Backlinks are an important part of understanding your website’s presence across the web. When another website links to one of your pages, it creates a backlink that can help users discover your content and provide useful context about your website’s reputation. However, managing backlinks effectively starts with knowing which websites link to you, which pages receive the most links, and what anchor text other websites use.
If you want to learn how to find backlinks in Google Search Console, you can use Google’s free Links report to review the backlink information Google has discovered for your website. This report provides details about external linking websites, linked pages, and common link text.
In this guide, you will learn how to access the report, identify referring domains, review backlink anchor texts, export link data, and understand the limitations of the information.
What Is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (GSC) is a free tool that helps website owners monitor how their websites perform in Google Search. It provides information about search impressions, clicks, indexing, technical issues, and other search-related data.
One useful feature is the Links report. It allows website owners to review links Google has discovered pointing to their websites, along with internal links between their own pages.
You can access the platform through Google Search Console. Before using the Links report, make sure your website has been added to your account and that you have verified ownership or received the appropriate property access.
How to Find Backlinks in Google Search Console
Finding backlinks in Google Search Console is straightforward once your website property is available. Follow these steps to review the external links Google has discovered.
Step 1: Sign In to Google Search Console
First, open Google Search Console and sign in using the Google account connected to your website.
Select the correct website property from the property selector. If you manage multiple websites, double-check the selected domain before reviewing its backlink information.
A Domain property can include different protocols and subdomains under the same domain, while a URL-prefix property covers the specific URL prefix you verified.
Step 2: Open the Links Report
After selecting your website, look at the navigation menu on the left side of the dashboard.
Find and click Links. Google will open the Links report, where you can review external links and internal links.
For a detailed explanation of the available information, visit Google’s official Links report documentation.
Step 3: Review the Top Linking Sites
Under the External links section, locate the Top linking sites table.
This section shows the websites that link to your website most frequently. It helps you identify which domains have been discovered linking to your pages.
For example, you might find domains belonging to:
- Industry-related blogs
- News and media websites
- Business publications
- Technology websites
- Educational resources
- Online directories
Click More below the table to explore the available list. You can also select a particular linking website to investigate which of your pages receive links from that domain.
Keep in mind that Google generally displays linking websites by root domain. Different subdomains may therefore appear under the same main domain.
Step 4: Check Your Top Linked Pages
The Top linked pages table shows which pages on your website receive the most external links.
This information can help you understand what type of content attracts links from other websites.
For example, you may discover that your homepage receives many links, while a detailed tutorial, research article, or industry guide attracts links to a specific URL.
Reviewing these pages can help you identify content worth updating, promoting, or using as a reference when planning future articles.
Select a URL in the table to explore the websites linking to that particular page. This is useful when you want to understand where a page’s backlinks are coming from.
Step 5: Find Backlink Anchor Texts
Anchor text is the clickable text used in a hyperlink. It provides context about the linked page and helps you understand how other websites refer to your content.
To review this information, find the Top linking text table under External links.
This table displays the most common text used in external links pointing to your website.
For example, your backlink anchor texts might include:
- Your brand name
- Your website URL
- A target keyword
- A related phrase
- A general phrase such as “read more”
Reviewing anchor text can help you identify how other websites describe your brand and content. It can also help you spot unexpected or irrelevant link text that may deserve further investigation.
Remember that Google groups matching link text and may display image links or links without readable text as empty entries.
How to Export Backlinks From Google Search Console
If you want to analyze backlinks outside the Search Console dashboard, you can export the available link data.
Follow these steps:
- Open your website’s Links report.
- Find the external links section.
- Click the Export external links option.
- Choose your preferred export format, such as Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV when available.
- Select the type of link data you want to download.
Google provides two useful export options:
Latest Links
The Latest Links export provides recently discovered links, arranged by discovery date. It can help you review newer backlinks and monitor changes in your link profile.
More Sample Links
The More Sample Links option provides a sample of links from the wider set of links Google knows about for your website.
Google’s documentation explains that these exports can provide up to 100,000 rows, depending on the export option and available data.
After downloading the file, you can organize the information by linking website, target URL, or discovery date. This makes it easier to review your backlink profile and maintain a record of link activity.
How to Check Backlinks for a Specific Website Page
Sometimes you do not need a complete backlink report. You may only want to know which websites link to one particular page.
Google Search Console allows you to investigate links associated with individual URLs when those pages are available in the relevant report.
Use this process:
- Open the Links report.
- Find the Top linked pages table.
- Click More to expand the available data.
- Select the URL you want to investigate.
- Review the websites listed as linking to that page.
- Select a linking website to explore the available linking-page information.
This approach is particularly useful when auditing important landing pages, blog posts, product pages, or service pages.
What Google Search Console Does Not Show About Backlinks
Although Google Search Console is useful for backlink monitoring, it is important to understand its limitations. The Links report should not be treated as a complete database of every backlink on the internet.
