10 Free Backlink Checker Tools for Beginners

Are you just starting out in SEO and want to know who’s linking to your website without spending a rupee? Free backlink checker tools can reveal hidden opportunities, spot toxic links, and help you outrank your competition all without touching your wallet.

I’m Riten, founder of Fueler, a platform that helps freelancers and professionals get hired by showcasing their real work through assignments. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best free backlink checker tools for beginners. But remember, using these tools is only half the battle how you present your SEO wins matters just as much. Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of links, it’s your proof of skill, your credibility, and your shortcut to trust with clients and companies.

1. Semrush Backlink Checker (Free Version)

Semrush is a leading SEO platform with a massive backlink database and real-time updates. The free version allows you to check your site’s backlinks, referring domains, and even analyze competitors. Its interface is simple, making it easy for newcomers to understand their link profile and spot areas for improvement. You also get a toxicity score to catch harmful links early.

• Large backlink database with live updates
• Referring domain and anchor text analysis
• Toxicity score for harmful links
• Competitor backlink comparison

Pricing:

• Free plan: Limited searches and data per day
• Paid plans: Start at $129.95/month for full access

Why it matters: Semrush helps beginners quickly identify valuable and risky backlinks, which is essential for building a strong SEO foundation and avoiding penalties.

2. Ubersuggest

Ubersuggest by Neil Patel is a free tool that lets you check backlinks, referring domains, and link types. Its dashboard is clean and easy to use, making it ideal for those just starting out. Ubersuggest also provides competitor analysis, so you can see how your site stacks up. The tool is updated regularly to ensure you have the latest data.

• Backlink and referring domain count
• Dofollow and nofollow link breakdown
• Competitor backlink analysis

Pricing:

• Free plan: Limited daily searches
• Paid plans: Start at $12/month for more data and features

Why it matters: Ubersuggest gives beginners a simple way to track their backlinks and learn from competitors, helping them improve their SEO strategies step by step.

3. Ahrefs Free Backlink Checker

Ahrefs offers a free version of its powerful backlink checker, showing the top 100 backlinks to any domain. You can view anchor text, referring domains, and authority scores. The tool is fast and reliable, giving you a taste of professional-grade SEO analysis without a subscription.

• Top 100 backlinks per domain
• Anchor text and referring domain data
• Domain and URL authority metrics

Pricing:

• Free: Top 100 backlinks per domain
• Paid plans: Start at $129/month for full access

Why it matters: Ahrefs’ free tool allows beginners to access high-quality backlink data, making it easier to understand what drives authority and rankings.

4. SE Ranking Free Backlink Checker

SE Ranking’s free tool provides a comprehensive look at your backlink profile, including trust scores, toxicity, and broken links. The interface is intuitive, and you can track new, lost, and broken backlinks. It’s a great option for those who want a deeper analysis without paying upfront.

• Trust and toxicity scores for backlinks
• New, lost, and broken backlink tracking
• Referring domain insights

Pricing:

• Free: Basic reports and limited searches
• Paid plans: Start at $55/month after a 14-day free trial

Why it matters: SE Ranking helps beginners spot both valuable and harmful backlinks, supporting a healthier and more effective link-building strategy.

5. SEO SpyGlass (Free Version)

SEO SpyGlass lets you analyze unlimited backlinks for free, offering details on anchor text, link types, and backlink history. While export options are limited, the tool is perfect for beginners who want to see trends and patterns in their backlink profile.

• Unlimited backlink checks
• Anchor text and link type analysis
• Backlink history and trends

Pricing:

• Free: Unlimited checks, limited export
• Paid plans: Start at €99/year for advanced features

Why it matters: SEO SpyGlass enables beginners to monitor backlink growth over time, making it easier to adjust strategies and spot opportunities.

6. BacklinkManager.io

BacklinkManager.io provides a free backlink checker with export options and competitor insights. It covers both dofollow and nofollow links, making it easy to track your link-building progress. The platform is simple, so beginners can get started quickly.

• Exportable backlink reports
• Dofollow and nofollow distinction
• Competitor backlink analysis

Pricing:

• Free: Basic features and limited data
• Paid plans: Start at $49/month for more advanced options

Why it matters: BacklinkManager.io helps beginners organize and share backlink data, supporting smarter and more strategic SEO efforts.

7. Google Search Console

Google Search Console is a free tool from Google that lists the backlinks it recognizes. It’s essential for monitoring your site’s link profile and spotting issues that could affect your rankings. The tool also integrates with Google Analytics for deeper insights.

• Free backlink data from Google
• Integration with Google Analytics
• Alerts for manual actions or penalties

Pricing:

• Free for all users

Why it matters: Google Search Console ensures you see the links Google values, which is critical for maintaining a healthy SEO profile and fixing issues early.

8. Moz Link Explorer (Free Version)

Moz Link Explorer’s free version lets you check a limited number of backlinks and view Domain Authority scores. It’s a good starting point for understanding your site’s link profile and learning about link quality.

• Domain Authority and Page Authority scores
• Limited backlink checks per month
• Spam score analysis

Pricing:

• Free: 10 queries per month
• Paid plans: Start at $99/month for full access

Why it matters: Moz Link Explorer introduces beginners to important SEO metrics and helps them spot low-quality links that could harm rankings.

9. RankWatch Free Backlink Checker

RankWatch offers a free backlink checker with information on referring domains, anchor texts, and link types. It’s designed for quick, easy checks and is especially friendly for beginners.

• Referring domain and anchor text analysis
• Link type breakdown
• Fast, simple interface

Pricing:

• Free: Basic use
• Paid plans: Available for advanced features

Why it matters: RankWatch helps beginners quickly understand their backlink profile and identify new link-building opportunities.

10. Small SEO Tools Backlink Checker

Small SEO Tools provides a free, no-signup backlink checker that gives a quick overview of your site’s backlinks. It’s best for fast checks and beginners who want instant results.

• No registration required
• Quick backlink overview
• Simple, easy-to-read reports

Pricing:

• Free for unlimited checks

Why it matters: Small SEO Tools makes backlink checking accessible to everyone, helping beginners start their SEO journey with confidence.

Why Showcasing Your SEO Results Matters

Using these free backlink checker tools is only the first step. To truly stand out, showcase your SEO results in a professional portfolio. On Fueler, you can upload screenshots, share your strategies, and turn your SEO achievements into proof that gets you hired by companies looking for real results.

Final Thought

Free backlink checker tools are a game-changer for beginners who want to improve their website’s SEO without spending money. By regularly monitoring your backlinks and learning from your competitors, you can build a strong foundation for long-term search engine success. And when you showcase your results on Fueler, you turn your SEO skills into real opportunities.

FAQs

1. What is the best free backlink checker tool for beginners?

Semrush, Ubersuggest, and SE Ranking are among the top choices for beginners due to their ease of use and reliable data.

2. How often should I check my backlinks?

Check your backlinks at least once a month, or more frequently if you’re actively building links or facing negative SEO.

3. Can free backlink checkers find toxic links?

Yes, tools like Semrush and SE Ranking offer toxicity scores and can help you spot harmful backlinks.

4. Do free backlink checkers show competitor backlinks?

Some tools, like Ubersuggest and BacklinkManager.io, allow you to analyze competitor backlinks even on free plans.

5. Why is backlink analysis important for SEO?

Backlink analysis helps you understand your site’s authority, discover new link-building opportunities, and protect against negative SEO tactics.

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