
When it comes to backlink analysis and link-building research, Moz’s Link Explorer remains one of the most trusted tools in the SEO industry. As the successor to the legendary Open Site Explorer, Link Explorer gives marketers access to a massive index of web links, Domain Authority (DA) scores, Page Authority (PA) metrics, and Spam Score data — all from the company that invented these industry-standard metrics.
Whether you’re auditing your own backlink profile, researching competitors, or prospecting for new link-building opportunities, this guide covers everything you need to know about using Moz’s Link Explorer effectively in 2025.
What Is Moz’s Link Explorer?

Moz’s Link Explorer is a backlink analysis tool built into the Moz Pro SEO suite. It allows you to enter any URL — your own domain, a competitor’s site, or a specific page — and instantly see detailed information about the links pointing to it.
The tool crawls and indexes trillions of links across the web, making it one of the largest link databases available. Unlike some lesser-known link analysis tools, Moz refreshes its link index regularly, ensuring the data you’re working with is current and actionable.
Key Metrics in Link Explorer
- Domain Authority (DA): A 1–100 score predicting how well a domain will rank in search engines. Created by Moz and now the most widely recognized link authority metric in the SEO industry.
- Page Authority (PA): Similar to DA but applied to individual pages rather than entire domains. Useful for evaluating specific content pieces and landing pages.
- Spam Score: A proprietary metric that flags potentially harmful or low-quality links. Scores range from 1% to 100%, with higher scores indicating greater spam risk.
- Linking Domains: The total number of unique domains linking to a target. This is often more important than raw link count because search engines value diversity.
- Inbound Links: The complete count of individual backlinks pointing to the target URL or domain.
- Top Pages: A ranking of pages on a domain sorted by the number and quality of backlinks they’ve attracted.
- Anchor Text Distribution: A breakdown of the text used in links pointing to the target, helping identify over-optimized or natural-looking link profiles.
How to Use Moz’s Link Explorer: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Enter Your Target URL
Navigate to Link Explorer and enter any URL in the search bar. You can analyze at three levels:
- Root domain (e.g., example.com) — shows all links to the entire website
- Subdomain (e.g., blog.example.com) — isolates links to a specific subdomain
- Exact page (e.g., example.com/specific-page/) — shows links to one specific URL
For most competitive analysis, start with the root domain to get the big picture, then drill into specific pages that are ranking for your target keywords.
Step 2: Analyze the Overview Dashboard
The overview dashboard gives you a snapshot of the target’s link profile at a glance:
- DA score with historical trend graph
- Total linking domains (unique referring websites)
- Total inbound links (individual backlink count)
- Top-linked pages on the domain
- Spam Score assessment
Pay particular attention to the DA trend line. A steadily rising DA suggests the site is consistently earning quality backlinks. A declining DA may indicate lost links, a penalty, or declining content quality.
Step 3: Deep-Dive Into Inbound Links
Click through to the “Inbound Links” tab to see every individual backlink Moz has discovered. For each link, you’ll see:
- The linking page’s URL and title
- The linking page’s PA score
- The linking domain’s DA score
- Anchor text used in the link
- Whether the link is follow or nofollow
- Spam Score of the linking domain
- Date the link was first discovered
Sort by DA to quickly identify your highest-authority backlinks. Sort by “Discovered” date to find recently acquired links or detect link churn (links disappearing over time).
Step 4: Discover Competitor Link Sources
One of the most powerful applications of Link Explorer is competitive backlink analysis. Enter a competitor’s domain to see exactly where their links are coming from. Look for patterns such as:
- Guest post opportunities on sites that link to competitors but not you
- Resource page links you could replicate
- Industry directories your competitor is listed in
- Content types that naturally attract links (infographics, original research, tools)
If you’re planning a comprehensive link-building strategy, analyzing your top 5–10 competitors’ backlink profiles in Link Explorer provides a roadmap of proven link sources in your niche. For even deeper competitive intelligence, consider pairing this analysis with a tool like Semrush’s competitive analysis suite for keyword gap data alongside link data.
