According to MOZ survey, 90% search rankings are strongly affected by backlink quality.
Analyzing backlinks helps you clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of competitors in the market. DPS.MEDIA has consulted and implemented for hundreds of SMEs, helping optimize backlink sources to achieve sustainable growth.
The importance of analyzing competitor backlinks in SEO strategy for SMEs
Why can't SMEs ignore competitor backlinks?
Monitoring competitor backlinks helps small businesses better understand how Google evaluates and ranks. Instead of starting from zero, you can learn from what already exists - saving time and costs.
According to Ahrefs 2022 research, 91% websites do not receive organic traffic because they have no or low-quality backlinks. This indicates that a smart SEO strategy always starts from analyzing competitors.
Practical benefits of backlink analysis
SMEs can leverage competitor backlink analysis to:
– Identify which websites frequently backlink to competitors → potential for outreach
– Detect types of content with high performance → suggest content strategy
– Analyze common anchor texts → adjust internal linking structure accordingly
– Monitor link increase/decrease trends → detect ongoing SEO campaigns
Checklist: Steps to implement effectively
Follow the checklist below to get started:
- 🔍 Choose up to 3 direct competitors
- 📊 Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush or Ubersuggest
- 📝 Export competitor backlink data in CSV/Excel format
- 🏷️ Classify domains by quality (DR/DA)
- 📧 Create a list of reputable websites for link building outreach
Real example
A local fashion business analyzed backlinks of 2 competitors and found 15 websites frequently mentioning competitors' products. After contacting and sending samples, they received 9 new links, helping increase organic traffic by 35% in just 2 months (according to Google Search Console March 2023).
Quick comparison table of backlink sources
| Backlink source | DR index (Ahrefs) | Can be contacted? |
|---|---|---|
| Product review blogs | 72 | Yes |
| Industry forums | 54 | Yes (registration required) |
| News aggregator sites | 88 | Difficult (prioritize for large brands) |
Barriers and precautions to avoid
– Not all backlinks from old competitors are easy to reclaim – avoid blind “copy-paste.”
– Do not abuse spam/sell link websites, Google has tightened algorithms since 2021 (source: Google Search Central).
– Check link quality before including in outreach strategy.
How to choose effective tools to monitor and analyze competitor backlinks
Criteria for selecting suitable tools
To analyze backlinks accurately, you need to choose tools that meet the following points:
- Regular update index: Latest data helps keep up with competitors' strategies
- Ability to filter quality domains: Prioritize backlinks from domains with high DR
- Compare multiple competitors: Analyze multiple domains simultaneously to save time
- Export and classify data easily: Support filtering by anchor text, link type (dofollow/nofollow)
Example: In an education SEO campaign, DPS.MEDIA Ahrefs was used to compare backlink profiles of 3 major universities in Ho Chi Minh City. Results showed one competitor had up to 60% backlinks from industry directories (source: Ahrefs, 2023).
📌 tip: Don’t just focus on quantity, evaluate the reliability of links and source of each backlink. A link from an industry newspaper can be stronger than 100 links from forums.
Recommended tools for use
Below is a quick comparison of some popular tools:
| Tool | Key highlights | Cost (USD/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Ahrefs | Continuously updated data, detailed competitor analysis | 99+ |
| SEMrush | Combines SEO + advertising + social tracking | 119+ |
| Ubersuggest | User-friendly interface, suitable for SMEs | 29-49 |
Action checklist when choosing tools
- ✅ Identify analysis needs: one-time or long-term tracking
- ✅ Trial version (free trial) at least 7 days
- ✅ Compare results between 2 tools to verify accuracy
- ✅ Integration into the current digital team's workflow
🧭 Note: Some cheap tools may not collect enough data from the Vietnamese market. Ưu First, platforms must be able to crawl local domains (.vn, .com.vn).
Brief conclusion
Choosing the right tool is the foundation for the competitor backlink research process. It doesn't have to be the most expensive, just the most suitable for your current SEO strategy.
Factors to evaluate in backlink profiles to identify opportunities and limit hidden risks
Quality of linked domain names
Evaluating domain quality is the first step to determine if a backlink is really valuable.
Ưu First, links from domains with high DR/DA scores (above 50). According to Ahrefs (Backlink Report 2023), links from domains with DR >70 help increase average 32% organic traffic within 3 months.
- Check DR/DA scores using tools like Ahrefs, Moz
- Verify spam score - avoid sites with spam score >10%
- Pay attention to link context – backlinks should come from relevant content
Naturalness level & anchor text
Backlinks can be penalized by Google if anchor text is unnatural. Check how many exact keyword anchors your competitor has.
Types of linked pages & internal link structure
Not all links have equal value. Some types of links from sites like reputable blogs, opinion articles, industry-specific sites are much better signals compared to forum or footer links.
