Why I Built a Free Backlink Analyser
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I run a small laser engraving workshop in North Wales. We make wooden signs, name badges and keyrings — not exactly a business you'd associate with backlink analysis.
But we sell online, so organic search matters. And once organic search matters, backlinks matter — because they're one of the clearest signals Google uses to decide whether to trust your site over a competitor's.
I started checking our referring domain profile regularly. That's when I hit the same wall every small business owner hits: the tools that give you a real picture cost £100 a month or more. Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz — they're serious platforms built for agencies managing dozens of client sites. Their pricing reflects that. The free tiers are either rate-limited into near-uselessness or locked behind a paywall after two clicks.
What I actually needed
The information I was looking for wasn't complicated. I wanted to know:
- Which of our referring domains are real editorial links — the kind Google values?
- Which are spam — the kind that look alarming but Google ignores?
- Which are directories and platforms — useful for citation signals but not ranking signals?
- What does the overall profile look like?
All of that data was sitting in a CSV file I already had from Ahrefs' free account tier. I just needed something that would read it and give me a plain-English answer. No account. No API. No £99-a-month subscription.
So I built it
The tool runs entirely in your browser. Paste in your referring domains export — from Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console — and it classifies each domain, breaks down your profile by type, gives you a health score, and surfaces plain-English insights.
Nothing is sent anywhere. Nothing is stored. It's a static HTML file with a bit of JavaScript. That's it.
I built it because I needed it. I'm sharing it because other small business owners hitting the same wall might find it useful too.
Use the free backlink analyser →
How to get your data
The tool accepts exports from three sources:
- Ahrefs free account — Site Explorer → Referring domains → Export CSV. Step-by-step guide →
- Google Search Console — Links → Top linking sites → Download latest links. Step-by-step guide →
- SEMrush free tier — Backlink Analytics → Referring Domains → Export. Step-by-step guide →
If you find it useful — or spot something that isn't working — you can find us at cherrygrovecraft.co.uk. And if you ever need a wooden sign for your business, you know where we are.
— Pete