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Overview

The Backlink Overview block retrieves detailed backlink metrics for a specific domain from Semrush. Use it to analyze link profiles, evaluate domain authority, research competitor backlinks, or identify link building opportunities.

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Configuration

The domain or URL you want to analyze. Format: Full URL including protocol Examples: 
https://www.hubspot.com/
https://salesforce.com
https://example.com/blog
You can reference placeholders from previous steps: {{step_1.output}} Tips:
  • Include https:// or http:// protocol
  • Can analyze root domains or specific URLs
  • Use root domain for overall backlink profile
  • Use specific URLs to analyze page-level backlinks

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Error Handling

Define what happens if the block fails to retrieve data. Options:
  1. Terminate Workflow: Stop execution immediately
  2. Continue Execution: Proceed to next step despite error
Select based on whether subsequent steps require the backlink data.

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Output Data

The block returns 14 comprehensive backlink metrics in JSON format:

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Authority Score

Semrush’s domain authority score from 0-100. Example: "76" (High authority) Scale:
  • 0-30: Low authority
  • 31-50: Medium authority
  • 51-70: Good authority
  • 71-85: High authority
  • 86-100: Exceptional authority
Higher scores indicate stronger, more trustworthy domains with quality backlink profiles. Total number of backlinks pointing to the domain. Example: "79809004" (79.8 million backlinks) Raw count of all links. Higher numbers don’t always mean better - quality matters more than quantity.

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Referring Domains

Number of unique domains linking to the target. Example: "432621" (432,621 unique domains) More important than total backlinks. Shows link diversity and natural link profile. Higher is better.

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Referring URLs

Number of unique URLs linking to the target. Example: "36657532" (36.6 million unique URLs) Shows how many individual pages link to you. More URLs from same domain = less impact per link.

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Referring IPs

Number of unique IP addresses hosting referring domains. Example: "193589" (193,589 unique IPs) Important for link diversity. Links from same IP have less value. Higher IP diversity = healthier profile.

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Class C IPs

Number of unique Class C IP ranges. Example: "73331" (73,331 unique Class C networks) Measures IP diversity at network level. Prevents link schemes from same hosting provider. Higher = more natural. Number of backlinks that pass PageRank (dofollow links). Example: "76869377" (76.8 million follow links) These links directly impact SEO rankings. More valuable than nofollow links for search visibility. Number of backlinks with rel=“nofollow” attribute. Example: "2947509" (2.9 million nofollow links) Don’t directly pass PageRank but still valuable for:
  • Traffic
  • Brand awareness
  • Natural link profile appearance
Number of backlinks with rel=“sponsored” attribute. Example: "36265" (36,265 sponsored links) Indicates paid or sponsored content links. Google expects these for paid placements. Number of backlinks with rel=“ugc” (User Generated Content) attribute. Example: "64956" (64,956 UGC links) From forums, comments, user submissions. Expected in community-driven content.

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Text Links

Number of backlinks using anchor text. Example: "44763941" (44.7 million text links) Most common and valuable link type. Anchor text helps search engines understand context. Number of backlinks from images. Example: "30315610" (30.3 million image links) Links where image is the clickable element. Common for visual content, infographics, logos. Number of backlinks from form elements. Example: "1382166" (1.3 million form links) Less common. Links within form submissions or interactive elements. Number of backlinks from iframe elements. Example: "830979" (830,979 frame links) Links from embedded content. Common with widgets, embeds, or syndicated content.

