Backlink Management Tools You Have to Try

Last updated on April 16th, 2025
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                                backlink management tool
Key points
  1. In order to keep the backlink profile healthy, companies need to ensure that their earned links stay online.
  2. Manually checking that links are still online is not feasable, which is why backlink monitoring tools exist.
  3. Good backlink management software will automatically check for links and inform if their status has changed.

If you’re starting an SEO business, it’s not always easy to find the perfect tools that suit your needs. This is especially true when it comes to backlink management tools. You spend a lot of time building partnerships and securing links, only to notice that they’ve been removed after a few weeks.

If you want to ensure that your link building efforts pay off, you need a backlink monitoring tool that automates this process. Luckily, there are a variety of programs to choose from, including one that we’ve built.

Every company strives for a healthy backlink profile. To achieve this goal, they invest time and resources into building links, either with the help of a link-building agency or an in-house team dedicated to this task.

Whichever option you choose, link-building campaigns require significant effort. Here’s why they pay off, though:

  • Maintaining SEO health: Backlink monitoring is crucial for maintaining SEO health. By keeping track of your backlink profile, you can quickly identify and address issues such as broken or lost links, which can negatively impact your search engine rankings. Proactive monitoring ensures that your link-building efforts are not wasted and helps sustain the SEO benefits you've worked hard to achieve.

  • Strategic decision-making & optimization: Backlink monitoring contributes to strategic decision-making by providing valuable insights into your backlink profile's performance. By analyzing data on link quality, anchor text distribution, and domain authority, you can make informed decisions about where to focus your link-building efforts. This data-driven approach allows for continuous optimization, ensuring that your strategy remains effective and aligned with your SEO goals.

  • Proactive monitoring for competitive advantage: Proactive backlink monitoring allows you to gain an advantage over your competition. By staying ahead of potential issues and capitalizing on new link-building opportunities, you can maintain a robust and diverse backlink profile. This proactive approach not only helps in retaining valuable links but also allows you to quickly adapt to changes in the SEO environment, ensuring long-term success and a competitive advantage.

backlink monitoring cycle

Investing in backlink tracking software is the only way to notice removed links and take corrective action promptly. This vigilance is key to preserving the integrity of your backlink profile and maximizing the return on your link-building investments.

There’s a lot of backlinks tracking software to choose from, but which one is worth trying out? Most of them have a similar feature set, so let’s look at the top 5 backlink management software to choose from in 2025.

Backlink Pilot backlink building tool

Backlink management can quickly become complex for agencies and service providers. Backlink Pilot enters the market as a free tool designed to address some core link tracking challenges.

Aspect

Details

Target users

Link building agencies with budget constraints

SaaS companies managing multiple partnerships

Freelance SEO professionals tracking exchanges

Strengths

Accessible free tier for small operations

Basic partner link tracking

No initial financial investment required

Potential limitations

Restricted to 500 links in free version

Limited advanced analytical capabilities

Relatively new to the market

Pricing options

Free tier: Up to 500 links, monthly checks

Paid plan: Daily checks, expanded features

Key features

  • track up to 500 links without cost

  • monthly backlink health monitoring

  • partner and client link management

  • basic link status tracking

Unique approach

The tool introduces a partnership balance feature that allows users to track link exchanges. This can help agencies maintain reciprocal link-building efforts.

User considerations

When evaluating Backlink Pilot, agencies should carefully assess whether its free tier meets their specific link management needs. While it offers a straightforward approach to link tracking, those with extensive link-building campaigns might require more comprehensive solutions.

Pro tip: Always compare multiple tools against your specific workflow requirements. A free tool might save initial costs, but ensure it provides the depth of tracking your agency truly needs.

Implementation strategy

  1. start with the free tier to understand basic features

  2. track initial links

  3. evaluate tool effectiveness for your specific workflow

  4. explore alternative solutions if needed

Remember, the right backlink management tool should save time, provide clear insights, and help maintain a healthy link profile. Backlink Pilot offers one potential solution, but your specific agency needs will ultimately determine its value.

