How to Check Your Competitors’ Backlinks and Steal Their Best Links
If you’ve ever wondered, “How do I check backlinks of competitors?”, you’re asking the right question. Your competitors’ backlinks are one of the most powerful cheat codes in SEO. Think of them as a treasure map—they show you where others are getting authority, traffic, and trust. But here’s the kicker: most guides just skim the surface, leaving out the juicy tactics that actually help you snag those links for your own site. Let’s fix that.
In this post, we’re going deep. You’ll learn how to uncover your competitors’ top-performing backlinks, analyze what makes them tick, and ethically “steal” those links to boost your own visibility. And we’re not just talking theory—we’ve included tools, stats, and real-world tactics. So whether you run an online store, a local business, or a growing agency, this one’s for you.
Why Competitor Backlinks Matter More Than Ever
According to a 2023 Backlinko study, the number one result on Google has an average of 3.8x more backlinks than positions 2 through 10 combined. That’s not a fluke—it’s a signal.
Backlinks are still one of Google’s top ranking factors, and stealing (or rather, earning) high-quality backlinks from your competitors is like skipping the line to the front of Google’s results page.
Here’s why smart business owners are making backlink analysis a regular part of their strategy:
- It reveals which sites are actively linking in your niche.
- It shows you what content formats and topics earn the most backlinks.
- It exposes link-building opportunities without the guesswork.
And here’s the kicker—if your competitors can land those links, so can you (and maybe do it even better).
The Right Tools for the Job (Don’t Just Rely on Freebies)
Most articles will throw out the same tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz. Yes, they’re great, but they barely scratch the surface when used generically. Let’s go a bit deeper.
1. Ahrefs Content Gap + Link Intersect Combo
Use Ahrefs’ Content Gap tool with the Link Intersect feature. Instead of just looking at who links to one competitor, look at sites that link to multiple competitors but not to you.
- Why it works: Sites that link to more than one competitor are proven to be link-friendly in your niche.
- How to steal the link: Reverse engineer the type of content or pitch that landed those links.
2. SEMrush’s Authority Score Filter
SEMrush gives you the ability to filter backlinks by Authority Score, which is its measure of how trustworthy a domain is.
- Pro tip: Target links with an Authority Score between 30–70. These sites are often more willing to link to you and still carry solid SEO value.
- Secret move: Look for broken links or outdated mentions—then swoop in with an updated pitch.
3. ScrapeBox + Google Search Operators
This is for the DIYers. Use ScrapeBox with advanced Google operators like:
makefile
CopyEdit
intitle:“resources” + [your keyword]
inurl:“links” + [your topic]
Then, extract the outbound links and cross-reference them with your competitor’s backlinks. This is gold for finding resource pages or link roundup posts.
What to Look for in a Competitor’s Backlink Profile
It’s not just about how many backlinks a competitor has—it’s about which ones matter. Here’s how to break it down:
1. Contextual vs. Sidebar/Footer Links
Links embedded in the main body of a relevant article (contextual) are infinitely more valuable than sidebar or footer links. Tools like Ahrefs show link placement—use that filter ruthlessly.
2. Content Type That Earned the Link
Ask: Did this link come from a blog post, a product review, a data report, or a guest post?
- Guest posts = replicable.
- Data reports = inspire your own version.
- Mentions = pitch yourself as a better alternative.
3. Anchor Text Patterns
Over-optimized anchor text = spam. Branded or natural-sounding anchors = trustworthy. Follow the patterns of links Google seems to reward in your niche.
How to Steal Your Competitors’ Best Backlinks (The Ethical Way)
This is where the magic happens. Let’s talk strategy.
1. The Skyscraper + Steal Combo
Find their most linked-to content using Ahrefs’ “Best by Links” report. Then:
- Create something better—longer, more updated, more visual.
- Reach out to the same sites linking to them with your improved version.
Stat: According to Brian Dean, the Skyscraper Technique can increase backlinks by 110% when done right.
2. Broken Link Building on Competitor Pages
Scan your competitors’ top content and backlink sources for broken outbound links. If any of them lead to 404 pages, you’ve got a solid pitch:
“Hey! I noticed you linked to [Competitor’s Broken Resource], but it’s no longer working. I’ve got a similar (but better) resource here you can replace it with.”
Use tools like Broken Link Checker or Check My Links (Chrome Extension) to make this quick.
3. Guest Post Hijacking
Some of your competitors are earning backlinks via guest posts. But here’s what they don’t tell you:
- You can repitch the same sites they guest posted on.
- Better yet—use Click Typhoon’s Buy Guest Posts service to cut the queue.
Click Typhoon works directly with vetted websites across various industries. So, instead of cold pitching 100 blogs, you can get published where it counts—and do it fast.
Bonus Tactic: The Backlink Stacking Method (Advanced)
This strategy is often left out of SEO guides but packs a punch.
Here’s how it works:
- Find competitors’ tier 1 links (high-authority domains that link to them directly).
- Build backlinks to those same pages, either through mentions or shares.
- When you earn the same tier 1 link, yours gains even more weight—because now you’re also part of a page that’s gaining authority.
It’s like riding the wave of someone else’s backlink juice. Nerdy, yes—but incredibly effective.
Red Flags: What to Avoid When Replicating Links
- Link farms or private blog networks (PBNs) – they might show up in your competitor’s profile, but Google’s onto them.
- Exact match anchor text spam – too many of these, and your own SEO profile starts to look sketchy.
- Low-authority directories – if they’re linking to everyone, the link probably isn’t helping anyone.
Always vet link sources with tools like Moz Spam Score or Ahrefs DR (Domain Rating) before reaching out.
Competitor Backlinks Are a Roadmap—If You Know How to Read Them
There’s no shame in watching what your competitors are doing—especially if they’re ranking higher than you. In fact, it’s one of the smartest plays you can make in SEO. By reverse-engineering their backlink strategies and using the tools and tactics we’ve covered today, you can put your business in a position to compete and win.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, keeping tabs on your competitors’ backlink game should be a regular part of your SEO checklist. And when you’re ready to take it to the next level, Click Typhoon’s Buy Guest Posts service can help you land those high-authority links without the hassle of pitching dozens of sites.
Ready to Outrank the Competition?
- Stop guessing what backlinks work—start analyzing your competitors instead.
- Use Ahrefs, SEMrush, and even ScrapeBox to uncover link goldmines.
- Prioritize contextual, high-authority links using real-world tactics.
- Don’t have time to pitch guest posts? Let Click Typhoon handle it for you.
- Start building smarter backlinks today—because your competitors already are.
Let’s help your business rise to the top—one backlink at a time. Reach out now!
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How to Find Backlinks of Competitors
