# Backlink Checker - Backlinks, Referring Domains & Anchors (`santhej/backlink-checker`) Actor

Check backlinks for any domain or URL: referring page, anchor text, dofollow/nofollow, domain authority rank, spam score, and first/last seen dates. Filter by quality. Clean JSON/CSV for link audits & competitor research. An Ahrefs alternative. No API keys.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/santhej/backlink-checker.md
- **Developed by:** [Santhej Kallada](https://apify.com/santhej) (community)
- **Categories:** SEO tools, AI, MCP servers
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, NaN bookmarks
- **User rating**: 5.00 out of 5 stars

## Pricing

Pay per event

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md):

```bash
npm install apify-client
```

In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md):

```bash
pip install apify-client
```

In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):

````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash

In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md).

If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).


# README

## Backlink Checker — Backlinks, Referring Domains, Anchors & Authority

**See who links to any website. Get every backlink with the referring page, anchor text, dofollow status, domain authority rank, and spam score — a powerful Ahrefs/Semrush alternative at a fraction of the price.**

Audit your own link profile or reverse-engineer a competitor's. Filter to high-quality, dofollow, live links so you only see what matters. Pick an **output mode**: raw backlinks, a per-target **summary** (totals, referring-domain count, dofollow %, spam rollup), an **anchor-text distribution**, or a deduped **referring-domains** list. Clean, structured, API-ready output.

---

### What you get per backlink

- 🌐 **Referring domain & URL** — exactly which page links to the target.
- 🔗 **Anchor text** — the clickable text of the link.
- ✅ **Dofollow / nofollow** — whether the link passes SEO value.
- 📊 **Domain authority rank** — strength of the linking domain (0–1000).
- 🛡️ **Spam score** — flag low-quality / toxic links.
- 🕒 **First & last seen** — link freshness and history.

### Output modes

- **Raw backlinks** — one row per backlink (default).
- **Summary** — per target: total backlinks, referring-domain count, dofollow %, lost links, avg authority, and a spam-score distribution.
- **Anchor-text distribution** — top anchors with counts and share %.
- **Referring domains** — deduped linking domains ranked by authority, with link counts.

### Why it beats the big SEO suites

| | This actor | Ahrefs / Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| **Price** | Pay per backlink pulled | $99–$199 / month |
| **Commitment** | None | Annual contracts |
| **Output** | JSON / CSV / Excel, API-ready | Locked in dashboard |
| **Quality filters** | Dofollow, live, min authority | Plan-gated |

### Perfect for

- **Backlink audits** — review your link profile and disavow toxic links.
- **Competitor research** — find where rivals get their links (and copy them).
- **Link-building prospecting** — discover high-authority referring domains.
- **SEO reporting** — export clean backlink data for clients.
- **AI agents** — feed structured backlink data into automated SEO workflows and MCP tools.

### How to use it

1. Enter one or more **domains/URLs**.
2. Set **max backlinks** and quality filters (dofollow, live, min authority).
3. Run it — export JSON/CSV or pull via the API.

#### Example input

```json
{ "targets": ["ahrefs.com"], "limit": 100, "outputMode": "backlinks", "dofollowOnly": true, "minDomainRank": 100 }
````

For a profile overview, set `"outputMode": "summary"` to get one rollup row per target instead.

#### Example output (one row per backlink)

```json
{
  "target": "ahrefs.com",
  "domain_from": "example.com",
  "url_from": "https://example.com/best-seo-tools",
  "anchor": "Ahrefs",
  "dofollow": true,
  "domain_from_rank": 100,
  "spam_score": 0,
  "first_seen": "2026-05-20 11:27:41 +00:00",
  "last_seen": "2026-05-23 22:14:31 +00:00"
}
```

### Pricing

A small per-run base fee plus a tiny charge per backlink — no subscription, no minimum.

### FAQ

**Can I check any website?** Yes — your own or any competitor's domain or URL.

**Can I filter for quality?** Yes — dofollow-only, exclude lost links, and minimum domain authority.

**How many backlinks per run?** Up to 1,000 per target, best first.

**Good for AI agents?** Yes — clean JSON, ideal for MCP servers, n8n, Make, and LLM agents.

***

*Tags: backlink checker, backlinks, referring domains, link building, backlink audit, anchor text, domain authority, ahrefs alternative, semrush alternative, seo backlinks, link analysis.*

# Actor input Schema

## `targets` (type: `array`):

Domains or URLs to check backlinks for, e.g. ‘ahrefs.com’. One per line. Up to 20 per run.

## `outputMode` (type: `string`):

backlinks = raw backlink rows. summary = totals, referring-domain count, dofollow % and spam rollup per target. anchors = anchor-text distribution. referring\_domains = deduped referring domains with authority rank.

## `limit` (type: `integer`):

Backlinks to fetch per target (1–1,000). For analysis modes this is the sample size aggregated into stats (defaults to 1,000).

## `dofollowOnly` (type: `boolean`):

Only return dofollow backlinks (the ones that pass SEO value).

## `excludeLost` (type: `boolean`):

Skip backlinks that are no longer live.

## `minDomainRank` (type: `integer`):

Only return backlinks from referring domains with at least this authority rank (0–1000). 0 = no filter.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "targets": [
    "ahrefs.com"
  ],
  "outputMode": "backlinks",
  "limit": 100,
  "dofollowOnly": true,
  "excludeLost": true,
  "minDomainRank": 0
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `dataset` (type: `string`):

All backlinks found for the targets.

## `summary` (type: `string`):

Targets and backlink counts.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "targets": [
        "ahrefs.com"
    ]
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("santhej/backlink-checker").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "targets": ["ahrefs.com"] }

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("santhej/backlink-checker").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "targets": [
    "ahrefs.com"
  ]
}' |
apify call santhej/backlink-checker --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=santhej/backlink-checker",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

