Welcome to my practical guide on link building tools! I'm here to walk you through the top 10 tools that revolutionize our strategies at Editorial.Link.
After all, effective link building isn't just about hard work; it's about using smart solutions. And using them wisely!
As an expert with 16+ years of experience, I've seen these tools turn good campaigns into great ones. Trust me, they're not just helpful; they're indispensable for pushing your site up in the SERP and enhancing your site authority.
Excited to learn how these tools can elevate your SEO efforts and expand your online presence? I'll guide you through each one, showing you how to build backlinks efficiently.
Let's keep things moving and see how these tools can transform your link-building efforts 😉
Wondering how SEO experts stay ahead? It all boils down to their use of link-building tools. Let me break it down for you.
First things first: what exactly are link building tools?
📝 Note: Did you know that according to our survey of SEO specialists, 64.4% named Ahrefs the best all-in-one SEO tool?
They're software solutions crafted to spot opportunities for snagging backlinks from other websites, helping you edge past competitors. These tools simplify key tasks like scouting for link prospects, managing outreach, and monitoring campaign success.
Now, why are these tools a must-have?
The thing is, without them, you’re basically navigating blind.
Link building tools equip you with critical insights to pinpoint high-quality sites, automate time-consuming tasks, and keep tabs on your SEO progress. Think of them as your comprehensive SEO toolkit, crafted to refine your strategies and clinch those vital backlinks.
They’re more than handy; they’re your strategy enhancers. With these tools, you can amplify your capacity to manage and grow your link profile—key for boosting your site's domain authority.
Curious to find out which tools fit your goals?
After reading my article, you will know exactly which tools match your link-building goals. Using the right tools means you can focus on strategic decisions rather than get bogged down with details. They're essential for moving the needle on your SEO efforts.
Stick around as I reveal how each tool can transform your link-building efforts!
Everyone has unique needs, don't they? Link building tools are no exception. This is where the right choice can vary greatly depending on your specific goals.
So today I’m going to help you find the right ones for your objectives.
Here's a snapshot of the top link building tools that we use at Editorial.Link, tailored to different SEO goals and budgets.
Whether you're looking to enhance your domain authority or simply manage your existing links more effectively, there's a tool out there for you.
Here's a breakdown:
Tool | Purpose | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
Ahrefs | Comprehensive SEO tool, backlink analysis | Premium | Extensive data, user-friendly | Pricey for beginners |
Semrush | SEO, content, competitor research | Premium | Broad feature set, good for competitor analysis | Can be overwhelming for new users |
Majestic | Backlink checking | Moderate | Large link index, historical data | Interface not as intuitive |
Pitchbox | Outreach and link building campaigns | Premium | Streamlines outreach, integrates with SEO tools | Cost can be high for small teams |
Hunter.io | Email finding tool | Free to moderate | Great for outreach, easy to use | Limited searches on free plan |
Connectively | Connects with journalists | Premium | Excellent for PR links, real-time updates | More expensive, niche focus |
Link Type Classifier | Analyzes types of links | Free to low cost | Useful for quick link type check, simple to use | Basic features, limited scope |
BrightLocal | Local SEO and link building | Moderate | Targeted for local businesses, detailed reports | Mainly useful for local SEO only |
Moz Pro | SEO toolset, includes link analysis | Premium | Well-established, comprehensive tools | Might be costly for budget constraints |
Backlinkmanager.io | Manage and monitor backlinks | Moderate to premium | Efficient link management, good tracking | Slightly complex for beginners |
Here’s what these tools bring to the table:
Interested in a deeper look?
I'll guide you through how each tool can enhance your SEO efforts, helping you secure the influential links that elevate your brand.
🚨 At Editorial.Link, we use advanced link building tools and understand how to get you quality backlinks, no matter your site's DR or DA. We work with respected companies like podium.com and hubspot.com to deliver links that truly enhance your site’s authority.
Stick with me as we explore the features that make each tool indispensable for your SEO toolkit.
Ahrefs is a powerhouse in the SEO community, well-known for its robust toolset that helps marketers boost their site’s visibility and performance.
Here’s a quick look at why it’s our favorite (and also the #1 choice among many SEO professionals).
Known primarily for its in-depth backlink analysis, Ahrefs provides a clear picture of your website’s backlink profile and the search traffic it attracts.
With this tool, building links and analyzing your competitors becomes easier. After all, Ahrefs boasts the 2nd most active crawler next to Google. With a backlink index of over 3 trillion live links, it stands as one of the top tools globally for backlink research.
