Backlink Health Checker
Check if your backlinks are still live and passing link equity. Paste your backlink URLs below to get an instant health report.
How the Backlink Checker Works
Our backlink checker visits each URL you provide and performs three checks: First, it verifies the page returns a successful HTTP response (200). Second, it searches the page content for your domain name to confirm your listing still exists. Third, it checks whether the link to your site uses a dofollow or nofollow attribute.
The result is a clear health report showing which backlinks are alive, which have gone dead, and which are passing valuable link equity to your site. Use this data to prioritize which backlinks need attention — dead links should be re-submitted or replaced, while nofollow links may be worth upgrading if the directory offers dofollow options.
Why Backlink Monitoring Matters
Studies show that 5-10% of backlinks die every month due to page restructuring, site migrations, and directory closures. For a site with 100 backlinks, that means losing up to 10 links per month if you're not actively monitoring. Each lost backlink reduces your domain authority and can lead to ranking drops.
Regular monitoring lets you catch dead links early and take corrective action — whether that's re-submitting to the directory, reaching out to the webmaster, or finding replacement directories. Backlynk's automated monitoring runs weekly checks and can even re-submit to directories where your listing was removed.
Dofollow vs Nofollow: What You Need to Know
Not all backlinks are equal. Dofollow backlinks pass PageRank and directly influence your search rankings. These are the most valuable type of backlink for SEO. Nofollow backlinks include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to count the link for ranking purposes.
However, a natural backlink profile includes both types. Google has stated that nofollow is treated as a "hint" rather than a directive, meaning some nofollow links may still pass partial value. Our checker identifies both types so you can understand the full picture of your link equity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a backlink health checker do?
A backlink health checker visits each of your backlink URLs and verifies whether the page is still live, your domain is mentioned, and whether the link passes SEO equity (dofollow) or not (nofollow). This helps you identify and fix dead backlinks before they hurt your rankings.
How many backlinks can I check for free?
You can check up to 10 backlink URLs per request completely free, with no signup required. For automated weekly monitoring of unlimited backlinks, consider Backlynk's paid plans.
What is the difference between dofollow and nofollow backlinks?
Dofollow backlinks pass link equity (PageRank) to your website, directly boosting your search rankings. Nofollow backlinks include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells search engines not to pass ranking credit. Both types contribute to a natural backlink profile, but dofollow links have more direct SEO impact.
Why do backlinks go dead?
Backlinks can die for several reasons: the linking page was deleted or restructured, the website changed its URL structure, your listing was removed due to inactivity, or the entire directory went offline. Regular monitoring helps you catch these issues early and take action.
How often should I check my backlinks?
We recommend checking your backlinks at least once per week. Directory listings can be removed without notice, and catching dead links early gives you the best chance of recovery. Backlynk's automated monitoring handles this weekly check for you.