In the fiercely competitive digital landscape, it’s vital to stay ahead of the game. An essential element of this is understanding your competitor’s strategy, especially when it comes to backlinking. Competitor backlink analysis allows you to evaluate your competition’s backlink profile and leverage this information to boost your own site’s ranking and authority. This in-depth guide will detail how you can conduct a thorough competitor backlink analysis using renowned SEO tools like Ahrefs.
1. Identifying Your Primary Competitors
The foundation of any competitor backlink analysis is knowing exactly who you’re competing with. While you might already be aware of some big names in your industry, it’s important to remember that your real competition online may be different from your offline competitors. Using Ahrefs, you can identify your top competitors with a couple of methods:
- Method #1 – Using Site Explorer: This method is particularly useful for well-established websites. Start by typing your domain URL into Site Explorer. Then navigate to Organic search > Competing domains. This reveals domains that are ranking for the same keywords as your site. By focusing on the Common keywords percentage, you can gauge which competitors are most relevant to your business. The higher this percentage, the more direct competition they present to your SEO efforts.
- Method #2 – Using Keyword Explorer: This approach is ideal for newer websites that may not yet be ranking for many keywords. Simply type your industry into the Keyword Explorer search bar and click on Traffic shares > By domains. This gives you a list of domains that are generating significant traffic for keywords relevant to your industry.
2. Investigating the Referring Domains of Your Competitors
Once you’ve identified your key competitors, the next step involves diving deep into their backlinks. More specifically, you’ll want to examine their referring domains, as search engines prioritize links from diverse domains. Here’s how to do it:
- Analyzing Referring Domains for Websites: Begin by inputting the domain URL of your competitor into the Site Explorer. Then, navigate to Backlink profile > Referring domains. This gives you a comprehensive list of different domains pointing to your competitor’s website. Pay particular attention to domains with dofollow links as they pass on “link juice” and help enhance your site’s authority.
- Examining Referring Domains for Pages: If your goal is to rank a specific page for a specific keyword, this method is for you. Use Ahrefs’ Keyword Explorer to enter the target keyword. The SERP overview section provides valuable insights into the URL Rating and linking domains of the top-ranking pages. Prioritize those with high UR and a considerable number of linking domains.
3. Strategizing on Acquiring Links from Identified Domains
Now that you’ve identified the domains you need to target, it’s time to figure out how to acquire backlinks from them. By using the Links to Target column on Ahrefs, you can determine where and how your competitor acquired their links. This will assist you in formulating your approach for acquiring similar backlinks.
4. Harnessing the Power of Ahrefs’ Link Intersect Feature
To make the most of your competitor backlink analysis, consider leveraging the Link Intersect feature of Ahrefs. Simply input at least three competitor domains, and Ahrefs will cross-reference their backlinks with yours, revealing unique referring domains that your competitors have and you don’t. This feature not only saves time but ensures you’re targeting the most beneficial domains.
5. Constructing Your Link Building Strategy
Equipped with in-depth insights from the analysis, you’re now ready to create an effective link-building strategy. Whether your tactics involve guest posting, link insertions, or niche edits, they should be informed by the tactics used by your competitors. However, remember that securing backlinks is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It requires time, effort, and dedication in outreach and building relationships with other sites in your industry.
Conclusion
Competitor backlink analysis is more than just mimicking what your competitors are doing. It’s about uncovering opportunities and creating a strategy that elevates your site to the top of the SERPs. Tools like Ahrefs simplify the process, but the real success lies in your ability to apply these insights strategically.
By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll be better positioned to boost your website’s organic traffic, enhance authority, and outrank your competitors. Remember, link building is not a one-off project but an ongoing strategy that, when implemented correctly, delivers consistent and measurable results. So, get started on your competitor backlink analysis today, and watch your SEO performance soar!
Do you need help with backlinks? Our team of SEO experts is ready to assist you. Contact us today, and let’s discuss how we can help elevate your online presence.
