This template provides a structured framework for conducting backlink audits. Use these checklists, spreadsheet structures, and reporting formats to ensure thorough, consistent analysis.
Pre-Audit Checklist#
Preparation#
Tools ready:
- [ ] Google Search Console access
- [ ] Primary backlink tool subscription (don't have one? see our free backlink checker comparison)
- [ ] Spreadsheet software
- [ ] Traffic estimation tool (SimilarWeb)
Information gathered:
- [ ] Previous audit reports (if any)
- [ ] Known link building history
- [ ] Competitor list identified
- [ ] Goals and thresholds defined
Settings configured:
- [ ] Export permissions verified
- [ ] Time period for analysis set
- [ ] Quality thresholds determined
Data Collection Template#
Data Export Checklist#
From Google Search Console:
- [ ] Top linking sites exported
- [ ] Top linked pages exported
- [ ] Top linking text exported
- [ ] Manual actions checked
From primary tool:
- [ ] Full referring domains list
- [ ] Full backlinks list
- [ ] Anchor text report
- [ ] New links (last 90 days)
- [ ] Lost links (last 90 days)
From secondary sources (optional):
- [ ] Additional tool data
- [ ] Traffic estimates
- [ ] Historical data
Master Spreadsheet Structure#
Tab 1: Profile Summary#
| Metric | Current Value | Previous Audit | Change | |--------|---------------|----------------|--------| | Total referring domains | | | | | Total backlinks | | | | | Average DR/DA | | | | | Follow/nofollow ratio | | | | | New domains (90 days) | | | | | Lost domains (90 days) | | | | | Referral traffic | | | |
Tab 2: Referring Domains Master List#
| Column | Description | |--------|-------------| | A - Domain | Referring domain URL | | B - DR/DA | Domain authority metric | | C - Traffic | Estimated monthly visitors | | D - Dofollow links | Count of followed links | | E - Nofollow links | Count of nofollow links | | F - First seen | When first link discovered | | G - Last seen | Most recent link check | | H - Quality tier | 1-5 rating | | I - Relevance | High/Medium/Low | | J - Spam score | Tool spam indicator | | K - Action | Keep/Monitor/Review/Disavow | | L - Notes | Additional observations |
Tab 3: Quality Segmentation#
| Tier | Description | Count | Percentage | |------|-------------|-------|------------| | 1 - Excellent | DA 50+, high traffic, relevant | | | | 2 - Good | DA 30-50, moderate traffic | | | | 3 - Acceptable | DA 15-30, legitimate sites | | | | 4 - Low Value | DA under 15, minimal value | | | | 5 - Toxic | Spam signals, risk indicators | | | | Total | | | 100% |
Tab 4: Anchor Text Analysis#
| Anchor Type | Count | Percentage | Target Range | |-------------|-------|------------|--------------| | Branded | | | 40-60% | | URL/Naked | | | 15-25% | | Generic | | | 10-20% | | Keyword-rich | | | 5-15% | | Other | | | Variable | | Total | | 100% | |
Top 20 Anchors:
| Rank | Anchor Text | Count | Target URL | Assessment | |------|-------------|-------|------------|------------| | 1 | | | | | | 2 | | | | | | ... | | | | |
Tab 5: Toxic Link Review#
| Domain | Issue Type | Spam Score | Traffic | Confidence | Decision | |--------|-----------|------------|---------|------------|----------| | | PBN/Link farm/Hacked/etc | | | High/Med/Low | Disavow/Monitor/OK | | | | | | | |
Tab 6: Competitive Comparison#
| Metric | Your Site | Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | Competitor 3 | |--------|-----------|--------------|--------------|--------------| | Referring domains | | | | | | Average DR/DA | | | | | | Monthly velocity | | | | | | Quality distribution | | | | | | Top anchor types | | | | |
Tab 7: Link Gap Opportunities#
| Domain | Links to Comp 1 | Links to Comp 2 | DR | Traffic | Priority | Contact | |--------|----------------|----------------|----|---------|---------| --------| | | | | | | High/Med/Low | | | | | | | | | |
Analysis Checklist#
Quantity Analysis#
- [ ] Total referring domains recorded
- [ ] Total backlinks recorded
- [ ] Ratio of links to domains calculated
- [ ] Growth trend identified (growing/stable/declining)
- [ ] Velocity assessed (new links per month)
Quality Analysis#
- [ ] Quality tier distribution calculated
- [ ] Average domain authority computed
- [ ] High-value links identified
- [ ] Low-value percentage assessed
- [ ] Quality compared to competitors
Risk Analysis#
- [ ] Spam score flagged links reviewed
- [ ] Toxic links identified
- [ ] Anchor text patterns analysed
- [ ] Unnatural patterns documented