SEOJet

SEOJet link building strategy tool

SEOJet is a tool designed to streamline the entire backlink strategy process. Its primary goal is to help improve search rankings through up-to-date backlink data and strategic anchor text planning.

Aspect

Details

Target audience

One-person businesses with limited budgets

Small companies doing independent SEO

SEO agencies offering link building services

Core strengths

Comprehensive backlink strategy insights

Competitor backlink analysis

Anchor text planning capabilities

Potential limitations

Steeper learning curve for beginners

May overwhelm small-scale users

Pricing might be challenging for solo operators

Pricing model

Free tier: monitor up to 1000 links

Paid plans: advanced analysis features

Key features

  • backlinks monitor for up to 1000 links

  • analysis tool for google top 10 results

  • competitor link opportunity identification

  • paid guest post ordering capabilities

Unique approach

SEOJet offers a proprietary scoring system that helps users understand their page strength compared to competitors. This feature provides insights beyond traditional link tracking.

User considerations

While SEOJet provides comprehensive link building tools, users should evaluate whether its depth of features aligns with their specific seo strategy. The tool’s complexity might be more than necessary for very small operations.

Pro tip: Leverage the competitor analysis features to understand your link building landscape, but don’t rely solely on automated recommendations.

Implementation strategy

  1. start with the free tier to explore features

  2. analyze your current backlink profile

  3. identify potential link building opportunities

  4. gradually integrate more advanced features

Remember, effective link building is about quality and strategy, not just quantity. SEOJet offers tools to support your approach, but the ultimate success depends on your strategic implementation.

Semrush

Semrush link building tool

Semrush is a robust all-in-one SEO tool that goes beyond simple backlink tracking. It provides a comprehensive approach to digital marketing intelligence, with particular strength in backlink and competitive analysis.

Aspect

Details

Target audience

SEO enthusiasts seeking comprehensive insights

Agencies looking for integrated data platform

Digital marketers needing competitive intelligence

Core strengths

Extensive backlink profile monitoring

Competitor analysis capabilities

Multi-platform SEO insights

Potential limitations

Steeper pricing for smaller operations

Complexity can be overwhelming for beginners

May provide more features than some users need

Pricing model

Multiple tier options with varying feature sets

Comprehensive tool with broad SEO capabilities

Key features

  • track inbound links and backlink profile

  • monitor competitor backlink strategies

  • bulk competitor analysis tools

  • integrated outreach and link-building capabilities

Unique approach

Semrush offers a backlink gap feature that allows users to simultaneously analyze up to five different profiles. This enables a more comprehensive competitive intelligence strategy.

User considerations

While Semrush provides extensive SEO tools, users should carefully evaluate their specific needs. The platform's comprehensive nature can be both a strength and a potential complexity for smaller teams or individual practitioners.

Pro tip: Utilize the competitive analysis features strategically, but remember that tools are guides—your strategic implementation matters most.

Implementation strategy

  1. start with a free trial or limited-feature account

  2. explore backlink and competitive analysis tools

  3. integrate insights into your existing SEO workflow

  4. gradually leverage more advanced features

Remember, effective SEO is about intelligent strategy, not just data collection. Semrush offers powerful tools, but the real value comes from how you apply these insights to your specific business context.

Buzzstream

Inline image

Buzzstream iis an outreach platform designed to elevate link building and content promotion strategies. It goes beyond traditional link exchange, focusing on digital PR and content distribution.

Aspect

Details

Target audience

SEO managers seeking comprehensive outreach tools

Digital PR teams looking to amplify content reach

Content agencies aiming to distribute work strategically

Core strengths

Advanced prospect research capabilities

Integrated email outreach management

Detailed contact profile enrichment

Potential limitations

Steeper learning curve for beginners

Pricing may challenge smaller operations

Requires active management for optimal results

Pricing model

Tiered plans with varying feature sets

Scalable options for different team sizes

Key features

  • easy prospecting and contact management

  • built-in tools to qualify potential link partners

  • segmentation of contacts and opportunities

  • campaign tracking and publication management

Unique approach

Buzzstream differentiates itself by treating link building as a digital PR strategy. It allows users to research prospects based on keyword data and brand mentions, filtering for most influential contacts.

