A backlink audit service that separates real problems from noise
A person reviews your link profile, separates real problems from harmless noise and gives you a clear recovery plan instead of a scary score.
Our backlink audit service is a manual review of the links pointing to your site. We find risky or manipulative links and check anchor text over optimization. We also list lost links worth reclaiming and prepare a disavow file only where justified. Audits cost $249 to $999 and take 5 to 7 days.
Google's systems already ignore most spammy links automatically, so random scraper sites and junk directories rarely hurt you. The real value of a link audit is understanding your profile, fixing past link schemes and recovering lost links.
Reviewed by a person
Tool flags are a starting point. A person checks every questionable domain before we call it a problem.
Disavow only when justified
We disavow clearly manipulative links or links tied to a manual action, not every low tool score.
Recovery, not just cleanup
We list lost and broken links you can reclaim, which often matters more than removing bad ones.
Link Audit Services pricing
Prices in USD. Subscribe to a monthly spend and save 10% on every order.
Basic Audit
Price (USD)- Up to 500 referring domains
- Toxic link review
- Disavow file ready to upload
- Summary report
Standard Audit
Price (USD)- Up to 2,000 referring domains
- Anchor text and link type analysis
- Toxic link review and disavow file
- Action plan
Advanced Audit
Price (USD)- 2,000+ referring domains
- Everything in Standard
- Lost and broken link recovery list
- Competitor comparison and strategy call
What does a backlink audit service check?
A backlink audit service checks 5 areas: manipulative links, anchor distribution, link types, lost links and referring domain quality.
- Manipulative links such as paid links without rel="sponsored" or rel="nofollow", link network placements, sitewide links and link exchanges.
- Anchor text distribution, to spot heavy exact match patterns that look engineered. Our article on anchor text covers healthy ratios.
- Link types, including the balance of editorial, profile, directory, comment and image links.
- Lost and broken links from good sites that now point to dead pages or were removed.
- Referring domain quality, judged on relevance, traffic and whether sites look like real publications.
When do you need a disavow file?
You need a disavow file only after a manual action for unnatural links, or for manipulative links you built or bought. Google's Search Console help on disavowing links says most sites do not need the tool. This decision table shows how we decide.
| Situation | Disavow? |
|---|---|
| Manual action for unnatural links in Search Console | Yes, after removal attempts |
| Past paid links or link schemes at scale, no manual action yet | Usually yes, for the manipulative domains only |
| Link network placements you cannot get removed | Yes, at domain level |
| Random scraper and junk sites you never built | No, Google already discounts them |
| Domains flagged only by a third party toxicity score | No, not on the score alone |
Third party toxicity metrics are estimates, not Google signals. Disavowing good links by mistake can cost rankings, so we say so when your site needs no disavow at all.
Which backlink audit package fits your site?
Match the package to your count of referring domains, shown in Search Console or any backlink tool.
| Referring domains | Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 | Basic Audit | $249 | Toxic link review, disavow file ready to upload, summary report |
| 501 to 2,000 | Standard Audit | $499 | Anchor and link type analysis, toxic link review, disavow file, action plan |
| Over 2,000 | Advanced Audit | $999 | Everything in Standard, lost and broken link recovery list, competitor comparison, strategy call |
Pair the audit with our competitor backlink analysis to see how your profile compares with the sites above you.
Who needs a link audit?
A link audit fits 5 situations, from manual actions to domain purchases.
- Manual actions. Sites with a manual action for unnatural links.
- Ranking drops. Businesses ruling links in or out as the cause of a drop.
- Acquired domains. New owners checking a domain's history.
- Past cheap packages. Brands that bought low quality link bundles in the past.
- Agency onboarding. Agencies setting a clear starting point for a new client.
Tracking new links over time needs only ongoing monitoring. Our guide to backlink monitoring covers that.
How does our backlink audit run, day by day?
Our backlink audit runs 5 to 7 days from data pull to delivery.
- Day 1, data collection. We combine Search Console link data with third party backlink indexes.
- Day 2, automated sorting. We group obvious patterns so manual time goes where it counts.
- Days 3 to 5, manual review. A person checks each questionable domain for relevance, traffic and signs of manipulation.
- Days 5 to 6, classification. Each flagged domain is marked keep, monitor, attempt removal or disavow.
- Days 6 to 7, delivery. You receive the report, action plan and, where justified, a formatted disavow file.
What are common link audit findings, and what do you do about them?
The most common findings are harmless scraper links, paid links without attributes and lost links from strong sites. This table pairs each finding with its typical action.
| Finding | Typical action |
|---|---|
| Random scraper and junk sites | Ignore; Google already discounts them |
| Paid links without nofollow or sponsored | Request change or removal, disavow on no response |
| Link network placements | Disavow at domain level |
| Heavy exact match anchors | Build branded and natural anchors going forward |
| Good links to dead pages | Redirect or restore the page to reclaim value |
| Lost links from strong sites | Contact the site to reinstate |
After cleanup, white hat link building keeps the profile healthy.
See how an order works
From order to live link in four steps. You get an email update at each step and an unbranded report at the end.
Related guides
Backlink Monitoring: How to Track, Protect and Recover Your Links
A practical guide to backlink monitoring: what to track, how often to check, how to recover lost backlinks and which warning signs need action right away.
What Is Anchor Text? Types, Ratios and Safe Optimization
Anchor text explained: the main types with examples, a sensible starting distribution for backlinks, and how to optimize without tripping filters.
SEO Metrics: What to Track, What to Ignore and Why
SEO metrics are everything you can measure in search. The 4 layers that matter, where Domain Rating fits, which vanity metrics to drop and when to check.
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Link Audit Services questions
Do toxic backlinks hurt my rankings?
Most do not. Google's systems ignore spammy links automatically, so random low quality links rarely cause harm. Links become a real concern when they form a pattern of manipulation, such as bought links or network placements, especially after a manual action. A backlink audit service tells those situations apart.
Do you always deliver a disavow file?
No. We prepare one when the audit finds clearly manipulative links or you have a manual action. A mostly natural profile with harmless spam gets a recommendation against disavowing. Disavowing good links by mistake can weaken your site, so we treat the disavow file as a precise tool, not a routine step.
How long does a link audit take?
Most audits are delivered in 5 to 7 days. Advanced tier profiles often take the full 7 days because of the manual review and competitor comparison. Contact us before ordering when you have an active manual action and need faster turnaround, and we confirm what is possible.
Can a backlink audit fix a manual action?
The audit gives you the inputs: a list of problem links, removal attempts where practical and a disavow file. You then submit a reconsideration request in Search Console explaining the cleanup. We help you document the work, though the final review and decision always rest with Google.
Which tools do you use for the audit?
We combine Google Search Console link data with third party backlink indexes such as Ahrefs, because no single source sees every link. Tool scores only sort and prioritize. A person makes the final call on each questionable domain, which avoids the false positives that automated toxic scores produce.
What happens after the audit?
You get an action plan covering what to remove, what to disavow, which lost links to reclaim and how to rebalance anchors. Clients often move into ongoing outreach to replace weak links with strong ones. Advanced audit clients also get a strategy call to talk through priorities.
Start building links in minutes
Place your first order in minutes. We email you at every stage and send an unbranded report when links go live. No contracts, no minimums.