- Ưu First, backlinks from sites with consistent traffic (at least 500 visits/month – according to SimilarWeb)
- Sites should have internal link support instead of just “landing pages”
- Avoid backlinks from PBNs or sites with excessive outbound links
Checklist for evaluating competitive backlinks
| Criteria | Priority level | Recommended tools |
|---|---|---|
| DR/DA ≥ 50 | High | Ahrefs / Moz |
| Traffic ≥ 500/month | Average | SimilarWeb / SEMrush |
| natural anchor text | High | Ahrefs / Screaming Frog |
| No signs of spam | High | Spam Score (Moz) |
Real example: Competitor backlink analysis in the SAAS industry
A SAAS company in Ho Chi Minh City analyzed the backlinks of 3 top competitors. They discovered that most of the valuable backlinks come from reputable blogs like TechInAsia and Medium – with DR 70+ and stable traffic >1,000 visits/month.
After approaching and publishing guest posts on 2 similar platforms, organic traffic increased by 22% after 60 days (according to internal Google Search Console data, 2023).
Common challenges and risks
- Backlinks from penalized domains can have adverse effects
- Copying the competitor's original anchor text without checking the context may lead to over-optimization
- Buying backlinks from low-quality sites risks Google filtering backlinks or sandboxing
Brief takeaway
Evaluating competitive backlink profiles is not just about examining each link – but about finding effective, repeatable models, from which to shape a smart, safe, and sustainable SEO strategy.
Backlink building strategy based on strengths and weaknesses from competitor analysis
Analysis of competitor backlink strengths
To create a competitive advantage, focus on "replicating" the quality links your competitors currently have:
- Use Ahrefs, SEMrush to filter backlinks from reputable domains (DR > 50).
- Prioritize backlinks of type dofollow, from fields closely related to you.
- Note the pages where competitors frequently post content to understand their posting rules.
Example: A real estate agency discovered 70% backlinks from competitors coming from industry-specific forums like batdongsan.com.vn – then posted articles in the same category and achieved +18% organic traffic after 3 months (Source: Ahrefs 2023).
Exploiting weaknesses – Opportunities competitors overlook
Not every competitor optimizes channels to the maximum. You can exploit these gaps to get ahead:
- Competitors lacking links from personal blogs, podcasts, or review sites? Focus on "filling the gaps".
- Broken links or inactive backlinks (404) are opportunities to propose replacements with your own articles.
- Underrepresented on local directories or Google Business? Secure those positions as early as possible.
Backlink action strategy checklist
- Choose 2-3 backlink analysis tools like Ahrefs or Ubersuggest.
- Export the list of linking domains by DR and industry.
- Group: copy, improve, or replace backlinks.
- Create equivalent or better content to propose link placements.
- Plan outreach with a clear checklist: channels, timing, targets.
Strategy comparison table by strengths / weaknesses
| Criteria | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Number of backlinks | High from major newspapers | Few on forums or personal blogs |
| Link quality | From sites with DR > 70 | Lack of focus on secondary fields |
| Diversity of sources | Social media, press | Lack of local listings, niche platforms |
Warning: Risks when copying backlinks
- Not all links should be copied - some may be considered spam by Google if used incorrectly.
- Links from PBN (Private Blog Networks) or sites flagged by algorithms can negatively affect your website.
Takeaway
Analyzing competitor backlinks not only helps catch up but also identifies strategic gaps. Continuously monitor, update, and adjust strategies monthly to maintain long-term advantages.
How to combine backlink data with content and user experience to optimize SEO effectiveness
Classifying backlinks by target content
Before editing content, analyze where backlinks come from and which pages they point to. Group backlinks by topic to see which content naturally attracts links.
- Check which content types receive the most backlinks: blog posts, landing pages, or infographics?
- Check anchor texts to understand the linking intent and the keywords associated.
- Compare this data with the top 10 strong content of competitors via Ahrefs or SEMrush.
Adjusting content based on user behavior
Once you identify pages with many quality backlinks, check UX metrics like time on page and conversion rate from Google Analytics. If users don't stay long, review:
- Page load time - heavy images and resources can reduce experience.
- Is the content duplicated or outdated?
- Is the CTA clear and aligned with the search intent?
Example: A light industrial B2B company found a comparison post between technology A and B had many backlinks (12 backlinks from 8 domains) but a scroll rate below 50%. After updating the structure for readability and adding a descriptive video, time on page increased by 43% after 2 months (Google Analytics – Q1/2023).
Optimization according to backlink lifecycle
Not all backlinks have long-term value. Regularly check backlinks that have lost effectiveness or come from weak domains. Quarterly:
- Check lost backlinks to update content or contact webmasters.
- Check the authority (DR/DA) of domains linking back – are they declining?
- Refresh content if backlinks point to old pages that still receive traffic.
Action checklist
| Actions | Frequency | Suggested tools |
|---|---|---|
| Check lost backlinks | Monthly | Ahrefs / Monitor Backlinks |
| Match UX with backlink performance | Quarterly | Google Analytics + Looker Studio |
| Update landing page content | 6 months/once | Surfer SEO + GSC |
Takeaway
Backlinks help build reputation, but to rank sustainably, content and user experience are the real driving forces. Use backlink data as a suggestion – not the only compass in your SEO strategy.
