{"id":185098,"date":"2025-01-30T12:27:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T17:27:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/?p=185098"},"modified":"2025-01-30T12:27:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T17:27:38","slug":"backlink-gap-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/backlink-gap-analysis\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Do a Backlink Gap Analysis (With Template)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"intro-txt\">A backlink gap analysis is the process of finding great links your competitors have that you don\u2019t. It involves evaluating your competitors\u2019 quality of backlinks and deciding if similar links could also improve your site\u2019s SEO.&nbsp;<\/div>\n<p>This process helps&nbsp;you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find quality links quickly<\/li>\n<li>Improve your domain\u2019s authority<\/li>\n<li>Close gaps against competitors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to use our <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1tQatuN9TGcmW0VtKTCX6nDqKVr_b3rdXPD1VOmfkuBo\/copy\">backlink gap analysis template<\/a> to find relevant, high-quality websites that are worth reaching out&nbsp;to.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommendation\"><div class=\"recommendation-title\">Want a backlink gap analysis SOP you can share with your&nbsp;team?<\/div><div class=\"recommendation-content\">\n<p>Grab the full link gap analysis template and an SOP that you can share with your team&nbsp;below.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"925\" height=\"466\" class=\"wp-image-185099\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of Ahrefs' backlink gap analysis spreadsheet template.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre.png 925w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-680x343.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-768x387.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\"><\/p>\n<p>This critical SEO SOP is perfect for beginners and walks them through the process step by detailed step.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1tc1SF6_x6DTmzI5jH7pd63H_kFLqk5bNK8Fxd-3Ws5Y\/export?format=pdf\">Backlink Gap Analysis SOP (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1tc1SF6_x6DTmzI5jH7pd63H_kFLqk5bNK8Fxd-3Ws5Y\/copy\">Backlink Gap Analysis SOP (Google Doc)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/u\/1\/d\/1tQatuN9TGcmW0VtKTCX6nDqKVr_b3rdXPD1VOmfkuBo\/copy\">Link Gap Analysis Template (Google Sheets)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/u\/1\/d\/1tQatuN9TGcmW0VtKTCX6nDqKVr_b3rdXPD1VOmfkuBo\/export?format=xlsx\">Link Gap Analysis Template (Excel)<\/a> <\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_5bkckv77f7f\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 1. Identify competitors that are outperforming you&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>Make a copy of the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/d\/1tQatuN9TGcmW0VtKTCX6nDqKVr_b3rdXPD1VOmfkuBo\/copy\">backlink gap analysis template<\/a>. Then search your website in Ahrefs Site Explorer and navigate to Organic Competitors:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1025\" height=\"914\" class=\"wp-image-185100\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/finding-the-organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs.png\" alt=\"Finding the Organic Competitors report in Ahrefs' dashboard.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/finding-the-organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs.png 1025w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/finding-the-organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs-477x425.png 477w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/finding-the-organic-competitors-report-in-ahrefs-768x685.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1025px) 100vw, 1025px\"><\/p>\n<p>Look at the Domain Rating (DR) column to identify competitors that have a higher authority than you and are in a similar ballpark to the size of the site you&nbsp;have.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1155\" height=\"466\" class=\"wp-image-185101\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-domain-rating-to-assess-competitors-that-out.png\" alt=\"Using Domain Rating to assess competitors that outperform your site.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-domain-rating-to-assess-competitors-that-out.png 1155w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-domain-rating-to-assess-competitors-that-out-680x274.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-domain-rating-to-assess-competitors-that-out-768x310.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1155px) 100vw, 1155px\"><\/p>\n<p>Keep this list of competitors handy, as you\u2019ll need it for the next&nbsp;step.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_pzyluo8q3o1i\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 2. Find domains linking to your competitors who aren\u2019t linking to&nbsp;you&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>Open Ahrefs\u2019 Competitive Analysis tool and set it to \u201creferring domains\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1093\" height=\"414\" class=\"wp-image-185102\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/setting-ahrefs-competitive-analysis-report-into.png\" alt=\"Setting Ahrefs' Competitive Analysis report into &quot;referring domains&quot; mode.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/setting-ahrefs-competitive-analysis-report-into.png 1093w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/setting-ahrefs-competitive-analysis-report-into-680x258.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/setting-ahrefs-competitive-analysis-report-into-768x291.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1093px) 100vw, 1093px\"><\/p>\n<p>Where it says \u201cthe target doesn\u2019t rank for\u201d, add your website. Beneath that, add your list of competitors:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1432\" height=\"889\" class=\"wp-image-185103\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/adding-your-website-and-competitors-into-ahrefs-c.png\" alt=\"Adding your website and competitors into Ahrefs' Competitive Analysis report.