Understanding where competitors earn their authority is one of the most actionable steps in any link-building strategy. A competitor backlink review is not about copying links; it is about using backlink data and referring domains to understand link quality, anchor text, and how dofollow backlinks and nofollow links shape an overall backlink profile. This guide walks through the entire process systematically, from identifying the right competitors to translating raw data into outreach wins.
What Is a Dofollow Backlink and Why Does It Matter?
Before analyzing a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile, it helps to understand what makes dofollow links distinctly valuable.
Dofollow links pass link equity, contributing to a site’s authority and SEO performance. Nofollow links, on the other hand, tell search engines not to pass equity. While nofollow links don’t directly boost rankings, they can still bring referral traffic and diversify a backlink profile.
The search engine robot follows dofollow links and treats them as a signal that the linking site is willing to transfer some of its equity or authority to another site. This type of link is generally preferable for site owners.
In practice, analyzing a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile means specifically filtering for the links that move the needle on rankings, not just the total volume of inbound links.
Why Analyzing a Competitor’s Dofollow Backlink Profile Is Strategically Valuable
By analyzing competitors’ backlinks, you can uncover the sites that boost their authority, spot patterns in their link-building strategies, and identify opportunities to replicate or even outperform their success.
Here is what a structured dofollow backlink profile analysis typically reveals:
Identifying competitor backlink sources helps you determine which sites are willing to link to content in your industry. Checking for link gaps highlights opportunities where your site is missing out on valuable links. Evaluating competitor backlinks by assessing quality helps determine which ones are worth pursuing. Tracking competitor backlink growth by observing trends helps adjust strategy to stay competitive.
According to Ahrefs, the number-one ranking page in Google search results gains between 5% and 14.5% more dofollow backlinks from new websites each month, which illustrates the compounding value of staying ahead of this analysis on an ongoing basis.
Step 1: Identify the Right Competitors to Analyze
Not every business competitor is worth analyzing for backlink intelligence. The goal is to identify SERP competitors whose sites currently outrank you for your target keywords.
How to identify SERP competitors:
- Search your primary keywords in Google and note the top 5–10 ranking domains
- Use Ahrefs’ Organic Competitors report or Semrush’s Organic Research to surface domains with keyword overlap
- Prioritize sites that rank consistently across multiple related keywords, not just one
If you have a new site, you should not try to surpass the backlink volume of sites much older than yours. As a benchmark, choose sites that are close in age and have high visibility for specific keywords.
Quick competitor vetting checklist:
| Criteria | What to Check |
| Organic traffic | Consistent traffic, not a spike-and-drop pattern |
| Domain age | Comparable to your own or slightly older |
| Niche relevance | Same or adjacent industry vertical |
| Keyword overlap | Competing on 20%+ of your target keywords |
| DR/DA range | Within a realistic gap from your current authority |
Step 2: Choose the Right Backlink Analysis Tool
SEO tools like Ahrefs, Moz, Semrush or backlinks status checker are go-to options for backlink analysis. In fact, 64% of SEO professionals prefer Ahrefs for its link data. Here is how leading tools compare for analyzing a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile:
| Tool | Best For | Dofollow Filter | Key Metric |
| Ahrefs | Largest backlink database, DR accuracy | Yes | Domain Rating (DR) |
| Semrush | Gap analysis, outreach workflow | Yes | Authority Score |
| Moz Link Explorer | Beginner-friendly, spam scoring | Yes | Domain Authority (DA) |
| Majestic | Trust Flow, Citation Flow analysis | Yes | Trust Flow (TF) |
| SEO SpyGlass | Budget-friendly desktop option | Yes | InLink Rank |
Ahrefs is a trusted name in backlink analysis. Its comprehensive data lets you spy on competitors’ backlinks, analyze their anchor text, and identify dofollow links that pass SEO value. Semrush provides detailed insights into competitor backlink profiles, including referring domains, link types, and geographic data. For most practitioners, Ahrefs or Semrush is the starting point. The workflow below uses Ahrefs as a reference, though the logic applies across platforms.
Step 3: Pull and Filter the Dofollow Backlink Data
Once you have chosen your tool, enter the competitor’s domain in Site Explorer (Ahrefs) or Domain Overview (Semrush).
Core filters to apply immediately:
- Link type: Set to “Dofollow” only
- One link per domain: Enable this to avoid inflated counts from the same referring domain
- DR filter: Start at DR 30+ to focus on links that carry meaningful authority
- Traffic filter: Set referring domain traffic to 1,000+ monthly visits minimum
For SEO purposes, you’re only interested in dofollow links, since they pass link juice. You can adjust the numbers in the Domain Rating and Domain Traffic filters, but focusing on DR 30+ sites with at least 1K monthly visitors ensures the links you get will be valuable. Enabling the “one link per domain” filter prevents you from being greeted with a bunch of duplicate domains.
