more accurate and complete backlink tracking, combine it with premium tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Majestic SEO.
10. How do I know if a new backlink is high quality?
To identify high-quality backlinks, check:
Domain Authority (DA) or Domain Rating (DR)
Relevance to your niche
Placement within content (contextual vs. footer/sidebar)
Dofollow vs. nofollow status
Anchor text naturalness
Tools like Ahrefs and Moz score backlink quality for easy evaluation.
11. Can I track competitor backlinks too?
Absolutely. Use tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Ubersuggest to find relevant backlinks pointing to competitor sites. This helps you discover linking strategies, target domains, and content ideas worth replicating or improving.
12. What should I do after finding a new backlink?
After discovering a new backlink:
Verify if it’s dofollow or nofollow
Thank the linker (if applicable) to build relationships
Analyze the page and its authority
Track the traffic and SEO impact
Disavow it if it’s toxic or spammy
13. How can I export my site’s backlink data?
Most SEO tools let you export backlink reports in CSV or Excel format. In Google Search Console, use the “Export External Links” feature. In Ahrefs or Moz, click “Export” on your backlink report dashboard to download data for analysis or reporting.
14. Are all new backlinks shown immediately in tools?
No. There’s often a lag time between when a backlink is created and when it’s discovered by tools. For example, Google Search Console may take a few days to weeks to detect a new link. Paid tools like Ahrefs update daily or even hourly.
15. How do I monitor lost backlinks along with new ones?
Most backlink tracking tools also show lost backlinks alongside new ones. In Ahrefs, go to Backlink profile > Lost. This helps you recover lost links, investigate broken pages, and prevent link decay, which is crucial for maintaining SEO strength.
Conclusion: You Can’t Improve What You Don’t Track
Backlinks are the lifeblood of SEO—but knowing how to find new backlinks your site received is just as important as building them.
Let’s recap:
Use Google Search Console for free, reliable link data
Upgrade to Ahrefs or Moz for in-depth, real-time backlink tracking
Use alerts and competitor tools to find more opportunities
Analyze both quality and relevance—not just quantity
Stay consistent with monthly tracking and backlink audits
Have a favorite way to track backlinks? Or found a backlink from an unexpected source? Share your wins in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.
The Secret to Ranking Higher: Why Directory Submission Services Matter