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/adding-your-website-and-competitors-into-ahrefs-c.png 1432w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/adding-your-website-and-competitors-into-ahrefs-c-680x422.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/adding-your-website-and-competitors-into-ahrefs-c-768x477.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1432px) 100vw, 1432px\"><\/p>\n<p>Then click \u201cshow link opportunities\u201d to see a list of websites your competitors rank for, but you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_f5grxz238iun\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 3. Refine the data to remove low-quality links&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>You can easily remove most low-quality links by applying a few filters.<\/p>\n<p>Start by looking at domains that link to all competitors you\u2019ve entered. If a site links to all your competitors and not to you, it\u2019s likely worthwhile for you to get a link from it. These will be your high-priority link targets.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"380\" height=\"406\" class=\"wp-image-185104\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-filters-to-only-show-links-that-all-of-your.png\" alt=\"Using filters to only show links that all of your competitors have earned but that you haven't.\"><\/p>\n<p>You could also check domains that link to at least two competitors afterward. These will be your medium-priority link targets.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"376\" height=\"405\" class=\"wp-image-185105\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/using-filters-to-only-show-links-that-at-least-two.png\" alt=\"Using filters to only show links that at least two of your competitors have earned but that you haven't.\"><\/p>\n<p>Next, you can look at only \u201cdofollow\u201d domains:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"451\" height=\"151\" class=\"wp-image-185106\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/applying-the-dofollow-filter-in-ahrefs-competitive.png\" alt=\"Applying the Dofollow filter in Ahrefs Competitive Analysis report\"><\/p>\n<p>If your list of link targets is still rather long, try setting the Domain Rating (DR) filter to a minimum of&nbsp;50:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-185107\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/applying-the-domain-rating-filter-to-a-minimum-of.png\" alt=\"Applying the Domain Rating filter to a minimum of 50 in Ahrefs' Competitive Analysis report.\" width=\"407\" height=\"203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/applying-the-domain-rating-filter-to-a-minimum-of.png 580w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/applying-the-domain-rating-filter-to-a-minimum-of-400x200.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px\"><\/p>\n<p>Or the domain traffic filter to a minimum of 1,000:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-185108\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/applying-the-domain-traffic-filter-to-a-minimum-of.png\" alt=\"Applying the Domain Traffic filter to a minimum of 1000 in Ahrefs' Competitive Analysis report.\" width=\"414\" height=\"210\"><\/p>\n<p>You can adjust these values up or down depending on the results you get in the report.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_yafoc64sy0k4\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 4. Analyze each domain\u2019s relevance&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>Even with these filters applied, there will always be links your competitors get that are not relevant to your brand or industry.<\/p>\n<p>To remove them, start by assessing the first domain in the&nbsp;list.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"664\" height=\"425\" class=\"wp-image-185109\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/sourcing-domains-in-ahrefs-link-intersect-tool-.png\" alt=\"Sourcing domains in Ahrefs' Link Intersect tool.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/sourcing-domains-in-ahrefs-link-intersect-tool-.png 664w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/sourcing-domains-in-ahrefs-link-intersect-tool--260x166.png 260w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px\"><\/p>\n<p>Open the website to see what it\u2019s about. If it&nbsp;is:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Not about your industry<\/li>\n<li>Not a business directory<\/li>\n<li>Not a high-quality site that can build your&nbsp;brand<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u2026 do not add it to your prospecting list. Move on to the next domain and repeat this assessment process.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_h3jgyf6nzjr8\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 5. Add relevant domains to the Link Gap Analysis Template&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>For each website you identify that\u2019s relevant, and you can likely get a link from it, add it to your copy of the <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/spreadsheets\/u\/1\/d\/1tQatuN9TGcmW0VtKTCX6nDqKVr_b3rdXPD1VOmfkuBo\/copy\">link gap template<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"925\" height=\"466\" class=\"wp-image-185110\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-1.png\" alt=\"A screenshot of Ahrefs' backlink gap analysis spreadsheet template.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-1.png 925w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-1-680x343.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/a-screenshot-of-ahrefs-backlink-gap-analysis-spre-1-768x387.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\"><\/p>\n<p>Focus on filling out the columns for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Page \/ Site<\/strong>: Add the domain here.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Domain Rating (DR)<\/strong>: Add the domain\u2019s authority score.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Domain Traffic<\/strong>: Add the traffic across the entire website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You\u2019ll find the data in these columns in Ahrefs:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"774\" height=\"431\" class=\"wp-image-185111\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/where-to-find-the-domain-domain-rating-and-traffi.png\" alt=\"Where to find the domain, domain rating and traffic metrics for each target link you add to the prospecting template.