The Ultimate Guide to Competitor Backlink Analysis

Link building continues to be a powerful factor in how Google ranks websites. It not only enhances your site’s authority and credibility but also signals trust to search engines. Whether you're working with an SEO company in Atascocita, TX, or seeking expert support from a Pflugerville SEO company, one thing is non-negotiable—backlink analysis must be part of your SEO game plan.

In this post, we’ll walk you through an effective and actionable way to conduct competitor backlink analysis that will elevate your link-building strategy and put you ahead of the competition.

What Is Competitor Backlink Analysis?

Backlink analysis involves reviewing the quantity and quality of links pointing to your website and comparing them with those linking to your top competitors. It provides insights into:

• Which domains are referring to your competitors

• The kind of content earning them backlinks

• Link opportunities you’re missing out on

At Growth Accelerators, we’ve seen small businesses transform their search rankings just by learning from the backlink profiles of their top-ranking rivals.

Pro Tip: If you're working with a Pflugerville SEO company or an SEO company in Atascocita, TX, make sure they prioritize competitor backlink analysis as part of their strategy.

Why Competitor Backlink Analysis Matters

Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why.

Competitor backlink analysis answers two essential questions:

• Who’s outperforming you in search results?

• What can you do to match or outdo them?

Instead of starting from scratch, why not piggyback on strategies that are already delivering results for others in your niche?

Looking to scale your link-building efforts quickly? Our SEO team can show you how. Book a Free Consultation

How to Conduct Competitor Backlink Analysis Step by Step

Step 1: Identify Your Competitors

Start by listing:

• Businesses offering similar products/services in your region

• Websites ranking above you for your target keywords

You can do a manual Google search or use SEO tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find the top-ranking domains in your niche.

Step 2: Choose the Right Backlink Analysis Tool

Manual analysis only takes you so far. These tools make the job easier and more accurate:

• Ahrefs – Powerful and easy to use (1-week trial at $7)

• SEMrush – 7-day free trial, packed with backlink data

• Moz Pro – Offers a generous 30-day trial

These platforms help you assess:

• Total backlinks

• Referring domains

• Anchor text distribution

• Broken links

• Top-performing content

Need help choosing the right tool? Our SEO specialists in Pflugerville and Atascocita, TX, can guide you.

Step 3: Analyze Key Metrics

Here’s what you need to look at:

Total Backlinks

This number gives you a baseline idea of your competitor’s backlink strength. More isn't always better—focus on quality over quantity.

Referring Domains

Links from unique, high-authority domains carry more weight than multiple links from the same source. A diverse link profile signals trust to search engines.

Top-Linked Pages

Identify which of your competitor’s pages are attracting the most backlinks. Are their how-to blogs crushing it? Maybe their case studies or free tools?

Create similar or superior content to win those backlinks for yourself.

Step 4: Evaluate Anchor Texts and Broken Links

Anchor text tells Google what the linked page is about. Reviewing your competitor’s anchor texts can reveal:

• Their most targeted keywords

• How frequently they’re being cited

• Opportunities for you to request similar mentions

Also, don't ignore broken backlinks. If a competitor has broken inbound links:

• Recreate similar content

• Reach out to the linking domain suggesting your content as a replacement

It’s a smart and ethical way to earn links while providing value.

Step 5: Track Link Velocity and New Backlinks

Link velocity refers to the rate at which a site gains new backlinks over time. Monitoring this helps you understand if:

• A competitor is ramping up their SEO efforts

• There’s a gap you can exploit while they slow down

Tools like Ahrefs let you set alerts for new backlinks earned by your competitors so you can react quickly and capitalize on those opportunities.

Want consistent, white-hat link building support? Talk to our SEO team.

Ask the Right Question: Why Not Me?

Every backlink your competitor earns is a potential link you could have gotten. So the central question is:

Why is this site linking to them and not me?

Dig into the answers. Then:

• Create better content

• Outreach smarter

• Leverage connections

• Provide more value

Conclusion: Turn Insights Into Action

Competitor backlink analysis is not a one-off task. It’s an ongoing strategy that provides clarity, inspiration, and actionable data. It shows you where your gaps are, what your audience wants, and how to improve your visibility.

Whether you're working with a Pflugerville SEO company or an SEO company in Atascocita, TX, or handling SEO in-house, backlink intelligence gives you a head start.

Need Help Getting Started?

At Growth Accelerators, we help small businesses grow through scalable, data-backed SEO strategies—including expert competitor backlink analysis and link building.

If you want results that go beyond rankings—leads, traffic, and growth—reach out to us today or email info@growacc.com.

Let’s turn your competitor’s strategy into your competitive edge.