LSD
APIEndpoint 25 of 40Link Authority / Backlinks / Domain Analysis

Backlinks API

The backlinks API for the new link intelligence stack.

Link authority was captured by SaaS dashboards — Ahrefs at $129/mo, Semrush at $139.95/mo, Majestic at $99/mo. All repackage the same upstream backlink data (Majestic, DataForSEO) through per-seat subscriptions. We unbundled the data layer. Call the endpoint, get total backlinks, referring domains, domain rank, spam score, and link type breakdown in one POST. $0.025 per domain. Your agent does the rest.

Start Free — 50 CreditsView Docs

POST /v1/backlinks/summary · 5 credits per domain

POST /v1/backlinks/summary5 of 384
Referring domains
austinchamber.orgDA 68

"Austin's top-rated plumbers"

dofollow
yelp.comDA 92

"ABC Plumbing"

nofollow
homeadvisor.comDA 89

"Visit website"

nofollow
austinmonthly.comDA 54

"best plumbers in austin"

dofollow
bbb.orgDA 91

"ABC Plumbing - BBB"

nofollow
▌ Ask your agent

These prompts are the new link authority workflow.

Connect Local SEO Data as an MCP server once (60 seconds, below). Then your agent runs the research. Replace bracketed domains with your own.

Link competitor audit

Compare backlink profiles for [mycompany.com] vs [competitor1.com] and [competitor2.com]. Flag who has the most referring domains and the lowest spam score.

Pre-pitch link assessment

Pull backlink summary for a prospect's domain [prospectsite.com]. Tell me their total backlinks, referring domains, and domain rank. Are they link-poor or link-rich?

Link-building opportunity detection

Run backlink summaries for 20 local competitor domains in [Denver, Colorado]. Flag any with 50+ referring domains and <15 spam score — they're likely open to outreach.

Weekly link authority tracking

Pull monthly backlink snapshots for our top 5 commercial keywords' ranking domains. Trend the referring domain count month-over-month. Who's gaining links fastest?

▌ Real response

What you get back

Live response for a sample plumbing company domain. Real API response, May 2026.

response · application/json~3-5s · 5 credits
{
  "status": "success",
  "credits_used": 5,
  "data": {
    "domain": "abcplumbing.com",
    "rank": 342,
    "backlinks_total": 1240,
    "referring_domains": 87,
    "referring_domains_nofollow": 12,
    "broken_backlinks": 3,
    "spam_score": 8,
    "backlinks_by_type": {
      "anchor": 980,
      "image": 160,
      "redirect": 100
    }
  }
}
▌ Returns

The link metrics that determine domain authority

Total backlinks

Full link count and domain rank

Total number of backlinks pointing to this domain, plus a domain rank score (0-100, higher = more authoritative). Rank is calculated from referring domain quality and velocity.

Referring domains

Unique linking domains and nofollow breakdown

How many unique domains link to this site — more important than total backlinks. Includes nofollow ratio so you can distinguish between high-authority links and brand mentions.

Spam score

Link health indicator (0-100)

Probability this domain has toxic or artificial backlinks. Scores above 30 suggest manual link-buying or Penguin penalties. Use to assess whether a competitor's link profile is at risk.

Link type breakdown

Anchor text links, image, and redirects

How backlinks are distributed by type. Anchor-text (named) links carry more ranking weight than image or redirect links. Pair with Backlink Gap API to find similar link sources you're missing.

▌ Built for

What link operators ship with this endpoint

Competitive link benchmarking

Agencies pull backlink summaries for all local competitors monthly. Agent flags who gained/lost links, who has the highest domain rank, and whose spam score is rising. Detect link-building threats early.

→ For agencies

Pre-pitch link assessment for consultants

Before the sales call, pull backlink data for 5-10 competitors in the prospect's market. Walk in knowing 'you have 50 referring domains, your top 3 competitors have 100+, and you're rank 342 — here's the link strategy gap.' Closes deals with data.

→ For consultants

Acquisition diligence for buyers

Due diligence teams pull backlink summaries for sites under consideration. High spam score (>40) may indicate past Penguin penalties or manual link-buying. Low domain rank relative to content quality suggests growth opportunity.

