How often do you check if your old backlinks are still live?

If you don't want to pay for monthly tools you can easily use screaming frog's custom extraction or a simple google sheets script to check status codes and nofollow tags also keep an eye on noindex tags sometimes a link stays live, but the site quietly deindexes the post so it passes zero value
 
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I'm using tools like Ahrefs and SE Ranking to track lost backlinks and link changes. Manual checking is still useful for accuracy, but since I manage multiple projects simultaneously, I prefer using monitoring tools to save time and keep track of placements regularly.
 
It's worth checking backlinks regularly, especially paid guest posts and niche edits. You can run a backlink audit every few months to see if the links are still live, whether the pages remain indexed, and if the link attributes have changed. I also keep records of published URLs so it's easier to spot removals or changes. There's no need to check every link daily, but monitoring them helps you understand how much value your existing link profile is retaining.
 
A one-year replacement guarantee makes timing matter a lot. A paid guest post that loses its link in month 11 and goes unnoticed until month 13 may already be past the point where it can be replaced.
That's where automatic alerts earn their place..
 
Absolutely. Link monitoring is an important part of any long-term link-building strategy, but it's often overlooked.

For larger campaigns, using a backlink monitoring tool and maintaining a placement tracking sheet can help identify lost or modified links. One of my clients handles this process for bulk backlink monitoring, regularly tracking existing placements to identify removed links, nofollow changes, and other modifications.
 
I would check important backlinks every month or two. Some links disappear when websites update their content or remove old pages. I would also monitor lost backlinks through SEO tools.
 
I think checking backlinks every few months is a good habit. Some links disappear over time, so a simple spreadsheet or backlink tool can help you keep track.
 
Yes, uploading the URL list to Screaming Frog and checking the "nofollow" and "noindex tags" is a good idea, and it works too.
digitalhaven said:
If you don't want to pay for monthly tools you can easily use screaming frog's custom extraction or a simple google sheets script to check status codes and nofollow tags also keep an eye on noindex tags sometimes a link stays live, but the site quietly deindexes the post so it passes zero value
Click to expand...
 
StrixSeo said:
Yes, sometimes the link is still live, but the tag has changed to nofollow.


If you don't have a subscription, Google Search Console has a free Links report. It's not as detailed, but it shows which sites link to you. (referring domains)


Yeah, anchor text is worth checking too. I do check both.


Right, if the site starts losing traffic, the link is worth less even if it's still live. Better to replace it then.


The spreadsheet idea is good & simple, but it works. I check regularly for my clients with Ahrefs and Semrush, and sometimes manually too. (With the report I provided).


Monthly checks on the links you paid for are good; no need to check every small link daily.


Yeah, that's true; sometimes they remove just the link, and sometimes they delete the whole post. Ahrefs' lost backlinks report can help you find both.
Click to expand...


Once a month I check not just the links themselves but the donor domains too. Sometimes the link is technically still live, but the site already expired, got bought, and now it's a parking page or a casino, those I'd write off right away
 
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