Key data columns to export:
| Column | Why It Matters |
| Referring domain | The actual site linking to your competitor |
| DR/DA of the referring domain | Indicates authority passed |
| Anchor text | Reveals targeting intent and keyword strategy |
| Linked page (target URL) | Shows which pages attract the most links |
| Link first seen date | Identifies link velocity trends |
| Link type (dofollow/nofollow) | Confirms equity transfer |
Step 4: Assess the Dofollow/Nofollow Ratio
When analyzing backlinks to a competitor’s site, examine the ratio of dofollow to nofollow links. If the site’s link profile does not fit within the specified limits or consists only of dofollow links, it does not mean the search engine will react negatively or downgrade its position. The ratio may vary depending on the niche, region, and promotion strategy.
A natural-looking profile typically contains a mix. A purely dofollow profile can occasionally signal manipulation, while a high nofollow ratio may indicate the site relies heavily on social or press mentions that do not transfer equity.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that nofollow links are useless. The nofollow attribute is considered a recommendation, not a rule, and it can still be used to link to your site. Backlinks with the nofollow attribute make a site’s link profile appear more natural to the search engine, increase brand awareness, and contribute to the continued growth of dofollow links.
Use this ratio as a benchmark if competitors in your niche maintain a 70/30 dofollow-to-nofollow split, which gives you a realistic target range for your own profile.
Step 5: Categorize Dofollow Backlinks by Tier and Type
Not all dofollow links carry equal weight. By analyzing backlink types, you’ll identify easy wins, uncover competitor strategies, and refine outreach to focus on the most valuable opportunities. Backlinks aren’t built equally; some provide a significant boost in rankings, while others are useful for diversification but carry less weight.
A practical tiering framework:
| Tier | Link Type | DR Range | Priority |
| Tier 1 | Editorial links from niche-authoritative sites | DR 60+ | Highest |
| Tier 2 | Guest posts, resource pages, roundups | DR 30–60 | High |
| Tier 3 | Directories, forum mentions, low-DA blogs | DR 10–30 | Lower |
Tier 1 backlinks are high-authority, niche-relevant backlinks that provide the strongest SEO impact. Tier 2 backlinks add credibility and strengthen a backlink profile. Tier 3 lower-value links offer diversity but shouldn’t be a primary focus.
Within each tier, also categorize by link acquisition type:
- Editorial (earned): Linked naturally because the content was referenced
- Guest post: Contributed content with embedded link
- Resource page: Listed as a useful tool or reference
- Link insertion: Placed within existing content on a third-party site
- Directory listing: Niche-specific or general web directories
Understanding which types dominate a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile tells you what tactics they prioritize and which you can replicate or outpace.
Step 6: Analyze Anchor Text Distribution
Anchor text analysis is one of the most revealing steps in analyzing a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile. It shows how a site is being positioned across the web and whether its link-building strategy has any over-optimization risks.
Common anchor text categories:
| Anchor Type | Example | Risk Level |
| Exact match | “best SEO tools” | High if overused |
| Partial match | “tools for SEO campaigns” | Medium |
| Branded | “Ahrefs,” “Semrush” | Low |
| Naked URL | “www.domain.com“ | Low |
| Generic | “Click here,” “Read more” | Low |
| LSI/topical | “keyword research methods” | Low–Medium |
A healthy dofollow backlink profile generally shows a dominant share of branded and natural anchors, with partial-match and exact-match anchors making up a smaller percentage. If a competitor has a high exact-match ratio, they may be running manual link-building campaigns and may eventually face a penalty risk that you can avoid when building your own profile.
Step 7: Identify Referring Domains That Drive the Most Value
Key metrics include Domain Rating (DR) or Domain Authority (DA), which indicate the overall strength of a competitor’s backlink profile. You should also look at referring domains, the number of unique websites linking to the competitor, and the linking site’s relevance to your niche.
Sort the exported dofollow backlink data by DR (descending) and flag domains that:
- Have DR 50+ with relevance to your niche
- Have consistent organic traffic (visible in Ahrefs’ referring domain view)
- Have linked to multiple competitors in your space (a strong signal of topical trust)
- Publish content regularly and accept third-party contributions
These are your priority outreach targets. A site that has already linked to two or three competitors in your space is far more likely to link to you than a cold prospect with no prior engagement.
Step 8: Run a Backlink Gap Analysis
The backlink gap analysis is where the data becomes directly actionable. Most SEO tools have a “link intersect” or “gap analysis” feature. This allows you to compare competitors’ backlink profiles across multiple sites and identify websites that link to them but not to you. These are prime opportunities for outreach.
In Ahrefs: Use the Link Intersect tool under Competitive Analysis. Enter your domain and up to four competitor domains. Filter results to show domains that link to competitors but not to your site.
In Semrush: Navigate to Backlink Gap under Link Building. Enter competitor domains and switch the view to “Referring Domains” to surface the clearest opportunities.
Referring domains with links to all of the sites on your list, with yours getting the least, are your premium prospects for new backlinks.