→ For acquisitions

Link-building target prioritization

Pair this endpoint with [Backlink Gap API](/backlink-gap-api) to find competitor link sources. Your agent runs both: pull your competitors' backlink summary, fetch gap analysis, and build a list of 'who links to them but not us.' Prioritize outreach to high-authority, low-spam sites.

→ Backlink Gap API
▌ vs. the alternatives

Why not use Ahrefs, Semrush, Majestic, or Moz Link Explorer?

Link authority tools were monopolized by SaaS dashboards. Here's why the API model is fundamentally better for agents.

ToolCost modelBulk domainsLink freshnessAI-agent ready
Ahrefs Starter ($129/mo)$129–299/mo per seat, $1,548–3,588/yearYes, via dashboardUpdated monthlyAPI available but dashboard-first
Semrush ($139.95/mo)$139.95–499.95/mo per seat, $1,679–5,999/yearYes, via dashboardUpdated monthlyAPI available but dashboard-first
Majestic ($99/mo)$99–399/mo per seatLimited batchingUpdated monthlyAPI but no MCP
Moz Link Explorer ($99/mo)$99–599/mo (Moz Standard+)LimitedUpdated monthlyNo MCP integration
SE Ranking ($159/mo Core)$159/mo for 1M creditsYes, up to 5,000Updated monthlyAPI but credit system opaque
Monitor Backlinks ($25/mo)$25–250/mo per userLimited per planReal-time alertsDashboard only
DataForSEO raw API ($0.05 per domain)$0.05 per domain + base costYes, unlimitedUpdated weeklyREST-only, no MCP
LocalSEOData Backlinks API$0.025 per domain, no seatsUnlimited, one call per domainUpdated weeklyNative MCP + REST, agent-first
▌ Connect in 60 seconds

Use it from your agent

Two integration surfaces: MCP for clients that speak MCP, REST API for everything else.

Direct MCP integration

Drop-in support in Claude Desktop, OpenClaw, Hermes Agent, and any MCP-aware client.

Add to your client's MCP config (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "localseodata": {
      "url": "https://mcp.localseodata.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_live_..."
      }
    }
  }
}

REST API

For Perplexity Computer, ChatGPT Custom GPTs, custom agents, and any platform that calls REST endpoints directly.

Base URL:

api.localseodata.com

See the docs for endpoint reference and auth.

▌ Quickstart

Your first call in three lines

Single parameter: `domain` (required). Pass any domain you want to analyze — your own, competitors, prospects, or acquisition targets. One call returns backlink count, referring domains, domain rank, spam score, and link type breakdown. One call = 5 credits (~$0.025).

terminal · curl
POST /v1/backlinks/summary
curl -X POST https://api.localseodata.com/v1/backlinks/summary \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_..." \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "domain": "abcplumbing.com"
  }'
Full endpoint reference → · Get an API key →
▌ Pricing for this endpoint

$0.025 per domain

5 credits per backlink summary. Free tier on signup includes 50 credits (10 domain checks). Monthly plans start at $19 and never expire. No per-seat fees, no domain caps.

Free tier
10
domain checks on signup (50 credits)
Starter · $19/mo
760
domain checks/mo at this rate
Per-domain cost
$0.025
or 5 credits each
▌ FAQ

