Find sites linking to multiple competitors but not you. These sites are demonstrably interested in your topic.
Sites linking to 3+ of your competitors but not you are the warmest leads. They've demonstrated they link to content in your niche — you just need to give them a reason to link to you too (better content, unique angle, or simply asking).
In Ahrefs: go to More > Link Intersect. Enter your domain at the bottom ("But doesn't link to") and competitor domains in the top fields. In Semrush: use Backlink Analytics > Backlink Gap. Both tools find sites linking to competitors but not you.
Choose competitors who rank for your target keywords. Don't just pick the biggest competitors — include similar-sized sites too. The tool works best with 3-5 competitors. More than 5 dilutes the results.
Filter results to show domains linking to at least 2 competitors. Export the list. Sort by domain authority (DR/DA) descending. A site linking to multiple competitors has proven interest in your topic and is highly likely to link to quality content from you.
Go through the list and categorize each: resource page (add your link), guest post opportunity (pitch an article), mention opportunity (they discuss the topic), or directory listing. Prioritize: high DR + high relevance + easy acquisition method.
Customize your outreach by opportunity type. For resource pages: suggest your resource for addition. For guest posts: pitch a unique angle. For mentions: offer expert commentary or data. Personalize every email — reference their specific content.
Help me analyze a competitor backlink gap. My competitors: 1. [COMPETITOR 1 URL] 2. [COMPETITOR 2 URL] 3. [COMPETITOR 3 URL] My website: [URL] Help me: 1. Create a process to identify sites linking to 2+ competitors but not me 2. Categorize these opportunities (guest posts, resource pages, directories, mentions) 3. Prioritize by: domain authority, relevance, and acquisition difficulty 4. Draft outreach templates for each opportunity type 5. Set a realistic monthly link acquisition target
Track your progress and get guided through every step.
Open Interactive Tool