Prioritize gap domains by:
- DR or DA score (higher = more valuable)
- Topical relevance to your content
- Whether they accept guest contributions, resource additions, or editorial pitches
- Traffic volume (not just authority)
Step 9: Evaluate the Content That Earns the Most Dofollow Links
Winning links from sites that already link to your competitors starts with content quality. Publishers link out because something was useful, clear, or genuinely better than what already existed. If a site has linked to you once, it can link to you again as a dofollow backlink, provided you give them a stronger reason.
In Ahrefs, use the “Best by Links” report for a competitor’s domain. Filter by dofollow. This shows which individual pages on the competitor’s site attract the most dofollow links.
Common high-earning content types:
| Content Format | Why It Attracts Dofollow Links |
| Original research/data studies | Cited as a source across industry content |
| Comprehensive guides/skyscraper content | Referenced as a definitive resource |
| Free tools/calculators | Linked by bloggers recommending utilities |
| Infographics | Embedded with dofollow attribution |
| Expert roundups | Contributors promote and link back |
| Statistics pages | Linked as a data source in other articles |
Identify the format pattern that dominates in your niche. If competitors earn most of their dofollow links through original research, that is a clear content investment signal.
Step 10: Check for Toxic or Manipulative Links in Competitor Profiles
Auditing competitor dofollow backlink profiles also means noting what not to replicate. Be alert for red flags when reviewing competitor backlinks. Common red flags include:
- Links from private blog networks (PBNs) – identifiable by thin content, same ownership patterns, and low traffic despite moderate DR
- Exact-match anchor text saturation across a short time window
- Sudden link velocity spikes with no corresponding content campaign
- Links from foreign-language domains with no topical relevance
- Sitewide footer or sidebar links
Regularly audit the backlink profile for low-quality or spammy links that could harm SEO. Use Google’s Disavow Tool to disassociate from toxic backlinks, particularly those from irrelevant or low-authority sources.
If a competitor appears to rely heavily on risky dofollow links, this is a strategic opportunity: build a cleaner, more sustainable profile, and you may ultimately outlast them in rankings without the volatility risk.
Step 11: Build an Outreach Strategy From Your Findings
Instead of guessing where to focus link-building efforts, use competitor insights to target the most impactful backlinks.
Translate your dofollow backlink analysis into a prioritized outreach list:
1 – Segment prospects by acquisition method:
- Resource page links → pitch your tool or guide as an addition
- Guest post links → identify editorial guidelines and pitch a topic
- Editorial links → create content worth referencing, then promote it
2 – Build a contact database:
Use Hunter.io, Snov.io, or built-in email finders in Semrush’s Link Building Tool to find editor or webmaster contacts for each priority domain.
3 – Personalize outreach at scale:
Reference the specific page that linked to your competitor. Explain what your resource adds that the competitor’s resource does not. Keep the pitch under 150 words.
4 – Track outreach status:
Use a simple CRM or a dedicated link-building tool (such as Pitchbox or BuzzStream) to log contact attempts, follow-ups, and conversions.
How Often Should You Analyze a Competitor’s Dofollow Backlink Profile?
Competitor link analysis isn’t just about acquiring more backlinks. It’s an ongoing process that helps clients stay ahead of competitors, improve rankings, and achieve long-term SEO results.
Recommended cadence:
| Frequency | Activity |
| Monthly | Check for new competitor dofollow links; identify freshly acquired referring domains |
| Quarterly | Full gap analysis refresh; audit anchor text distribution changes |
| Semi-annually | Re-tier competitor backlink profiles; recalibrate outreach targets |
| After major Google updates | Check for competitor link losses or gains that correlate with ranking shifts |
Set up alerts to notify you of new or lost backlinks, allowing for timely action to sustain positive momentum. Ahrefs and Semrush both offer email alerts when a tracked domain gains or loses significant referring domains.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced SEOs can misinterpret backlink data, so avoiding these common mistakes is essential for turning competitor analysis into meaningful ranking gains.
- Chasing total backlink volume: A site with 500 high-quality dofollow links will typically outperform one with 5,000 low-quality ones.
- Ignoring page-level analysis: Domain-level data alone may not show which specific pages attract the most valuable links.
- Replicating without improving: SEOs and link-builders agree that to outperform competitors, you can’t simply replicate the backlink profiles you need to surpass them.
- Skipping the relevance filter: A DR 80 link from an unrelated industry provides minimal benefit compared to a DR 40 link from a directly relevant domain.
- One-time analysis: Backlink landscapes shift constantly; a single audit is a snapshot, not a strategy.
Conclusion
Analyzing a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile is one of the highest-leverage activities in SEO when done with precision. The process moves through clear stages: identifying the right SERP competitors, pulling and filtering dofollow-specific data, tiering links by quality and type, dissecting anchor text patterns, running gap analysis, and translating findings into a targeted outreach plan.
The goal is not to copy what competitors have built. It is to understand the referral relationships, content formats, and domain categories that drive their authority, and then build something more credible, more relevant, and more link-worthy. With consistent analysis and disciplined outreach, a competitor’s dofollow backlink profile becomes a roadmap for your own link-building strategy.