Common questions

What is the Backlinks API?+
A REST endpoint that returns domain authority metrics for any website — total backlinks, referring domain count, domain rank (0-100 authority score), spam score (0-100 link health), and breakdown by link type (anchor, image, redirect). One call returns all five metrics as structured JSON. The endpoint is POST /v1/backlinks/summary; one call costs 5 credits (~$0.025). This is the data layer underneath competitive link analysis, link-building opportunity detection, and domain acquisition diligence.
How big is the backlink index? Does it compare to Ahrefs?+
Ahrefs has indexed 30+ trillion backlinks from 190M+ domains. Our upstream provider, DataForSEO, indexes approximately 8-12 trillion backlinks from 100M+ domains — substantial but smaller. We're honest about index size: we're not claiming to outsize Ahrefs. What matters is the shape: per-call pricing ($0.025/domain), MCP integration for agents, and no per-seat fees. If you're comparing link profiles for 100 domains, Ahrefs costs $129/mo for one person; we cost $2.50 total. If you're building an agent that flags link opportunities across your client portfolio, the math breaks sharply in our favor. Ahrefs is better if you need the largest possible index depth; we're better if you need agent-native, per-call pricing.
Where does the backlink data come from?+
DataForSEO, our upstream provider for most SERP and authority endpoints. DataForSEO operates a massive web crawler that continuously indexes backlinks from across the web. They also acquire link data from public domain sources. Most competitive SEO tools use DataForSEO or a similar crawl-based index — Ahrefs, Semrush, SE Ranking all operate their own crawls, while Moz and others license aggregated data. We pass through DataForSEO's index at transparent per-call pricing instead of seat-based subscriptions.
How fresh is the backlink data?+
Backlink data refreshes weekly. Domain rank and spam score refresh monthly. When you call the endpoint, you get the latest snapshot from the weekly crawl. This is slightly slower than Ahrefs (which updates daily) but appropriate for strategic link analysis, competitive benchmarking, and link-building planning. For day-to-day link velocity or immediate alert-on-change, you'd need real-time monitoring like Monitor Backlinks; for most workflows (monthly reports, competitive analysis, acquisition diligence), weekly is standard.
How does this compare to Ahrefs ($129/mo) or Semrush ($139.95/mo)?+
Both offer backlink data through dashboards and APIs, but the business model is per-seat subscription. A $129/mo Ahrefs Starter plan includes ~10,000 API calls/month or ~100 domain reports, assuming you have budget to use them. You're paying for the seat whether you use it or not; a second user costs another $129/mo. With us, you pay $0.025 per domain, meaning 500 domains/month costs $12.50. 1,000 domains costs $25. And no per-user fees — your entire team shares the same API key or uses separate keys scoped to different projects with zero additional cost. For agencies managing 5+ client portfolios or in-house teams doing monthly competitive audits, the economics heavily favor API pricing.
Is Ahrefs Domain Rank the same as your domain rank metric?+
Similar concept, different implementations. Ahrefs Domain Rank (DR) is their proprietary authority score (0-100) based on their backlink index size. Our domain rank is computed from DataForSEO's index. Both rank domains by authority; neither is 'correct' — they reflect different upstream data. If Ahrefs says a competitor has DR 45 and we say rank 38, the difference is index composition, not a bug. For agency work, consistency matters more than absolute accuracy: pick one tool, track changes over time, and use that source for all decisions. The moment you need per-call pricing and agent integration, our model wins. The moment you need the absolute largest index depth, Ahrefs wins.
What is spam score? Should I worry if my domain has a high score?+
Spam score (0-100) estimates the probability this domain has toxic or artificial backlinks. Scores above 30 suggest manual link-buying, Penguin penalties, or low-quality automated links. Scores above 50 usually indicate a domain that's been flagged by Google. Scores below 20 are healthy for most sites. If you see a competitor with a spam score of 65, their link profile is at risk — Google may penalize or devalue those links. If your own score rises from 10 to 45 month-over-month, investigate: you may have acquired bad links or been hit by spam link attacks. Most healthy businesses run 5-15; competitive businesses with aggressive link-building run 15-25.
What is 'referring domains' vs 'total backlinks'?+
Total backlinks is the count of individual links (backlinks_total). Referring domains is how many unique websites link to you (referring_domains). A single website can have 100 links pointing to you; that's 100 backlinks but only 1 referring domain. Google cares more about referring domains than total backlinks — 1 link from CNN is worth more than 100 links from the same weak blog. When evaluating link strength, look at referring_domains first. If a competitor has 500 backlinks but only 15 referring domains, they got the same site to link 30+ times (weak). If they have 500 backlinks from 250 referring domains, that's diverse authority.