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Sample Output

{
  "Authority Score": "76",
  "Total Backlinks": "79809004",
  "Referring Domains": "432621",
  "Referring URLs": "36657532",
  "Referring IPs": "193589",
  "Class C IPs": "73331",
  "Follow Links": "76869377",
  "Nofollow Links": "2947509",
  "Sponsored Links": "36265",
  "UGC Links": "64956",
  "Text Links": "44763941",
  "Image Links": "30315610",
  "Form Links": "1382166",
  "Frame Links": "830979"
}

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Best Practices

  • Focus on Referring Domains over Total Backlinks for quality assessment
  • Check Authority Score to quickly gauge overall link profile strength
  • Compare Follow vs Nofollow ratio - healthy profiles have both
  • Monitor IP diversity (Referring IPs and Class C IPs) for natural profiles
  • Use Text Links count to understand anchor text opportunities
  • Analyze competitor backlink profiles to find link building targets
  • Track your own domain regularly to spot negative SEO attacks
  • Combine with Domain Overview to see complete SEO picture
  • Use loops to analyze multiple competitors at once
  • Save results to sheets for longitudinal tracking

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Common Use Cases

Use CaseConfigurationKey Metrics to Watch
Competitor analysisCompetitor domain URLAuthority Score, Referring Domains, Follow Links
Link building researchTop-ranking competitorsReferring Domains, Referring IPs, Text Links
Domain authority checkYour domain or prospectAuthority Score, Referring Domains, IP diversity
Link profile auditYour domainFollow/Nofollow ratio, Sponsored/UGC links
Partner evaluationPotential partner domainAuthority Score, Total Backlinks, link quality
Negative SEO detectionYour domain (scheduled)Sudden spikes in low-quality links
Content marketing ROIContent landing pagesReferring Domains growth over time
Brand mention trackingBrand domainTotal Backlinks, Referring Domains trends

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Understanding the Metrics

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Quality Indicators

  • High Authority Score + High Referring Domains = Strong, trusted domain
  • High Total Backlinks + Low Referring Domains = Repetitive links, less valuable
  • High IP diversity = Natural link acquisition
  • Low IP diversity = Potential link schemes or PBN
  • Text Links dominant = Natural editorial links
  • Image Links high = Visual content, infographics performing well
  • High Sponsored/UGC = Lots of paid or community content
  • Balanced mix = Diverse, natural link profile

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Follow vs. Nofollow Ratio

  • 90%+ Follow Links = Aggressive SEO, possible risk
  • 70-85% Follow Links = Healthy, natural profile
  • Below 50% Follow = Heavy UGC, social, or sponsored content

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IP Diversity Assessment

Compare these ratios:
  • Referring Domains / Referring IPs should be close (1-3x)
  • Large gaps indicate links from same hosting/IP ranges
  • Class C diversity shows true network distribution

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Workflow Examples

  1. Loop Block: Iterate through competitor list
  2. Backlink Overview: Get metrics for each competitor
  3. Code Block: Calculate average Authority Score
  4. Google Sheets: Create comparison dashboard
  1. Backlink Overview: Analyze top competitor
  2. Code Block: Identify domains with high authority
  3. LLM Block: Generate outreach email templates
  4. Google Sheets: Export prospect list

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Interpreting Results

  • Authority Score: 70+
  • Referring Domains: 400,000+
  • High IP diversity (IPs close to domain count)
  • 70-85% Follow Links
  • Mix of Text and Image Links
  • Low Sponsored/UGC relative to total

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Growing Domain

  • Authority Score: 30-50
  • Referring Domains: 1,000-10,000
  • Increasing month over month
  • Natural Follow/Nofollow mix
  • Diverse IP ranges
  • Primarily Text Links

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Red Flags to Watch

  • Authority Score drops suddenly
  • Massive backlink spike with low domain growth
  • Very low IP diversity relative to domains
  • 95%+ Follow Links (unnatural)
  • High percentage from Form/Frame Links

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Key Metrics Hierarchy

Focus on these metrics in order of importance:
  1. Authority Score - Overall domain strength
  2. Referring Domains - Link diversity and reach
  3. Referring IPs - Natural link profile indicator
  4. Follow Links - Direct SEO impact
  5. Text Links - Anchor text opportunities
  6. Total Backlinks - Scale (but quality matters more)
Secondary metrics provide context but shouldn’t be primary decision factors.

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What’s Next

Now that you understand the Backlink Overview block: