Do you want to build strong backlinks in 2025? Ahrefs is still one of the best tools for it.
But let us be real. Most people get confused when they first open Ahrefs.
There are many buttons. Many reports. Many filters. It can feel too much.
This guide is here to help you.
We will walk you through everything in a very easy and friendly way. No hard words. No boring explanations. Just simple steps.
By the end, you will know exactly how to use Ahrefs link building like a pro.
What Is Ahrefs and Why Use It?
Ahrefs is a tool that helps you check links.
You can check:
- Who is linking to your website
- What keywords your site ranks for
- What backlinks your competitors have
- Which pages bring the most links
In simple words, Ahrefs is like a spyglass. You can see what others are doing. And you can learn from them.
If you want to build strong links in 2025, Ahrefs will make your job 10 times easier.
Why Use Ahrefs for Link Building
There are many SEO tools out there. But when it comes to backlinks, Ahrefs is one of the best.
Here is why people love it:
- You can see who links to your site
- You can spy on your competitors
- You can find content that brings the most links
- You can discover easy link building chances
- You can track your link growth over time
Ahrefs gives you the full picture. It is fast, easy to use, and packed with smart features.
If you want to grow your traffic with quality links in 2025, Ahrefs will save you time and effort.
Now let us go step by step and learn how to use it the right way.
Ahrefs Link Building: Step by Step Guide
Here is the step by step Ahrefs link building guide to help you find high-quality backlinks:
Step 1: Understand the Dashboard
When you first log into Ahrefs, you will see a dashboard.
Here you can:
- Add websites to track
- See recent updates
- Check your top-performing pages
But do not spend too much time here. Let us jump to the real action.
Step 2: Use Site Explorer to Spy on Competitors
This is where the magic begins.
Site Explorer lets you check any website. Your own. Your competitor’s. Even big sites like Apple or Nike.
What to do:
- Go to Site Explorer
- Type a competitor’s website (like yourcompetitor.com)
- Hit search
Now, you will see many tabs.
Focus on these three first:
- Backlinks
- Referring domains
- Top pages
Let us go one by one.
Step 3: Check Their Backlinks
Click on the Backlinks tab.
You will now see all the websites that link to your competitor.
What to look for:
- Which articles are linking
- What anchor text is used
- How many links come from each site
This is a goldmine. You can use this to plan your own strategy.
Step 4: Find Link Opportunities (And Steal Them)
Now that you have a list of their backlinks, it is time to use it.
Look for:
- Blogs that accept guest posts
- Resource pages
- Listicles where your competitor is mentioned
Let us say you find a blog post that links to your competitor.
You can reach out and say:
Hey, I found your post on top tools for 2025. I just launched a similar tool and thought it might be a good fit for your readers. Happy to share a short intro if you are open to adding it.
Keep it short and nice.
Step 5: Use the Content Explorer
This is one of the best features in Ahrefs.
Go to Content Explorer.
Type a topic like email marketing tools or best CRMs in 2025.
You will see hundreds of blog posts.
Now look for:
- High-authority blogs
- Posts with backlinks
- Topics you can improve
This is perfect for the Skyscraper Technique.
Step 6: Apply the Skyscraper Technique
This is simple.
- Find a post that has lots of backlinks
- Make a better version of that post
- Reach out to sites linking to the old one
Example:
- You find a post: Top 10 SEO Tools in 2024 with 100 backlinks
- You create: Top 20 SEO Tools in 2025 (make it deeper and more updated)
- Use Ahrefs to find all sites linking to the old post
- Reach out and suggest your updated version
Most people do not update their old content. This is your chance.
Step 7: Use Link Intersect
Go to Link Intersect in Ahrefs.
This tool shows sites that link to your competitors but not to you.
What to do:
- Add 2-3 competitor websites
- Add your own site in the “But does not link to” field
- Hit search
You will see a list of websites.
These sites already link to others in your niche. So they might be open to linking to you too.
This is a smart way to find high-quality leads.