Planning to sustainably improve backlink quality in the competitive digital environment in Vietnam
Determining priority index for backlinks
An effective backlink strategy should be based on specific metrics such as Domain Rating (DR), Trust Flow (TF), natural anchor text ratio, and industry relevance. Selecting backlinks based on quality rather than quantity is a practical trend recommended by many SEO experts in Vietnam – a highly competitive but fragmented search market.
- Prioritize backlinks from pages with DR > 50 (Ahrefs)
- Avoid exact anchor text repeated too many times (>10%)
- Build links from sites in the same field, .vn
Checklist for improving backlink profiles
- ✔ Remove links from spam or irrelevant domains (use Google Disavow tool)
- ✔ Analyze backlinks of top 3 competitors with Ahrefs/SEMrush
- ✔ Set a goal to build 10 new backlinks from authority blogs/press brands in Vietnam each quarter (e.g., CafeF, VietnamBiz)
- ✔ Diversify anchor text by ratio: 40% brand, 30% broad keywords, 30% raw URL/natural
Working with press and internal websites
The SEO environment in Vietnam shows that backlinks from local media ecosystems have a high index rate and transmit strong long-term value. According to data from Vietnam Digital Report 2023 (We Are Social), content from Vietnamese online newspapers is shared 3 times more than content from personal blogs.
Example: A logistics service company cooperated with 2 specialized logistics newspapers to share expert perspectives, creating 4 backlinks from domains with DR > 75, while increasing referral traffic by 15% within 2 months.
| Backlink source | DR (Ahrefs) | monthly traffic |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Industry and Trade newspaper | 78 | 210,000 |
| genk.vn | 76 | 320,000 |
Risks to note when building backlinks
- Do not buy large quantities of backlinks on forums; it may cause algorithm penalties (Google Penguin)
- Backlinks from popular Vietnamese sites but with high spam rates (low DR, TF)<10) thường mang giá trị ngược
- Always check frequency and anchor types to avoid over-optimization
Quick conclusion
A sustainable backlink strategy for Vietnamese businesses focuses on quality, industry relevance, and long-term content collaboration. Monitoring and learning from competitors is just the first step – consistency and creativity in implementation create long-lasting SEO value.
Measuring and regularly adjusting backlink strategy to maintain competitive advantage on search tools
Indicators to monitor regularly
To maintain top Google rankings, controlling backlink quality is a decisive factor. Some metrics you should check weekly or monthly include:
– Total new backlinks vs. lost backlinks
– Domain Rating (DR) and Trust Flow
– Brand anchor text ratio vs. keyword anchor text
– Frequency of appearance from reputable domains vs. spam domains
Example: An e-commerce company in Ho Chi Minh City lost nearly 40% traffic in just 2 months due to not detecting early the removal of low-quality blog backlinks.
Checklist for periodic competitor backlink review
- ✔ Compare monthly backlink growth rate of competitors
- ✔ Analyze the most linked content types
- ✔ Filter new domains linking to competitors in the last 30 days
- ✔ See which anchor texts competitors use most successfully
- ✔ Check lost, broken, or redirected backlinks
Which tools to use for effective monitoring?
You cannot manually check backlinks with thousands of links. You should combine tools such as:
– Ahrefs (collects backlinks updated every 1-3 days)
– SEMrush (tracks competitor link changes & issues alerts)
– Google Search Console (analyzing backlinks to your own site)
Backlink comparison table between you and competitors
| Criteria | Your website | Competitor A |
|---|---|---|
| Domain Rating (DR) | 52 | 67 |
| Number of backlinks | 4,100 | 6,800 |
| Links from gov/edu | 3 | 11 |
| Links from PR articles | 8 | 23 |
Warning and risks when not monitoring regularly
– Risk of being outperformed by competitors if you neglect to enhance your outreach campaign
– Losing backlinks from quality sites without knowing
– Ranking drop due to backlinks from sites penalized by Google
– Failure to detect spam-signaled anchor texts causing the page to be undervalued
According to data from Backlinko Report (2023), 41% websites do not maintain a first-page position after 6 months if they do not regularly update their backlink profiles.
Takeaway: Monitoring backlinks is a process, not an event
The Monitoring and adjusting backlink strategy needs to be done consistently just like taking care of website health. At minimum, check once a month and build a flexible monitoring journey based on actual needs. Competitors are always moving – you also need to do the same to maintain a sustainable SEO game.
Preparation for the next stage to follow
Analyzing competitor backlinks helps you clearly understand the competitive landscape. From there, build a more reasonable and sustainable SEO strategy.
Try selecting 3 strong competitors in the industry and list their prominent backlinks. This is the initial step to optimize your link profile.
You can also learn more about how to classify quality backlinks or internal linking strategies. This is an effective local SEO support platform.
DPS.MEDIA always accompanies Vietnamese SMEs on their digital growth journey. Please share your thoughts or questions below!