Step 5: Check Anchor Text Distribution
The “Anchor Text” tab reveals what text people use when linking to a site. A healthy anchor text profile looks natural and diverse:
- Brand name anchors (most common in natural profiles)
- URL anchors (raw URLs used as link text)
- Generic anchors (“click here,” “read more,” “this article”)
- Keyword-rich anchors (should be a minority, not dominant)
If a site’s anchor text profile is dominated by exact-match keyword anchors, that’s a red flag for potential over-optimization or manipulative link building — useful information whether you’re auditing your own profile or assessing a competitor’s vulnerability.
Step 6: Identify and Disavow Toxic Links
Use the Spam Score filter to identify potentially harmful links. Moz assigns Spam Score based on 27 different flags that correlate with sites that have been penalized or banned by Google. Links from domains with a Spam Score above 60% warrant investigation, and those above 80% should be seriously considered for a Google disavow file submission.
To clean up a toxic backlink profile:
- Export all links with high Spam Scores from Link Explorer
- Manually review each link to confirm it’s genuinely spammy (not all high-score links are harmful)
- Attempt outreach to webmasters requesting link removal
- Submit remaining toxic links to Google’s Disavow Tool via Search Console
Moz Link Explorer vs. Free Alternatives
Moz offers limited free access to Link Explorer — 10 queries per month for free Moz Community members. This is enough for occasional checks but nowhere near sufficient for regular SEO work.
| Feature | Link Explorer (Free) | Link Explorer (Moz Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Queries per month | 10 | Unlimited |
| Rows per query | 50 links | Full index |
| CSV export | ❌ | ✅ |
| Link tracking over time | ❌ | ✅ |
| Competitor comparison | Limited | Full |
| API access | ❌ | ✅ (paid add-on) |
For serious SEO work, you’ll need either a Moz Pro subscription or access through a Moz group buy plan to get unlimited queries, full data exports, and ongoing link monitoring capabilities.
Moz Link Explorer vs. Ahrefs Site Explorer
The most common comparison is Moz’s Link Explorer against Ahrefs’ Site Explorer. Here’s how they stack up:
| Factor | Moz Link Explorer | Ahrefs Site Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Link Index Size | ~44 trillion links | ~35 trillion links |
| Crawl Frequency | Regular updates | Near real-time updates |
| Unique Metrics | DA, PA, Spam Score | DR, UR, Ahrefs Rank |
| Industry Adoption | DA widely recognized | DR growing fast |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Starting Price | $49/mo | $129/mo |
| Free Access | 10 queries/month | Webmaster Tools (own site only) |
Moz’s biggest advantage is price and accessibility — Link Explorer costs roughly half of what Ahrefs charges, and the DA/PA metrics are the most universally understood authority measurements in SEO. Ahrefs’ advantage lies in crawl freshness and the depth of its backlink data for competitive research. If budget is a concern, you can access both tools affordably through services like Ahrefs group buy plans available at ToolSurf.
Practical Link Explorer Use Cases
1. Link Building Prospecting
Enter competitors who rank for your target keywords. Export their linking domains and filter by DA 30+ to create a curated list of high-quality link prospects. Prioritize sites that link to multiple competitors — they’re more likely to link to you as well.
2. Content Gap Analysis (Link-Based)
Use the “Top Pages” feature to find which content on competitor sites earns the most links. This reveals content formats and topics that naturally attract backlinks in your niche — guide your content strategy based on proven link-earners.
3. Link Profile Audits
For clients or your own sites, run quarterly link audits using Spam Score to catch toxic links early. Monitor your DA trend to ensure link-building efforts are moving the needle. Export link data for client reports showing backlink growth over time.
4. Broken Link Recovery
Check your own site’s top pages in Link Explorer. If you find 404 pages with existing backlinks, redirect those URLs to relevant live pages to reclaim that link equity. This is one of the quickest SEO wins available.
5. PR and Digital PR Analysis
After a press release or media campaign, use Link Explorer to track new backlinks acquired. Filter by “Discovered” date to see exactly which outlets linked to your coverage and assess the DA quality of the placements.
Link Explorer API: For Developers and Agencies
Moz offers a paid API (Moz Links API) that provides programmatic access to Link Explorer data. The API is useful for:
- Building custom dashboards and client reporting tools
- Bulk DA/PA checking for large lists of domains
- Integrating link metrics into your own SaaS products
- Automating link prospecting workflows
How to Buy Mozs Link Explorer at an Affordable Price from Toolsurf.com
Getting access to premium tools like Mozs Link Explorer doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s how to get it through Toolsurf:
- Visit the Toolsurf Store: Go to tools.toolsurf.com/cart
- Search for the Product: Search for “Mozs Link Explorer” and click on “Buy Now”
- Complete Your Purchase: Enter your details and complete the purchase process
That’s it! You’ll have access within minutes.
