Backlink checker: who recommends you
Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. Google reads them like recommendations. Brand Dad shows you who links to you, which pages benefit and where your next good link could come from.
- All linking websites and linked pages in one clear list
- Plain-language explanations instead of cryptic link metrics
- Ideas for local links from partners, suppliers and directories
Brand Dad's backlink checker shows which websites link to your site, which of your pages they point to and with which anchor text, explained in plain language for small business owners. It is part of Brand Dad, all-in-one AI marketing software for local businesses, and is included in the SEO module at €24 per month billed yearly (€29 monthly), with 20 backlink research queries per month. Business includes SEO complete.
Why backlinks matter for a local business
Trust from Google
A link from a respected local website tells Google that someone vouches for you. That trust helps your pages rank higher for the searches that bring customers.
Visitors who are ready
Links from your local newspaper, a supplier or a wedding blog bring real people who already have a reason to contact you.
A clear picture
Instead of guessing, you see exactly which sites link to you and which of your pages get the most support, so you know where to build next.
What the Brand Dad backlink checker shows you
Who links to you
See every referring domain, meaning every website that links to you at least once. A link from ten different websites usually counts for more than ten links from the same one, so this number matters most.
Which pages benefit
Find out which of your pages receive links. Often it is only the homepage. If your service pages have none, that explains why they struggle to rank, and it shows where a new link would help most.
Anchor text and link type
The anchor text is the clickable text of a link. Brand Dad shows it for each backlink, plus whether the link is marked as followable for search engines, explained in one short sentence.
Local link ideas
Brand Dad suggests typical local link opportunities for your industry: business associations, suppliers, event pages, local guides and partners you already work with. Each idea comes with a short tip on how to ask.
Connected to your whole SEO
Backlinks are one part of the picture. In the same account you see your keyword rankings, your site audit and your E-E-A-T check, so you can tell whether a ranking problem is about links, content or technology.
What a backlink checker tells you and what to do
A backlink checker lists the links that point from other websites to yours. For Google, each of these links is a bit like a recommendation. A dentist mentioned on the city's health portal, a bakery linked from a food blogger's article or a carpenter listed on the local trade association's site all send a signal: this business is real and relevant.
Not every link counts the same. Three questions help you judge them without becoming an SEO specialist:
- Is the linking website relevant? A link from a local news site or an industry association is worth more than one from an unrelated directory abroad.
- Is it a real page with real visitors? Links from pages nobody reads rarely help.
- Does it point to the right page? A link to your "emergency plumbing" page helps that page rank for emergency searches.
Most small businesses don't need hundreds of links. A handful of good local links often makes a visible difference, especially in smaller towns or niches. The backlink checker shows your current state so you can see gaps, for example a partner you work with every week who has never linked to you.
What you should avoid: buying links in bulk or joining link networks. Google can recognise these patterns, and they can do more harm than good. Brand Dad focuses on links you earn through real relationships and useful content, like a helpful article the AI content writer drafted that others want to share.
Three steps to better local backlinks
Check your current links
Open the backlink checker and see which websites already link to you and which of your pages get the support.
List your real-world partners
Suppliers, associations, event organisers, neighbouring shops. Compare them with your backlink list and note who could link to you.
Give them a reason
Ask politely, offer a short description or a testimonial in return, or publish something useful worth linking to, such as a local guide.
Brand Dad vs. professional backlink tools
| Brand Dad | Ahrefs | Semrush | |
|---|---|---|---|
| List of backlinks and referring domains | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Explanations for non-experts | Yes | Partly | Partly |
| Local link ideas for your industry | Yes | No | Partly |
| Google Maps rankings and review management | Yes | No | Separate add-on or tool |
| Website builder and AI content writer | Yes | No | Partly |
as of 2026-10 · based on public information, may change
Local backlink ideas by industry
Good local backlinks usually come from relationships you already have. A few examples to get you started:
- Restaurants and cafés: local food bloggers, city guides, event calendars for live music or tastings, the farm or roastery that supplies you.
- Doctors and dentists: professional associations, local health portals, schools or sports clubs where you give talks, partner practices you refer patients to.
- Tax advisors and lawyers: chambers and associations, co-working spaces, startup networks, guest articles on business blogs in your city.
- Trades and auto repair: manufacturers and suppliers with dealer or partner lists, builders and architects you work with, local trade associations.
- Salons and studios: product brands you use, wedding planners and photographers, neighbourhood shopping streets with their own websites.
Sponsoring a youth team or a street festival often comes with a link on the organiser's page too. Keep a simple list, ask one or two partners per month and check in the backlink checker when the link goes live.
Frequently asked questions
What is a backlink checker?
A backlink checker is a tool that lists the links from other websites to your website. It shows which domains link to you, which of your pages they point to and with which anchor text. Brand Dad includes a backlink checker in its SEO module, explained in plain language for business owners.
How do I check who links to my website?
Enter your domain in a backlink checker. In Brand Dad you connect your website once, and the backlink checker shows the linking websites, the linked pages and the anchor texts in one list. It is included in the SEO module from €24 per month.
How many backlinks does a local business need?
There is no fixed number. For many local businesses, a handful of relevant links from local or industry websites makes a noticeable difference, especially in smaller towns. Quality and relevance matter far more than quantity. Compare yourself with competitors who rank above you rather than with an abstract target.
Should I buy backlinks?
No. Bought links and link networks break Google's guidelines and can hurt your rankings instead of helping them. Focus on links you earn: partners, suppliers, associations, local press and genuinely useful content. Brand Dad helps you find these opportunities and create content worth linking to.
What is the difference between a backlink and a referring domain?
A backlink is a single link from one page to your website. A referring domain is a whole website that links to you, no matter how many times. Ten links from one website count as ten backlinks but only one referring domain, which is why the number of referring domains usually says more.
Which Brand Dad plan includes the backlink checker?
The backlink checker is part of the SEO module at €24 per month billed yearly or €29 billed monthly, plus VAT, with 20 backlink research queries per month, rank tracking for 100 keywords, keyword research and Search Console connection. The Business plan includes SEO complete. Monthly billing can be cancelled any time.
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Tell Brand Dad about your business. We check your links and suggest local partners who could recommend you.