```json
{
    "openapi": "3.0.1",
    "info": {
        "title": "Backlink Checker - Backlinks, Referring Domains & Anchors",
        "description": "Check backlinks for any domain or URL: referring page, anchor text, dofollow/nofollow, domain authority rank, spam score, and first/last seen dates. Filter by quality. Clean JSON/CSV for link audits & competitor research. An Ahrefs alternative. No API keys.",
        "version": "0.0",
        "x-build-id": "oOtwm7tZUpdWA1knm"
    },
    "servers": [
        {
            "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
        }
    ],
    "paths": {
        "/acts/santhej~backlink-checker/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-santhej-backlink-checker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/santhej~backlink-checker/runs": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "runs-sync-santhej-backlink-checker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK",
                        "content": {
                            "application/json": {
                                "schema": {
                                    "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        },
        "/acts/santhej~backlink-checker/run-sync": {
            "post": {
                "operationId": "run-sync-santhej-backlink-checker",
                "x-openai-isConsequential": false,
                "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
                "tags": [
                    "Run Actor"
                ],
                "requestBody": {
                    "required": true,
                    "content": {
                        "application/json": {
                            "schema": {
                                "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                "parameters": [
                    {
                        "name": "token",
                        "in": "query",
                        "required": true,
                        "schema": {
                            "type": "string"
                        },
                        "description": "Enter your Apify token here"
                    }
                ],
                "responses": {
                    "200": {
                        "description": "OK"
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    },
    "components": {
        "schemas": {
            "inputSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "targets": {
                        "title": "Domains / URLs",
                        "minItems": 1,
                        "maxItems": 20,
                        "type": "array",
                        "description": "Domains or URLs to check backlinks for, e.g. ‘ahrefs.com’. One per line. Up to 20 per run.",
                        "items": {
                            "type": "string"
                        }
                    },
                    "outputMode": {
                        "title": "Output mode",
                        "enum": [
                            "backlinks",
                            "summary",
                            "anchors",
                            "referring_domains"
                        ],
                        "type": "string",
                        "description": "backlinks = raw backlink rows. summary = totals, referring-domain count, dofollow % and spam rollup per target. anchors = anchor-text distribution. referring_domains = deduped referring domains with authority rank.",
                        "default": "backlinks"
                    },
                    "limit": {
                        "title": "Max backlinks per target",
                        "minimum": 1,
                        "maximum": 1000,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Backlinks to fetch per target (1–1,000). For analysis modes this is the sample size aggregated into stats (defaults to 1,000).",
                        "default": 100
                    },
                    "dofollowOnly": {
                        "title": "Dofollow only",
                        "type": "boolean",
                        "description": "Only return dofollow backlinks (the ones that pass SEO value).",
                        "default": true
                    },
                    "excludeLost": {
                        "title": "Exclude lost links",
                        "type": "boolean",
                        "description": "Skip backlinks that are no longer live.",
                        "default": true
                    },
                    "minDomainRank": {
                        "title": "Minimum domain rank",
                        "minimum": 0,
                        "maximum": 1000,
                        "type": "integer",
                        "description": "Only return backlinks from referring domains with at least this authority rank (0–1000). 0 = no filter.",
                        "default": 0
                    }
                }
            },
            "runsResponseSchema": {
                "type": "object",
                "properties": {
                    "data": {
                        "type": "object",
                        "properties": {
                            "id": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "actId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "userId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "startedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "finishedAt": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "format": "date-time",
                                "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
                            },
                            "status": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "READY"
                            },
                            "meta": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "origin": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "API"
                                    },
                                    "userAgent": {
                                        "type": "string"
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "stats": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "inputBodyLen": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2000
                                    },
                                    "rebootCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "restartCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "resurrectCount": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "computeUnits": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "options": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "build": {
                                        "type": "string",
                                        "example": "latest"
                                    },
                                    "timeoutSecs": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 300
                                    },
                                    "memoryMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1024
                                    },
                                    "diskMbytes": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 2048
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "buildId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultDatasetId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "defaultRequestQueueId": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "buildNumber": {
                                "type": "string",
                                "example": "1.0.0"
                            },
                            "containerUrl": {
                                "type": "string"
                            },
                            "usage": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 1
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            },
                            "usageTotalUsd": {
                                "type": "number",
                                "example": 0.00005
                            },
                            "usageUsd": {
                                "type": "object",
                                "properties": {
                                    "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATASET_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "number",
                                        "example": 0.00005
                                    },
                                    "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    },
                                    "PROXY_SERPS": {
                                        "type": "integer",
                                        "example": 0
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```