User considerations

While Buzzstream offers robust outreach tools, users should evaluate their specific content promotion needs. The platform’s comprehensive approach might be more than necessary for very small-scale operations.

Pro tip: Leverage the platform’s research capabilities strategically, but remember that personal relationships and content quality remain important.

Implementation strategy

  1. start with a detailed contact research phase

  2. develop targeted outreach campaigns

  3. track and analyze engagement metrics

  4. continuously refine your approach based on results

Remember, effective link building is about creating value and building genuine connections. Buzzstream provides tools to facilitate this process, but the ultimate success depends on your strategic approach and content quality.

SE Ranking

SE Ranking backlink tracking tool

SE Ranking is a robust platform designed to streamline SEO efforts, with a particular focus on comprehensive backlink strategy and analysis. Its extensive database provides deep insights into link-building landscapes.

Aspect

Details

Target audience

In-house SEO teams seeking detailed analytics

Small to mid-size agencies offering link-building services

Digital marketers needing comprehensive SEO insights

Core strengths

Massive database of 2.9 trillion indexed backlinks

Detailed backlink profile analysis

Competitive link tracking capabilities

Potential limitations

Complexity may overwhelm small operations

Pricing can be challenging for individual practitioners

Requires significant time to fully utilize features

Pricing model

Flexible tiered plans with scalable options

Comprehensive tool covering multiple SEO aspects

Key features

  • evaluate a website’s backlink profile using 15+ parameters

  • compare backlink profiles across multiple competitors

  • analyze lost and gained backlinks

  • receive email notifications for backlink changes

Unique approach

SE Ranking offers a Backlink Gap Analyzer that allows users to simultaneously track and compare up to five different profiles, providing a comprehensive competitive intelligence tool.

User considerations

While SE Ranking provides extensive backlink monitoring capabilities, users should carefully assess whether the depth of features aligns with their specific SEO strategy and workflow.

Pro tip: Use the competitive analysis features strategically, but remember that tools are guides—your strategic implementation drives real results.

Implementation strategy

  1. start with a comprehensive backlink profile audit

  2. identify key competitive insights

  3. develop targeted link-building strategies

  4. continuously monitor and refine approach

Remember, effective SEO is about intelligent strategy, not just data collection. SE Ranking offers powerful tools, but the real value comes from how you interpret and apply these insights to your specific business context.

Find the perfect backlink management tool for your needs

When you’re building links, it’s important to be aware of your entire backlink profile. After all, you don’t want to build more links to pages you’re already getting links for naturally.

To organize your backlinks, I recommend exporting them from a variety of different tools, for instance Google Search Console. Go to Links → External links and click the MORE option. You’ll see the number of links pointing to your website, and can export the data into a CSV file. Click on any target page to get a better overview which domains are linking to you, and click on the domain to see the actual backlinks.

external links in GSC for BacklinkPilot

As you can see, you have to navigate down multiple levels, and then export the data every time into a CSV, which can be time-consuming. Tools such as Semrush or Ahrefs make exporting all your backlinks much easier.

Once you’re done exporting, categorize and tag your links to get a good overview, and to be able to apply filters. For instance, tag your backlinks based on their dofollow or nofollow status.

Now that you know why it’s important to keep an eye on your links, you might be wondering how to do backlink management efficiently.

You could certainly do it the old school way, with spreadsheets. Most backlink builders run their operations in Google Sheets after all.

The problem with spreadsheets is that you’ll quickly outgrow them. First, you need to have a sheet for every client, and second, your entire team will work in them at the same time. There’s a big chance that the wrong column or row gets deleted or edited while a colleague is working on it.

The alternative to spreadsheets are dedicated backlink tools. Not only do they allow you to track individual links, you can usually assign links to your partners, track ABC exchanges, and much more. The most useful functionality of a backlink manager is the integrated uptime monitoring. You’ll no longer have to manually check if your links are still live. Instead, the backlinks software will notify you if the link has been removed, or if it has changed from dofollow to nofollow.

