How to Use Ahrefs for Backlink Analysis (Complete Guide)
Tutorial: Follow these steps to get the most out of Ahrefs. Each step builds on the previous one.
1Site Explorer Overview
Enter any domain in Site Explorer. The dashboard shows Domain Rating, backlinks count, referring domains, and organic traffic estimate.
2Analyze Your Backlink Profile
Go to Backlinks report. Sort by Domain Rating to see your most valuable links. Check for toxic links from spam sites.
3Find Competitor Backlinks
Enter a competitor domain. Go to Backlinks → Best by links. These are pages other sites link to most. Create better versions to earn those links.
4Link Intersect
Enter your domain and 2-3 competitors in Link Intersect. Find sites that link to competitors but not you. These are your best outreach targets.
5Content Explorer for Link Building
Search your topic in Content Explorer. Filter by referring domains > 50. These are proven link-worthy topics. Create comprehensive content on these topics.
6Monitor New and Lost Links
Set up alerts for new and lost backlinks. Investigate lost links — did the page move? Can you reclaim the link?
Key Takeaways
- Start with the free tier to learn the tool before upgrading
- AI tools work best when you provide clear, specific instructions
- Always review and customize AI output before using it
- Combine multiple tools for the best workflow
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