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/where-to-find-the-domain-domain-rating-and-traffi.png 774w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/where-to-find-the-domain-domain-rating-and-traffi-680x379.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/where-to-find-the-domain-domain-rating-and-traffi-768x428.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px\"><\/p>\n<p>You can also fill out general columns like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Status: <\/strong>Set it as \u201cTo Outreach\u201d.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Priority<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>High = all competitors have links from this domain<\/li>\n<li>Medium = more than two competitors have links from this domain.<\/li>\n<li>Low = only one competitor has links from this domain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Link Target: <\/strong>Add the page on your website you want to get a link to. If you\u2019re unsure of a specific page, just add your homepage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1119\" height=\"197\" class=\"wp-image-185112\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/example-of-data-entered-into-ahrefs-backlink-gap.png\" alt=\"Example of data entered into Ahrefs' Backlink Gap Analysis template.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/example-of-data-entered-into-ahrefs-backlink-gap.png 1119w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/example-of-data-entered-into-ahrefs-backlink-gap-680x120.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/example-of-data-entered-into-ahrefs-backlink-gap-768x135.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1119px) 100vw, 1119px\"><\/p>\n<p>Your team can fill out the remaining columns during the prospecting and outreach phases.<\/p>\n<p>For now, continue going through the list of domains, adding only the relevant ones to your&nbsp;list.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_a1bzavsufuu1\"><\/a><div class=\"post-nav-link clearfix\" id=\"section1\"><a class=\"subhead-anchor\" data-tip=\"tooltip__copielink\" rel=\"#section1\"><svg width=\"19\" height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 14 14\" style><g fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><path d=\"M0 0h14v14H0z\" \/><path d=\"M7.45 9.887l-1.62 1.621c-.92.92-2.418.92-3.338 0a2.364 2.364 0 0 1 0-3.339l1.62-1.62-1.273-1.272-1.62 1.62a4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.885 5.884l1.62-1.62L7.45 9.886zM5.527 5.135L7.17 3.492c.92-.92 2.418-.92 3.339 0 .92.92.92 2.418 0 3.339L8.866 8.473l1.272 1.273 1.644-1.643A4.161 4.161 0 1 0 5.897 2.22L4.254 3.863l1.272 1.272zm-.66 3.998a.749.749 0 0 1 0-1.06l2.208-2.206a.749.749 0 1 1 1.06 1.06L5.928 9.133a.75.75 0 0 1-1.061 0z\" style \/><\/g><\/svg><\/a><div class=\"link-text\"> 6. Repeat the process to find exact referring pages linking to competitors&nbsp;<\/div><\/div><\/h2>\n<p>Some link building strategies work better by adding a backlink to an existing post instead of creating new content that contains a&nbsp;link.<\/p>\n<p>In this case, when you contact editors and website owners, you must provide the exact page on which you want to request a&nbsp;link.<\/p>\n<p>To find such pages, switch the Link Intersect report to \u201creferring pages\u201d mode:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"905\" height=\"323\" class=\"wp-image-185113\" src=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/how-to-switch-ahrefs-link-intersect-to-rreferring.png\" alt=\"How to switch Ahrefs' Link Intersect to Rreferring pages mode.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/how-to-switch-ahrefs-link-intersect-to-rreferring.png 905w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/how-to-switch-ahrefs-link-intersect-to-rreferring-680x243.png 680w, https:\/\/ahrefs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/how-to-switch-ahrefs-link-intersect-to-rreferring-768x274.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 905px) 100vw, 905px\"><\/p>\n<p>Then, repeat steps 3 to 5, adding each relevant page to the link gap analysis template.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"post-185098-_abn1m4lp0gxl\"><\/a>Final thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>This process is complete once you have examined all the domains and individual pages that link to two or more competitors but not to your website.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve added all the relevant ones to the spreadsheet, this task is complete.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll then need to send the spreadsheet to your client, manager, or whoever is in charge of link prospecting so they can complete the remaining columns in the spreadsheet and prepare it for outreach.<\/p>\n<p>Got a special link gap analysis process you\u2019d love to share? We\u2019re building a marketing SOP library\u2014connect with me <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/despina-gavoyannis\/\">on LinkedIn<\/a> and have your processes included!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This process helps&nbsp;you: Find quality links quickly Improve your domain\u2019s authority Close gaps against competitors In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to use our backlink gap analysis template to find relevant, high-quality websites that are worth reaching out&nbsp;to. Make a<span class=\"ellipsis\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"read-more\">Read more \u203a<\/div>\n<p><!-- end of .read-more --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":195,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[335],"tags":[],"coauthors":[458],"class_list":["post-185098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general-seo","odd"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Do a Backlink Gap Analysis (With Template)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A backlink gap analysis is the process of finding great links your competitors have that you don\u2019t.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link 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