Can I analyze my competitors' backlinks with this endpoint?+
Yes — and this is the core reason third-party backlink APIs exist. Google doesn't expose your competitor's backlinks to you. Ahrefs, Semrush, Majestic all let you see competitor link profiles. Our endpoint accepts any domain (yours, competitors, prospects, acquisition targets). No verification, no ownership requirement. You can run backlink summaries on 100 competitor domains; the cost is 5 credits per domain ($0.025 each = $2.50 total). With Ahrefs, a $129/mo seat gives you access but costs $129 whether you use it for 10 domains or 1,000.
Can AI agents use this directly?+
Yes, two ways. MCP: Add Local SEO Data to your claude_desktop_config.json (or any MCP-compatible client like OpenClaw or Hermes Agent), and Claude calls this endpoint from your prompt without you writing integration code. You just say 'pull backlinks for my competitors' and it happens. REST: Any agent that can make HTTPS calls (ChatGPT Custom GPTs, Perplexity Computer, custom Python agents) hits api.localseodata.com with Authorization: Bearer sk_live_.... The agent receives structured JSON and can reason about it — comparing domain ranks, flagging high-spam competitors, ranking targets by link authority. This is why the MCP integration matters: it's the bridge between human intent ('assess link opportunities') and automated research.
What changed in 2026 that made this category exist?+
Two things. First, MCP (Model Context Protocol) became standard in late 2024 and went mainstream through 2025. It let agents call external APIs without bespoke integration work. The moment that happened, link research flipped from a dashboard-driven workflow ('log in to Ahrefs, click around for 20 minutes') to an agent-driven workflow ('my Claude instance runs backlink summaries on 100 competitor domains, ranks by authority, and shows me the link-building targets'). Second, SaaS subscription fatigue hit. Most agencies have Ahrefs or Semrush on a credit card at $129-$200/mo and use 10% of the seat because the onboarding is heavy and per-seat pricing traps you in the dashboard. The API lets you pay for what you use. Same data, zero seat overhead, agent-native integration.
Which is better: Ahrefs, Semrush, or Majestic?+
All three are strong. Ahrefs has the largest index (30T+ backlinks) and daily updates, so it's best for high-volume index depth. Semrush bundles backlink data with keyword research and PPC, which is good for agencies doing full audits. Majestic excels at link trust and flow metrics — their 'Trust Flow' and 'Citation Flow' are different signals than domain rank. For pricing: Ahrefs ($129–299/mo), Semrush ($140–500/mo), Majestic ($99–399/mo) are all in the same range. If you need API-first, agent-native access at per-call pricing with no seat overhead, that's where we win. If you're a team of 5 people who log into a dashboard daily, those tools are purpose-built for you.
Does this work for batch analysis across 100+ domains?+
Yes. One call per domain. If you need to analyze 100 competitor domains, that's 100 calls at 5 credits each = 500 credits (~$2.50). You can batch them in series (one after another in your agent loop) or in parallel (if your agent runtime supports async). Most workflows loop through domains and call the endpoint once per domain — your agent then ranks by referring domain count, spam score, or domain rank. The Backlink Gap API uses this summary data as input to find 'who links to them but not us,' which is where the real link-building opportunities live.
How does this compare to free tools like Google Search Console or MozBar?+
Google Search Console shows only *your* domain's backlink count (no other metrics, no competitors). MozBar shows Moz Domain Authority (DA) for any site but requires a Moz account and doesn't expose an API. Both are limited. For competitive analysis, link-building opportunity detection, or integration with agent workflows, you need a proper API. Our endpoint is $0.025/domain; the Moz subscription starts at $99/mo, and Search Console doesn't do competitors at all.
▌ Related endpoints

Often used in the same agent prompt

POST /v1/backlinks/gap
Backlink Gap API

Sites linking to competitors but not you. Your best link-building targets.

POST /v1/pages/audit
Page Audit API

On-page SEO scores, Core Web Vitals, schema markup.

POST /v1/report/competitor-gap
Competitor Gap API

Rankings, reviews, and links vs your local competitors.

GET /v1/keywords/site
Keywords for Site API

What keywords a competitor ranks for. Reverse-engineer their link targets.

Your agent can audit 100 competitor domains faster than you can open Ahrefs.

50 free credits on signup. 10 domain checks included. Batch analyze your competitive set in your first agent prompt.

Start FreeRead the docs
▌ MADE FOR THE NEW LOCAL SEO STACK