The latter is, in fact, a crucial daily activity for any skilled link builder 😉
This feature is crucial for sizing up your competition and refining your own SEO strategies.
Content Explorer is ideal for those specializing in outreach and broken link building, this tool allows you to uncover articles, track new posts, and find opportunities for links that others might have missed.
Site Explorer is key for digging into a site's backlink profile. It shows you the sources of your competitors' links, highlights pages to target, and helps you spot new link opportunities. Thus, you can develop more informed, effective link building approaches.
Ahrefs offers several pricing options to fit various needs:
For a detailed breakdown of what each plan includes, check out their pricing page here: Ahrefs Pricing.
Ahrefs remains a vital platform for anyone involved in SEO. Whether you're analyzing backlinks, researching keywords, or tracking your rankings, Ahrefs helps you stay informed and competitive.
Meet Semrush, Arefs’ predecessor and all-in-one alternative. If you're diving into the deep end of link building, you'll want it by your side.
Known for its versatility in SEO and digital marketing, Semrush offers specialized tools that can significantly amplify your link-building efforts.
Let's explore why this service is so beneficial for you.
Semrush provides a robust suite of tools tailored to enhance your link building strategies. From analyzing competitor links to managing outreach campaigns, it covers all bases to ensure you're always one step ahead.
Ready to discover how? Here’s a closer look.
Backlink Gap: This tool helps spot untapped link opportunities. How does it work? Just input your domain alongside up to four competitors and find out which websites link to your rivals (but not to you).
With this data, you can then target these sites in your link-building campaigns, increasing your chances of getting backlinks. This is how you can understand where you stand and where you can improve.
Link Building Tool: Imagine having a tool that finds link opportunities based on your keywords and competition and helps you reach out and track your campaign's progress.
That's exactly what Semrush's Link Building Tool does.
Enter your domain and some key competitors, and you'll get a list of potential link sources categorized by their relevance and authority. From there, you can manage your outreach directly through Semrush, keeping all your link-building activities streamlined and efficient.
Semrush offers three main pricing tiers to accommodate different needs and budgets:
Each plan escalates in features, with more extensive project limits and data access, making Semrush a scalable option for businesses of all sizes.
There’s a broad suite of marketing tools that extend beyond SEO. While Ahrefs is a powerhouse for backlink analysis and SEO details, Semrush provides added features for social media, PPC, and content marketing.
Just give it a shot and watch the results roll in 😉
Majestic really shines when it comes to backlink tracking, offering focused tools that enhance site authority through strategic link building.
Specializing in backlink insights, Majestic reveals key details about your site’s link profile and helps you avoid low-quality links while capturing more valuable ones.
Majestic’s pricing is surprisingly affordable:
Use the 'Topics' feature to pinpoint and engage with websites that match your content’s theme—this way, every link you build adds real value.
Additionally, the 'Referring Domains' report allows you to track and improve your site’s Trust and Citation Flow scores, helping you maintain a competitive edge.
Majestic gives you the insights needed to craft smarter SEO strategies and secure higher-quality links. If you’re looking to enhance your SEO efforts and gain a competitive edge, exploring Majestic's capabilities could be a great move.
Pitchbox is a great tool if you want to streamline your link-building campaigns. It's transformative, especially if your goal is to boost outreach and snag more quality backlinks efficiently.
Why Pitchbox?
Because timing and relevance are everything. And if you're serious about amplifying your forging meaningful connections, Pitchbox is a tool you should try.
Since 2012, it has been fine-tuned to help SEO pros and agencies do one thing incredibly well: connect effectively. Imagine launching a campaign that feels personal to each recipient, scales across hundreds of prospects, and requires minimal manual effort. That’s Pitchbox.
Source: https://pitchbox.com/
It’s designed to handle the heavy lifting of campaign management, from initial contact to follow-up, making it perfect for large-scale operations like Skyscraper campaigns and guest posting.
It's the go-to for finding the right people and making sure your emails land in the right inboxes at the right time.
Pitchbox’s winning combo:
Here’s a quick vid to know what to expect from Pitchbox.
Why do we choose Pitchbox?
Here’s a breakdown:
The first plan is great for SEO teams needing an extensive toolkit. The second one is tailored for large businesses seeking robust support and customization options.