Why Choose Toolsurf to Buy Mozs Link Explorer?
- 💰 Save Up to 99% on Premium Tools
- ⚡ Get Access in Under 2 Minutes
- 🔒 99.9% Uptime Guarantee
- 💸 24-Hour Money-Back Guarantee
- 🎧 Avg. 5-Minute Response Time for Support
👉 Get Mozs Link Explorer at Toolsurf Now
API pricing starts at $100/month for 2,500 rows per month, scaling up based on usage. Enterprise-level agencies may need to negotiate custom API pricing with Moz directly.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Link Explorer
- Compare multiple competitors: Don’t just analyze one competitor. Run Link Explorer on your top 5 organic competitors and look for link sources that appear across multiple sites — these are high-probability prospects.
- Track DA over time: Moz Pro users can track DA changes for any domain over time. Set up tracking for your own domain and key competitors to monitor link authority trends.
- Export and filter in spreadsheets: CSV exports from Link Explorer give you raw data you can filter, sort, and cross-reference with other tools. This is essential for serious link building campaigns.
- Use Spam Score wisely: Not every high Spam Score link is actually harmful. Always manually review flagged links before adding them to a disavow file.
- Combine with other tools: Link Explorer excels at DA/PA metrics and spam detection, but pairing it with Semrush’s backlink analytics gives you a more complete picture with content gap analysis and keyword-linked backlink data.
Link Explorer Limitations to Be Aware Of
While Link Explorer is a powerful tool, it has some limitations worth noting:
- Crawl freshness: Moz’s crawl cycle isn’t as frequent as Ahrefs, meaning some very new links may take a few days to appear in the index.
- Historical data: Link Explorer doesn’t provide the deep historical link data that some competitors offer. You can see current links and recent discoveries, but tracking links lost years ago requires different tools.
- Free tier restrictions: The 10 free queries per month is quite limiting for anyone doing regular SEO work.
- No content-level metrics: Unlike some newer tools, Link Explorer focuses purely on links and authority metrics — it doesn’t include content quality scores or topical authority measurements.
Moz Link Explorer FAQ
Is Moz’s Link Explorer accurate?
Yes, Link Explorer is highly accurate for the metrics it provides. DA and PA are calculated using machine learning models trained on real Google search results. However, no backlink tool has a complete picture of every link on the internet — Moz, Ahrefs, and Semrush all capture slightly different slices of the web.
Can I use Link Explorer for free?
Yes, Moz offers 10 free Link Explorer queries per month when you create a free Moz Community account. For serious SEO work, a Moz Pro subscription or group buy access is recommended.
What’s the difference between Link Explorer and MozBar?
Link Explorer is the full web-based backlink analysis tool. MozBar is a browser extension that shows DA and PA scores directly in Google search results. MozBar uses the same underlying data but presents it in a simplified, quick-reference format.
How often does Moz update its link index?
Moz updates its link index regularly, typically with the full index refreshing on a regular schedule. New links are discovered through ongoing web crawling and usually appear within days of Moz’s crawler finding them.
Does Link Explorer show nofollow links?
Yes, Link Explorer identifies and labels both follow and nofollow links. You can filter to see only follow links if you want to focus on links that pass traditional link equity.
🏆 ToolSurf Verdict: Moz’s Link Explorer
Best For: SEOs who rely on Domain Authority and Page Authority as their primary link metrics, need a beginner-friendly backlink research tool, or want affordable professional-grade link analysis starting at just $49/month.
Main Advantage: DA and PA remain the most universally recognized and cited authority metrics in the SEO industry. Link Explorer delivers these metrics alongside Spam Score analysis in an interface that’s more approachable than many competitors.
Best Value Option: Take advantage of the 30-day free trial to fully evaluate Link Explorer. For ongoing access at the lowest possible cost, ToolSurf’s Moz group buy gives you full Link Explorer capabilities at a fraction of retail pricing — combine it with Ahrefs and Semrush access for comprehensive link intelligence.
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