1. It Does Not Show Every Backlink
Google explains that the Links report contains a sample of links it has found. Some URLs may be omitted because of sampling, duplicate-link handling, or other reporting limitations.
Therefore, the total number of links shown in Search Console may be different from the numbers reported by third-party SEO tools.
2. It Does Not Identify Every Nofollow Link
The Links report does not specify whether an individual backlink uses a nofollow attribute. You may need to inspect the linking page’s HTML or use another SEO tool to investigate the link attributes.
3. It Does Not Guarantee That Every Listed Link Is Still Live
The report includes links Google has discovered over time. Some linking pages may have been removed, changed, or become unavailable since Google last found them.
For important backlinks, visit the source page and check whether the link still exists.
4. It Does Not Provide a Complete Competitor Backlink Report
You need access to a verified Search Console property to review its data. You cannot simply enter a competitor’s domain and use your account to see that competitor’s private Links report.
For competitor research, you can use third-party backlink analysis platforms that maintain their own link indexes.
Google Search Console vs. Third-Party Backlink Tools
Google Search Console and third-party SEO platforms serve different purposes. Search Console provides information from Google’s own link data, while external SEO tools use their own crawlers and databases.
| Feature | Google Search Console | Third-party SEO tools |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Often paid |
| Website access | Verified property or authorized access | Depends on the tool |
| Backlink data | Google’s discovered link sample | Tool-specific link index |
| Anchor text | Available | Available in many tools |
| Competitor analysis | Not available for unverified properties | Available in many tools |
| Link attributes | Does not identify every nofollow link | Often available |
| Export | Available | Depends on the subscription |
You can use Search Console as a source of Google-discovered backlink information and third-party tools for additional research, competitor analysis, and link auditing.
How to Analyze Your Backlinks After Finding Them
Finding backlinks is only the first step. You should also review their relevance, placement, and current status.
Here are some practical checks:
Check Website Relevance
A backlink from a website related to your industry can provide more meaningful context than an unrelated link. Review the linking website’s topics, audience, and editorial content.
Review the Linking Page
Open the source page and confirm that the backlink is present. Check whether the page is accessible and whether the link points to the correct destination.
Review Anchor Text Distribution
Look at the different types of anchor text pointing to your website. A natural backlink profile can include branded, URL-based, descriptive, and other relevant anchor texts.
Avoid making decisions based on one anchor-text report alone. Consider the context of the links and the overall quality of your backlink profile.
Monitor Changes Over Time
Export your backlink data periodically and compare it with previous reports. This can help you notice newly discovered links, changes in linking websites, and pages attracting more attention.
Do not assume that every unfamiliar link is harmful. Google often works to understand and ignore link spam, so investigate suspicious links before taking action.
Best Practices for Managing Your Backlink Profile
Once you understand how to find backlinks in Google Search Console, use the following practices to maintain a useful backlink monitoring routine:
- Review the Links report regularly.
- Keep records of important referring domains.
- Check backlinks pointing to your most valuable pages.
- Review anchor text for relevance and accuracy.
- Investigate links from suspicious or unrelated websites.
- Check important source pages to confirm that links remain live.
- Compare Search Console information with other SEO data when necessary.
- Focus on earning relevant editorial links rather than collecting links solely for quantity.
Google’s spam policies for Google web search explain practices that can negatively affect a website’s presence in search results. Reviewing these guidelines can help you build a more sustainable link-building strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find backlinks for free in Google Search Console?
Yes. Google Search Console is free to use. After verifying your website or receiving access to its property, you can open the Links report and review the external links Google has discovered.
Does Google Search Console show all backlinks?
No. Google states that the Links report provides a sample of known links, not a comprehensive list of every backlink. Some links may be missing from the report.
How do I find which websites link to my website?
Open Google Search Console, select your website, and click Links. Under External links, review the Top linking sites table to see the domains linking to your website.
Can I check backlink anchor text in Google Search Console?
Yes. Open the Links report and review the Top linking text table under External links. It shows common text used in links pointing to your website.
Can I download backlinks from Google Search Console?
Yes. Use the Export external links option in the Links report. You can download available link information in supported formats, including spreadsheet and CSV options.
Can I check my competitor’s backlinks using Google Search Console?
No. Search Console only provides link data for properties you can access. For competitor backlink research, use an SEO platform with its own backlink database.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to find backlinks in Google Search Console can make backlink monitoring easier for website owners, bloggers, and SEO professionals. The Links report helps you identify top linking websites, discover pages receiving external links, review anchor text, and export available backlink information.
However, remember that Search Console does not provide a complete list of every backlink or identify every link attribute. For a more detailed backlink analysis, combine its data with manual link checks and reliable third-party SEO tools.
A consistent backlink review process can help you understand your website’s link profile, identify useful linking opportunities, and make better-informed SEO decisions.