Also, each plan comes with dedicated support and training. Both plans aim to enhance your SEO and link building effectiveness, tailored to fit different team sizes and needs.
You can learn more about Pitchbox’s pricing here.
Hunter.io automates the hunt for contact details, scraping the web in seconds to fetch email addresses from a list of websites you upload. And it doesn't stop there.
You might wonder about its accuracy. Well, Hunter.io verifies each found email to ensure you're connecting with real people. This tool doesn't just gather emails; it checks them against multiple sources, boosting your confidence in the data provided.
Hunter.io is equipped with handy tools to find, verify, and manage email contacts effectively, ensuring you’re always reaching the right people.
📝 Note: According to our link building survey, 37.2% of link building specialists surveyed named Hunter.io the best email finder.
Now, what about integration?
Once Hunter.io gathers all the details, you can export them in CSV format, making it easy to incorporate them into your existing tools. This saves you time and streamlines your outreach efforts.
Source: https://hunter.io/
And here’s something you’ll really like: Hunter.io offers a free plan that allows up to 50 searches per month—perfect for testing the waters or handling smaller campaigns.
Need more?
Their paid plans range from $34 to $349 per month, designed to cater to larger enterprises with more extensive needs.
Hunter's pricing is structured to accommodate everyone, from freelancers to large corporations:
Think about the hassle of sending emails to generic addresses and getting no replies. Frustrating, right? Hunter.io solves this by providing direct access to verified emails, drastically reducing the chance of your outreach efforts going unnoticed.
With its suite of features, Hunter.io not only finds the email addresses but ensures they are the right ones, making your link building efforts smoother and more productive.
Connectively, previously known as Help a Reporter Out (HARO), is a unique platform that bridges the gap between journalists and sources.
What's the big deal?
Well, it allows SEO professionals to secure valuable backlinks from high-authority sites.
Imagine this: major publications like The New York Times or Mashable might feature your expertise. How? Through Connectively, where journalists from DR 80+ websites frequently scout for knowledgeable sources.
Engaging with this platform can significantly elevate your site's credibility and boost your SEO efforts.
Sign up on the website, specify your areas of expertise, and you’ll start receiving daily emails with requests from journalists. These emails detail what the journalists need and how you can contribute.
Responding promptly and effectively to these queries can make you a go-to source, not just providing you with exposure but also linking back to your site in major articles. But remember, the competition is fierce.
Source: https://www.connectively.us/
Everyone wants those high-value links. So, what can you do to stand out? Be quick to reply, keep your responses succinct yet substantial, and aim to provide quotable insights that journalists can easily incorporate into their stories.
📝 Note: Based on survey, 28.3% of the surveyed link building specialists voted for HARO link building as one of the most effective link building tactics.
Connectively offers a variety of pricing plans to suit different levels of engagement and outreach needs.
Here's a quick review of each plan:
If you need more than what their current plan offers, additional pitches can be purchased in batches of 5, 25, or 50 at any time during the month. This flexibility ensures that you can scale your outreach efforts in line with your evolving needs.
Using Connectively means positioning yourself as an authority in your field and getting recognized by top news outlets. For alternative platforms that offer similar benefits, consider checking out:
So if crafting quick, compelling responses sounds daunting to you, HARO link building service can help maximize your results.
At my company, Editorial.Link, we've developed a simple tool that's become essential for SEO professionals and digital marketers: The Link Type Classifier.
This free tool is specifically designed to clarify the types of backlinks a website has (e.g. Guest Posts (Paid), Editorial Sites, PR Media Sites, etc.), using a robust database with details on over 100,000 domains.
What sets the Link Type Classifier apart is its ability to process bulk queries efficiently:
Our database is not only vast but also up-to-date. Every day. This ensures that all classifications are based on the most current data available, providing you with accurate and actionable insights.
The Link Type Classifier is especially useful for understanding the type and quality of backlinks pointing to your site (or your competitors'). You can use it to strategize more effectively 😉
BrightLocal is a great tool when you need to enhance local search visibility and manage SEO more efficiently.
I recently used BrightLocal to generate a report for a local hotspot, John's Pizzeria in Times Square, New York, to analyze its search engine rankings and discovered several areas for improvement.
This tool excels in both citation monitoring and building, crucial for maintaining accuracy in your business listings—a key factor in local SEO success. BrightLocal allows you to assess your performance against local competitors effectively, helping to pinpoint critical areas where your business could enhance its visibility.
One of the standout features of BrightLocal is its comprehensive approach to managing NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) consistency.
