backlinks.sh review
A focused, pay-as-you-go API for backlink and referring-domain lookups.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
backlinks.sh is a usage-based SEO API for developers who need backlink and referring-domain data for domains. Its REST API supports target-domain lookups, authority sorting, pagination with offset support, and configurable result limits up to 1,000 per page. A browser-based domain lookup interface is also available, giving teams a direct way to inspect domains alongside API-key access. The product is best suited to focused backlink workflows rather than broad, all-in-one SEO operations.
Pricing is based on one-time prepaid credits instead of a subscription. The 1,000-credit plan costs $10, the 5,000-credit plan costs $40, the 25,000-credit plan costs $150, and the 100,000-credit plan costs $400. One API request equals one credit, and credits never expire. The homepage also offers three free lookups, while the paid plans provide a clearer structure for recurring or larger-volume use. This model fits developers who want to control spend around actual requests and avoid recurring billing.
Its main depth comes from backlink retrieval and domain-level analysis. Results come from the Common Crawl Web Graph, with optional rankings from Majestic, Tranco, and OpenPageRank. The API can return referring domains, sort by authority, and handle larger result sets through pagination and configurable limits. That makes backlinks.sh a practical choice for applications centered on backlink discovery, referring-domain reporting, or lightweight authority comparisons. Teams seeking a wider SEO platform, more specialized datasets, or a broader set of marketing workflows should choose an alternative; developers with a narrow backlink lookup need are the clearest fit.
backlinks.sh pros and cons
- Where it wins
- One-time credits start at $10 per 1,000 credits
- Backlink and referring-domain lookup with authority sorting
- Credits never expire and results support pagination
- Where it doesn't
- No permanent free plan
- Focuses primarily on backlink and domain lookup
- Optional ranking data adds scope but not broader SEO tooling
backlinks.sh fact sheet, pricing and score →
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