When we started building backlinks for clients, we trusted almost every “high DA” website that came our way.
Big numbers, fancy metrics, and zero real traffic.
What new SEO and digital entrepreneurs need to realize is that not every DA 80 website is worth a backlink. Some websites are simply inflated with numbers — no traffic, no relevance, and no real SEO impact..
Over the years, at LinkRush, we tested almost every tool available — paid and free — to judge a website’s real authority.
Yes, there are free tools that do the job surprisingly well and help you save money until paid tools are actually needed.
Here are the 5 best free tools for marketers starting out to check DA, DR, and backlink quality.
1. Moz Domain Authority Checker : Measuring True Site Authority (DA + Spam Score Insight)
Moz introduced the “Domain Authority” metric, & it’s still one of the most trusted indicators of a website’s potential ranking strength. As a starter, Moz is the daily companion to check dozens of domains every morning, comparing DA scores and shortlist outreach sites. Moz Domain Analysis how likely a domain is to rank on Google on a scale of 0–100.
LinkRush Progress (Real Talk): What we learnt (a bit late but finally) Don’t just chase high DA. Compare DA with organic traffic & backlinks to get a realistic view.
2. Ahrefs Website Authority Checker (DR) : Ahrefs DR Tool Backlink Strength Meets Organic Traffic Analysis”
Where Moz gives you the bigger picture, Ahrefs gives you the real juice.
Domain Rating (DR) measures link strength based purely on backlinks and is one of the most trusted metrics for analyzing link prospects.
Got a DR 80 site on Ahrefs that sent zero traffic. It looks like that's exactly what I needed at least on paper, but when I checked a little bit deeper in the sea, it had nothing indexed and then we realised. DR can look impressive, but it does not guarantee real performance.
Ahrefs Website Authority Checker Shows backlink strength & link authority.
LinkRush Progress (Real Talk) : The Truth is I kept using DR to compare sites and believe Yeah i got it, DR 80 site thats a gold mine Thats how I used to think and waste time and Money, but later on I started to cross-check with organic traffic before using the link and realised that a DR 40 website with 1–3K real organic traffic often performs better than a DR 80 site with no traffic.
3. SEMrush Backlink Analytics : Track Link Quality, Lost Backlinks & Authority Growth
When it comes to backlink quality, SEMrush provides a strong mix of traffic data, authority scores, and backlink insights.
One thing I love about SEMrush is the “lost backlinks” tracker. Once, we'd found a client’s top backlink had quietly vanished that single insight helped us reclaim a DR 75 link worth thousands. SEMrush Backlink Checker Shows top backlinks, referring domains, & lost links.
LinkRush Progress (Real Talk) : Keep an eye on lost links, an underrated SEO growth hack.
4. Xamsor Backlink Quality Checker : Identify Real vs. Spammy Links Using Traffic & Context Signals
This one’s a hidden gem. Xamsor doesn’t just show metrics — it’s giving context, checks organic traffic, trends, & referring domains, ultimately helping to spot whether site is real or just inflated by spammy links.
When our team started using Xamsor, we cut out 40% of low-quality domains from our outreach list & the best part? Client rankings improved with fewer, but higher-quality links.
Xamsor Backlink Quality Checker Evaluates backlink quality using traffic & link context.
LinkRush Progress (Real Talk) : Use this before finalizing any guest post or link exchange. It’s like a background check for websites.
5. LinkBuilding HQ Domain Metrics Tool : Compare DA, DR & Traffic Data in One Dashboard
If you’re running multiple link checks a day, this one saves time. It combines Domain Authority, Page Authority, Domain Ratings, & traffic data all in one go — no need to jump between tabs. LinkBuildingHQ Free Domain Metrics Checker Provides multiple metrics in one dashboard.
LinkRush Progress (Real Talk): Great for quick bulk checks before diving deeper into each domain
What I’ve Learned About DA, DR & Backlink Quality
Here’s the truth I’ve learned after analyzing thousands of sites:
Domain Authority (Moz) predicts how well a site might rank. Domain Ratings (Ahrefs) shows how strong its backlinks are. Traffic & relevance show if those links actually work.
You can’t rely on a single metric. A DR 80 site with no organic traffic might do nothing for you — while a DR 40 site with real, steady traffic can skyrocket your visibility.
At Link Rush, our golden rule is simple:
Backlinks that bring real traffic are more valuable than links that only inflate metrics
How We Use These Tools at Link Rush
Every backlink we build goes through a quick internal audit:
- Check DA/DR: Using Moz & Ahrefs.
- Analyze traffic & trend: Using Xamsor or SEMrush.
- Confirm indexing: Make sure it’s live on Google.
- Evaluate content quality: Relevance matters more than metrics.
That’s how we ensure every link we build actually strengthens our clients’ SEO long-term.
Don’t Get Obsessed with Numbers
Domain Authority & Domain Ratings are helpful, but they’re not everything. I’ve seen websites with “average” scores outperform giants — simply because their backlinks were relevant, natural, & built with purpose.
If you’re just starting out, use these free tools to analyze smart, not to chase scores. Focus on real connections, organic visibility, & sustainable growth.
That’s the LinkRush way - & it’s what keeps our clients growing month after month.
“Want us to audit your backlink profile using these tools ?
Reach out to the Link Rush team we’ll show you exactly which backlinks drive rankings and which are holding you back."
