Monitoring competitors’ backlinks reveals where they earn mentions, which pages attract links, and which relationships are driving authority. This guide outlines a repeatable workflow using Ahrefs (paid) and Google Alerts (free) to track new and lost backlinks at the domain, subfolder, and page level.
Why monitor competitor backlinks?
- See what works: Identify link sources, formats, and topics that consistently attract links in a niche.
- Find replicable wins: Spot directories, resource pages, roundups, or local features worth pursuing.
- Track momentum: New vs. lost links show who’s gaining or slipping and where.
- Inform strategy: Guide content planning, digital PR, partnerships, and outreach.
Tools used
- Ahrefs (paid): Reliable backlink discovery plus “New” and “Lost” alerts for domains, subfolders, and exact URLs.
- Google Alerts (free): Web-wide monitoring for brand, author, and domain mentions that often correspond to link opportunities.
Part 1: Ahrefs backlink alerts
Set up alerts for a site, a section (e.g., blog), or specific high-value pages.
Step 1 — Open Alerts
- Log in to Ahrefs.
- Navigate to Tools → Alerts (or More → Alerts).
- Click New alert.
Step 2 — Choose scope
- Entire domain (e.g., example.com) for broad competitor tracking.
- Subfolder/section (e.g., https://example.com/blog/) to analyze content hubs.
- Exact URL to monitor a key landing page, case study, or guide.
Example placeholder: a site like mrrooter.com may be added purely for demonstration purposes.
Step 3 — Configure the alert
- Type: Backlinks (New & Lost)
- Frequency: Weekly (active prospecting) or Monthly (low-touch)
- Filters: Start broad; optionally filter later by DR, platform, or language
- Delivery: Select the email address for reports
Step 4 — Track content sections
Target a subfolder (e.g., /blog/) to learn which topics and formats earn links. Use weekly cadence to catch patterns early.
Step 5 — Monitor high-value pages
For pages with numerous referring domains—or competitor pages outranking target keywords—set URL-level alerts to capture every new and lost backlink tied to that page.
Practical tips
- Prioritize by quality: Sort by referring domain DR and estimated traffic.
- Use “Lost” as a to-do list: Lost links can be reclaimed (own site) or replaced (competitors).
- Keep simple tracking: A sheet with Date, Source URL, DR, Anchor, Target Page, Type (New/Lost), Notes, Status is sufficient.
- Include your own site: Alerts surface both valuable wins and early signs of toxic links.
Part 2: Google Alerts for mentions (and easy link opportunities)
Step 1 — Create alerts
Set alerts for:
- Brand names: “Brand Name” and common misspellings
- Domain: “example.com”
- Authors/spokespeople: “First Last”
- Competitors: “Competitor Brand” and “competitor.com”
Step 2 — Tune settings
Google Alerts doesn’t index backlinks directly, but it’s effective for catching mentions that often include links—or should include them.
- Frequency: At most once a day (or as-it-happens for time-sensitive niches)
- Sources: Automatic (All) to start
- Language/Region: Match target market
- Results volume: “All results” for comprehensive monitoring; “Only the best” to reduce noise
- Delivery: Email or RSS
Useful query patterns
- Brand/domain: “Brand Name” OR “brandname” “example.com”
- People: “First Last”
- Competitor watch: “Competitor Brand” OR “competitor.com”
- Opportunity patterns: “topic” AND “resources” · “topic” AND “list of tools”
- Site scoping for research: site:competitor.com “resources” (for prospect lists)
What to do with mentions
- Unlinked mentions: Politely request a link where relevant.
- Fresh PR: Note publications that feature competitors; pitch appropriate angles.
- Partner/vendor pages: Ensure inclusion (with a link) where applicable.
A simple weekly workflow (30–45 minutes)
Review Ahrefs alerts
- Flag New links by relevance and DR.
- Add Lost links to reclamation/replacement tasks.
Scan Google Alerts
- Save relevant mentions to a “Link Opportunities” tab.
- Identify unlinked mentions for quick outreach.
Prioritize outreach
- Start with high-relevance, high-traffic referring domains.
- Tailor angles to each site’s content format and audience.
Update status
- Track outreach with Prospect, Why They Link, Pitch Angle, Contact, Date, Status, Outcome.
Outreach angles that commonly perform
- Add missing value: Provide a unique stat, visual, or clarifier worth citing.
- Match the format: Offer expert commentary for roundups or quotes.
- Topical/local fit: For service areas, local directories, chambers, and sponsorships carry strong topical signals.
- Refresh opportunities: If a page cites outdated info, offer an up-to-date resource.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Alerts a backlink tracker?
No. It surfaces mentions that may include links or can be converted into links.
Is a paid tool necessary?
For consistent “new vs. lost” link intelligence, a dedicated backlink index (e.g., Ahrefs) is typically necessary.
How often should monitoring occur?
Weekly is a practical default; daily can suit news-driven or PR-heavy verticals.
Can a single section (e.g., a blog) be tracked separately?
Yes—use the subfolder URL in Ahrefs Alerts to focus on specific content areas.
Ethical guidelines
- Use competitor insights to inform strategy, not to duplicate content or pitches verbatim.
- Avoid low-quality link schemes; prioritize relevance, usefulness, and transparency.
Summary
- Ahrefs Alerts: Configure domain, subfolder, and page-level alerts to capture New and Lost backlinks.
- Google Alerts: Track brand, domain, and people mentions that reveal link opportunities.
- Weekly rhythm: Review alerts, prioritize by relevance/quality, and run focused outreach.
Applied consistently, this process provides clear visibility into competitor link activity and a structured path to earning stronger, more sustainable backlinks.
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