- [ ] Risk level assessed (Low/Med/High)
Competitive Analysis#
- [ ] Competitors' referring domains counted
- [ ] Gap analysis completed
- [ ] Common links identified
- [ ] Opportunity list created
- [ ] Competitive position assessed
Findings Documentation#
Executive Summary Template#
BACKLINK AUDIT SUMMARY
Domain: [your domain]
Audit Date: [date]
Period Analysed: [timeframe]
PROFILE HEALTH: [Good/Fair/Needs Attention/Critical]
KEY METRICS:
- Referring domains: [number]
- Average quality (DR/DA): [score]
- Growth rate: [+/- % vs previous]
- Toxic link %: [percentage]
TOP FINDINGS:
1. [Most important finding]
2. [Second finding]
3. [Third finding]
PRIORITY ACTIONS:
1. [Highest priority action]
2. [Second priority]
3. [Third priority]
COMPETITIVE POSITION: [Ahead/On par/Behind] competitors
Detailed Findings Template#
Section 1: Profile Overview
- Current state of link profile
- Comparison to previous audit
- Notable changes
Section 2: Quality Assessment
- Quality distribution across tiers
- Standout quality links
- Quality concerns
Section 3: Risk Assessment
- Toxic links identified
- Anchor text issues
- Pattern concerns
- Overall risk level
Section 4: Competitive Analysis
- Position vs competitors
- Gap analysis findings
- Opportunities identified
Section 5: Recommendations
- Priority 1 actions (immediate)
- Priority 2 actions (soon)
- Priority 3 actions (when possible)
- Ongoing monitoring plan
Action Items Template#
Immediate Actions#
| Action | Details | Owner | Due Date | Status | |--------|---------|-------|----------|--------| | Disavow toxic links | [count] domains identified | | | | | | | | | |
Short-Term Actions (30 days)#
| Action | Details | Owner | Due Date | Status | |--------|---------|-------|----------|--------| | Link reclamation outreach | [count] lost valuable links | | | | | Prospect list development | [count] gap opportunities | | | | | | | | | |
Ongoing Actions#
| Action | Frequency | Owner | Notes | |--------|-----------|-------|-------| | New link monitoring | Weekly | | | | Profile health check | Monthly | | | | Competitive update | Quarterly | | | | Full audit | Annually | | |
Disavow File Template#
# Disavow file for [domain.com]
# Created: [date]
# Auditor: [name]
#
# IMPORTANT: This file replaces all previous disavow files
# Always upload complete file, not additions
#
# ============================================
# SECTION 1: PBN Networks
# ============================================
# Pattern: Similar templates, shared hosting, thin content
# Identified: [date]
domain:pbn-example1.com
domain:pbn-example2.com
# ============================================
# SECTION 2: Link Farms
# ============================================
# Sites existing only to host links
domain:linkfarm1.com
domain:linkfarm2.com
# ============================================
# SECTION 3: Hacked Site Links
# ============================================
# Injected links from compromised sites
domain:hacked1.com
domain:hacked2.com
# ============================================
# SECTION 4: Specific Spam Pages
# ============================================
# Individual pages from otherwise acceptable domains
http://legitimatesite.com/spam-page/
# ============================================
# SUMMARY
# ============================================
# Total domains disavowed: [count]
# Total URLs disavowed: [count]
# Last updated: [date]
Reporting Template#
Report Structure#
-
Cover Page
- Domain audited
- Date range
- Prepared by
- Version
-
Executive Summary (1 page)
- Health assessment
- Key metrics
- Top findings
- Priority actions
-
Methodology (1 page)
- Tools used
- Process followed
- Thresholds applied
-
Detailed Analysis
- Profile overview
- Quality assessment
- Risk analysis
- Competitive analysis
-
Recommendations
- Prioritised action items
- Resource requirements
- Expected outcomes
-
Appendices
- Full data exports
- Tool screenshots
- Disavow file
- Supporting documentation
Summary#
Use this template to ensure consistent, thorough audits:
Preparation:
- Gather tools and access
- Define goals and thresholds
- Collect previous data
Data collection:
- Export from multiple sources
- Use master spreadsheet structure
- Organise systematically
Analysis:
- Follow checklist for all areas
- Document findings thoroughly
- Identify actionable insights
Reporting:
- Use executive summary for stakeholders
- Detailed report for reference
- Action items with ownership
Save your completed templates for future comparison.