Quick answer: Use Serpstat backlink analysis to understand who links to competitors, which pages attract links, and where a realistic outreach or digital PR opportunity exists.
Start With Competitor Pages, Not Just Domains
Domain-level backlink data is useful, but page-level link patterns are often more actionable. Look at which competitor guides, reviews, statistics pages, or tools attracted links.
That tells you what kind of asset you may need to build before outreach has a reason to work.
Separate Useful Links From Noise
Not every backlink is worth copying. Prioritize relevant referring domains, editorial links, resource pages, partner mentions, and pages that clearly match your niche.
Use anchor text as a clue, not a script. Over-optimized anchor targets can create risk if you try to imitate them mechanically.
Build A Link Gap List
A good link gap list is short enough to act on. Find domains linking to multiple competitors but not to you, then decide whether your existing page deserves a pitch or whether you need a stronger asset first.
Pair Backlinks With Internal Links
External links help more when the target page sits inside a clear internal-link structure. Connect your strongest backlink targets to the relevant hub and supporting articles.
Best For
- Competitor link-gap research.
- Planning outreach for high-value guides or tools.
- Auditing why competing pages outrank yours.
Skip If
- You expect backlink data to replace editorial judgment.
- You are looking for automated low-quality link building.
FAQ
Is Serpstat useful for backlink analysis?
Yes. It can help analyze referring domains, competitor backlinks, anchor text, and link gaps that may inform outreach.
Should I copy competitor backlinks?
No. Use competitor links to understand patterns and opportunities, then build a relevant asset and outreach plan.
What is the most useful backlink metric?
Relevance and link context matter more than any single metric. A smaller number of relevant editorial links can be more useful than many weak links.
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About the Author
Joseph Nilo is an experienced web developer, specializing in Python and Django development and SEO.
He's been creating websites, content, podcasts, and videos for the web for over 25 years.