SEO Spyglass
Analyses a site's inbound links, compares competitor backlink profiles, and flags risky links to guide link prospecting and audits.
If you have ever treated its backlink database as a complete index instead of a sample, you already know the data is an estimate.
Key points
- Treat the backlink database as a sample during a backlink audit, not a complete index of every link on the web.
- Check link quality and relevance, not just the link count, when evaluating anchor text patterns.
- Do not disavow flagged links without manual review; some flagged links from trusted domains may be worth keeping.
- Evaluate competitor links for relevance and obtainability before copying, and supplement with free seo tools if needed.
Disavowing without review costs two valuable links
A small e-commerce site used SEO Spyglass to audit its backlinks. It found 150 referring domains, many with thin anchor text. The tool flagged 30 links as potentially toxic, including one from a well-known industry blog. The owner disavowed all 30 without checking, losing two valuable links from reputable sources. A manual review of each flagged link would have identified the keepers. The site later used free seo tools to rebuild its profile.
Three ways it goes wrong
- Treating data as complete No backlink tool sees every link on the web. SEO Spyglass provides an estimate, so base decisions on patterns, not exact counts.
- Using only link count A high number of links means little if they come from low-quality or irrelevant sites. Always check referring domain diversity and relevance.
- Disavowing flagged links blindly The tool marks suspicious links, but you must manually review each one. Some flagged links may be legitimate and worth keeping.
Three things to check before acting
- Relevance of the linking page A link from a page about gardening has little value if your site sells software. Focus on topical relevance over raw metrics.
- Quality of the referring domain Check domain authority, trustworthiness, and whether the site follows Google's spam policies. A flagged link from a trusted domain may be fine.
- Current status of the link Links break or get removed. Verify that the link still exists and points to your intended page before acting on any audit.
Common questions
Is SEO Spyglass the best backlink checker?
It is a capable backlink checker, but no tool sees every link; treat its data as a sample and compare with other sources.
How does SEO Spyglass compare to SEMrush?
SEO Spyglass focuses on backlink analysis within SEO PowerSuite, while SEMrush offers broader SEO features. The choice depends on your workflow.
Can SEO Spyglass identify toxic backlinks?
Yes, it flags potentially risky links, but you must manually review before disavowing. Not all flagged links are toxic.
Sources
- SEO PowerSuite / SEO SpyGlass product documentation Official product page with features and usage instructions.
- Google Search Central: Link spam policies Google's guidelines on what constitutes link spam and how to handle disavow.
- Google Search Central General SEO documentation, including backlink best practices.