SEMrush isn't showing any links of Competitors

[imransheikh]

If SEMrush isn’t showing any links of competitors, here are possible reasons and solutions:

1. The Competitor Has Few or No Backlinks
If a site is new or lacks a strong backlink profile, SEMrush might not have detected any links.
Solution: Check with other tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Majestic to confirm.
2. SEMrush’s Database Hasn’t Indexed the Links Yet
SEMrush updates its backlink database frequently but might not have crawled all links.
Solution: Wait for a refresh or try Google Search Console (if you own the site) for real-time backlink data.
3. The Competitor Is Using Link Obfuscation
Some websites use JavaScript-based links or other techniques to hide backlinks from crawlers.
Solution: Use Wayback Machine to check historical backlinks or inspect page source code manually.
4. SEMrush Limits Data on Free or Lower Plans
If you're using a free or lower-tier SEMrush plan, competitor backlink data may be restricted.
Solution: Upgrade to a higher SEMrush plan or use an alternative SEO tool.
5. Incorrect Domain Entry
Ensure you’re checking the correct root domain (example.com) instead of a subdomain or a different variation.
Solution: Try both “www” and non-www versions, and check subdomains separately.
6. Technical Issues or Temporary Bugs
Sometimes, SEMrush may experience temporary indexing or data fetching issues.
Solution: Clear cache, log out and back in, or check SEMrush’s status page for updates.
Would you like a recommendation for alternative tools or a manual way to check competitor backlinks? ?

[DediRock]

It could be that your competitor’s site is new, has few backlinks, or they’ve blocked crawlers. Try checking other tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to compare results.

[imranlegacy]

Here’s a clear response to “SEMrush isn’t showing any links of competitors — what’s going on?”:

? If SEMrush isn’t showing competitor backlinks, here are some possible reasons:
1. Competitor Domain Is Too New or Too Small
If the competitor’s site is:

Very new

Low traffic

Has minimal or no backlinks yet
➡️ SEMrush may not have picked up any data because there’s nothing substantial to show.

2. Backlinks Haven’t Been Crawled Yet
SEMrush constantly crawls the web, but it doesn't see everything instantly — especially if:

The backlinks are on low-authority or rarely crawled sites

They were recently created

➡️ Wait a few days or use Google Search Console (if it’s your site) for faster updates.

3. You’re Searching the Wrong Way
Make sure you're:

Using the full root domain (not just a subpage or subdomain)

Typing the domain correctly (e.g., example.com, not www.example.com only)

➡️ In SEMrush, use Backlink Analytics > Overview, then enter the domain name properly.

4. SEMrush Plan Limitations
If you’re using a free or limited plan, some backlink data may be restricted or not visible in full.

➡️ Consider using a trial or upgraded plan to unlock deeper data.

5. Backlink Cloaking or Blocking
Some sites block bots like SEMrush from crawling their pages (via robots.txt or firewalls), which can hide backlinks from SEMrush’s crawler.

➡️ In this case, Ahrefs or Majestic might detect different links — it's worth cross-checking.

✅ What You Can Do:
Try Ahrefs, Moz, or Ubersuggest to cross-check backlink data.

Use Google Search operators like link:competitor.com (limited, but sometimes helpful).

Check if your competitor is hiding links through redirects, cloaked URLs, or nofollow tags.

Need help analyzing a specific competitor? Drop the URL and I’ll help you figure out the best way to spy on their backlink strategy!