Now that you’ve been introduced to five different tools, which features do you think they must have? Let’s look at a few I consider important:

  1. Data export: If you want to take your data to a different tool, or simply export it to run it through ChatGPT, you’ll need a data export option to CSV or PDF. This feature is crucial for integrating backlink data into broader SEO strategies or for sharing insights with clients and stakeholders.

  2. Advanced filtering: Nothing is more tedious than searching for links. Your link management tool should have advanced filtering options based on the link status, link type, or link partner—Backlink Pilot has all of those. This capability allows you to quickly identify high-value links and prioritize your outreach efforts effectively.

  3. Link checks: Nobody wants to visit websites to check if a link is still live. Your monitoring tool should handle this task, and notify you if links are down or have been changed. Automated link checks save time and ensure your backlink profile remains healthy and up-to-date.

  4. Web crawling and indexing: Effective backlink monitoring tools utilize web crawling to discover and index new backlinks. These tools simulate search engine crawlers to identify where your site is being linked from, providing a comprehensive view of your backlink profile. This functionality is essential for staying ahead of algorithm changes and maintaining a strong SEO presence.

  5. Real-time alerts and reporting: Receive instant notifications when there are changes to your backlink profile, such as new links acquired or lost. Real-time alerts allow for quick responses to potential issues, while detailed reporting features provide insights into backlink performance over time. These reports can be customized to focus on specific metrics or timeframes, aiding in strategic decision-making.

link management tool features

If you’re looking for a tool that has advanced features, make sure it has these data analysis options:

  • Domain authority analysis: Understand the authority and relevance of domains linking to your site. This analysis helps in assessing the quality of your backlinks and identifying opportunities for improvement.

  • Anchor text analysis: Evaluate the anchor text used in your backlinks to ensure it aligns with your SEO goals. This feature helps in optimizing anchor text for better search engine rankings and avoiding over-optimization penalties.

By leveraging these features, backlink monitoring tools helps SEO professionals to manage and optimize their backlink profiles efficiently, driving better search engine rankings and overall website performance.

What is a backlink tool?

Backlink management software helps agencies and SEO professionals track and manage link exchanges systematically. These tools automate the process of monitoring link status, ensuring that hard-earned backlinks remain active and valuable throughout your digital marketing efforts.

Which tool is best for backlinks?

The best backlink tool varies depending on your specific business needs. Professionals should carefully evaluate their budget, team size, required depth of analytics, and specific link-building goals. While tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and SE Ranking offer comprehensive insights, the most suitable solution depends on your unique workflow and strategic objectives.

How do I manage my backlinks?

Effective backlink management requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simple tracking. Professionals need to conduct regular link status checks, track link quality and relevance, monitor competitor backlink strategies, and use specialized tools to automate tracking. The ultimate goal is maintaining a diverse and healthy link profile that supports your overall SEO strategy.

How do you keep track of backlinks?

Keeping track of backlinks demands a systematic and proactive methodology. This involves using dedicated backlink monitoring tools, setting up automated link status checks, potentially creating a detailed tracking spreadsheet, and regularly auditing your backlink profile. The most successful approach includes continually looking for opportunities to replace lost or low-quality links while identifying new, high-value linking opportunities.

Why use a backlink monitor tool?

Backlink monitor tools provide critical benefits for digital marketing professionals. They offer automated link tracking, deep insights into link health, advanced competitive analysis capabilities, significant time savings in link management, and strategic link-building support. These tools transform what would be a manual, time-consuming process into an efficient, data-driven approach.

Tracking backlinks doesn’t have to be a chore, and certainly not a manual task you have to use spreadsheets for. The market offers you a variety of tools to track backlinks the easy way, saving you time that you can invest in more important tasks, namely building new links.

The best of all, there are free link management tools such as Backlink Pilot that you can use to scale your operations.

With 4 years at SPP and 8+ years in content production, Deian combines practical agency expertise with content strategy leadership. He’s built essential agency tools, conducted dozens of case studies, and leads product demos for agency owners. As Content Lead, Deian transforms his firsthand knowledge of agency operations into actionable resources that help service businesses streamline and scale effectively.
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