# Backlink Audit Template: Downloadable Framework and Checklist

Use this comprehensive backlink audit template to structure your analysis. Includes checklists, spreadsheet frameworks, and reporting templates.

Canonical: https://backlinkgrid.com/backlink-audit/audit-template


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](/blog/best-free-backlink-checkers))
- [ ] 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

1. **Cover Page**
   - Domain audited
   - Date range
   - Prepared by
   - Version

2. **Executive Summary** (1 page)
   - Health assessment
   - Key metrics
   - Top findings
   - Priority actions

3. **Methodology** (1 page)
   - Tools used
   - Process followed
   - Thresholds applied

4. **Detailed Analysis**
   - Profile overview
   - Quality assessment
   - Risk analysis
   - Competitive analysis

5. **Recommendations**
   - Prioritised action items
   - Resource requirements
   - Expected outcomes

6. **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.

---

## What to Read Next

- [How to Audit Backlinks](/backlink-audit/how-to-audit)
- [Toxic Links Guide](/backlink-audit/toxic-links)
- [Audit Tools Comparison](/backlink-audit/audit-tools)