It identifies and resolves citation issues such as missing, duplicate, or inconsistent entries, which are essential for boosting your local ranking.
This way, you can ensure your potential customers find accurate information about your business.
Key Features:
📝 Note: BrightLocal is designed specifically for WordPress websites, operating as a plugin which might limit its use for platforms built on other systems.
On its Plans and Pricing page, BrightLocal offers three tailored plans:
Trusted by over 5,000 agencies and big brands such as iProspect and Hilton, BrightLocal is about delivering results that translate into better local search rankings and more effective management of your online reputation.
If you aim to sharpen your competitive edge or push client growth, Moz delivers tools essential for success.
Need top-notch link building tools?
Look no further than Moz's Link Explorer. This tool dives deep into your backlink profile, revealing who's linking to you and your competitors, and opens up opportunities to strengthen your connections.
Using Link Explorer, you can emulate successful strategies and secure valuable linked mentions.
Concerned about low-quality links?
Moz's Spam Score feature is invaluable. It assesses the quality of your backlinks and guides you on how to disavow those that might land you in hot water with Google, safeguarding your site’s reputation.
Moz also offers a comprehensive suite with features like Keyword Explorer for uncovering traffic-driving keywords and Domain Analysis for monitoring your site’s authority, Moz equips you to elevate your SEO strategy.
Here’s what sets Moz apart for link builders:
Moz plans start at $99 per month, designed to accommodate various levels of SEO expertise.
You can choose from several plans tailored to various professional needs, from solo consultants to large agencies.
Each plan builds upon the features of the previous one, providing greater capacity and additional tools as you move up the tiers:
📝 Note: Choosing an annual payment saves 20% compared to monthly billing. This makes Moz a scalable solution for a wide array of SEO activities, from link analysis to content marketing.
Crafted by Michal Jackowski, BacklinkManager.io is a cutting-edge, free tool that's quickly becoming indispensable for Digital Agencies and SaaS companies looking to excel in link-building.
This tool streamlines the entire process with its robust CRM capabilities, link monitoring, alerts, and much more.
Source: https://backlinkmanager.io/
BacklinkManager’s automated link monitoring system efficiently tracks the status of your backlinks, saving significant time and effort by alerting you to changes like do-follow to no-follow switches, page errors, or link removals.
Source: https://backlinkmanager.io/
Plus, it ensures you stay on top of your collaborations with reminders for follow-ups on link requests or fixes for broken links.
Here’s why this tool is worth your time:
BacklinkManager’s price plans are as follows:
BacklinkManager.io significantly boosts productivity by centralizing the management of various link-building activities.
GetProspect is a powerful email finder platform with a toolkit for searching & interacting with key influencers and website owners about potential backlinking opportunities. Here, you can find their LinkedIn URLs, email addresses and directly establish contact with your niche reps.
Main search features:
What does good email deliverability give? You will get more connections and collaborations and can uplevel the site's authority and relevance in search engine algorithms.
But what if some people don't respond to your cold emails? Then, you need to reach them via LinkedIn. With some of your contacts, this can be a more efficient interaction way.
To find a LinkedIn profile, go to Enrich block and select Email Lookup or upload the CSV file for bulk enrichment.
The second way to find this data is the GetProspect database search. There are many relevant contacts if selecting the appropriate filters (17+ filters – Industry, Departments, Location, Technology, etc.).
GetProspect offers a subscription to match any size company (annual subscription available at a discount).
Pricing for monthly payments:
Link building tools simplify how you create and manage backlinks, directly boosting your site’s visibility and search engine rankings.
With the ones described in my article, spotting high-quality link opportunities becomes a breeze, outreach gets automated, and campaign tracking becomes straightforward.
Moreover, these tools allow you to properly focus on crafting winning strategies rather than getting bogged down by the day-to-day tasks of link building.
Thanks for diving into the world of link-building tools with me. As we've explored some of the top options out there, it's clear that each one brings something special to the table.
From the depth of data with Ahrefs to Moz's rich SEO capabilities, these tools are designed to make your SEO work not just easier, but more effective.
Whether you're working solo or running a large agency, choosing the right tool—and using it effectively—can dramatically elevate your ability to enhance your online presence and stay competitive.
🚨 At Editorial.Link, we excel at using the right tools effectively to secure high-quality, contextually relevant links for our clients. Let us show you how with the right tools and the right approach, you can achieve stellar results.