Step 8: Monitor New Backlinks
Go to your own website in Site Explorer.
Click on the Backlinks tab.
Now filter by New.
You will see new links that you got.
This helps you track:
- Which outreach worked
- Which content is attracting links
Also check the Lost tab to see if you lost any links recently.
If you lost a good one, reach out and try to get it back.
Step 9: Use Alerts
Ahrefs lets you set up alerts.
You can get emails when:
- Someone links to you
- Someone links to your competitors
- A keyword moves up or down
Go to Alerts and set them up.
This helps you stay updated without checking every day.
Step 10: Export and Organize Your Data
Once you have a list of backlink opportunities, export them.
Make a sheet like this:
| Website | Page | Contact Email | Type | Status |
| example.com | /tools-2025 | contact@example.com | Guest Post | Sent |
Track your progress.
This helps you stay organized. Especially when doing outreach to 50+ sites.
Step 11: Do Manual Outreach
Do not use mass email tools. Do it by hand.
Each message should feel personal.
Tips:
- Use their name
- Mention their article
- Say why your content is a good fit
- Be kind and not pushy
If they do not reply, follow up after 4-5 days. Just once.
Step 12: Build Real Relationships
This matters a lot in 2025.
Link building is not just cold emails.
You should:
- Comment on their blog
- Share their content on X or LinkedIn
- Reply to their emails with thanks
- Stay in touch
These things build trust.
Next time you ask for a link, it will be easier.
Step 13: Avoid Spammy Tactics
Please do not:
- Buy low-quality links
- Spam forums
- Use link farms
Google is smarter now. These tricks do not work anymore.
Stick with clean, real link building.
Ahrefs helps you do it the right way.
Step 14: Track Keyword Rankings
Backlinks help your rankings. So you should also track them.
Go to Rank Tracker in Ahrefs.
Add your website and some keywords.
This will show:
- How your rankings change over time
- Which links helped you rank higher
- What needs more work
Link building is not just getting links. It is about results.
Step 15: Repeat and Improve
Link building never ends.
You should:
- Keep finding new opportunities
- Keep creating better content
- Keep reaching out
Every month, review what worked and what did not.
Update your list. Try new ideas. Make small changes.
In 2025, smart link building is not about doing more. It is about doing better.
Bonus Tips for 2025
Want to level up your link building with Ahrefs in 2025? Here are some extra tips that actually make a difference:
- Use filters smartly. Narrow down results by selecting only dofollow links, setting a minimum DR (like 30+), or excluding spammy domains. It saves you a ton of time.
- Do not chase too many links. Focus on fewer, high-quality ones that actually bring value and traffic.
- Promote your content while building links. Share your blogs, guides, or case studies in relevant spaces online.
- Be active in your niche community. Join forums, Facebook groups, or Slack channels. It opens doors for natural backlinks.
- Build stuff that people want to link to—like free tools, ready-to-use templates, or fresh data-driven insights.
These small steps can boost your strategy and help you stay ahead of others doing basic outreach.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a great tool like Ahrefs, you can still mess things up if you are not careful.
Here are some mistakes people often make:
- Chasing too many links
Do not go after every site. Focus on quality, not quantity. - Ignoring link quality
A link from a spammy site can do more harm than good. Always check the site’s traffic and content. - Using the same outreach email for everyone
Copy-paste emails do not work. People can tell when it is not personal. - Not tracking your efforts
If you do not track what you sent and to whom, you will get lost fast. - Forgetting to follow up
Sometimes people miss your email. A gentle follow-up can make all the difference. - Giving up too soon
Link building takes time. Be patient and keep improving your approach.
Avoiding these simple mistakes can save you a lot of time and help you get better results.
Final Thoughts
Ahrefs is not hard to use once you understand the flow.
Start simple.
- Spy on competitors
- Steal their best links (in a smart way)
- Reach out with kindness
- Build long-term connections
You do not need 1000 links.
Even 10 great ones can make a big difference.
Use this guide, take action, and keep going.
You are now ready to master Ahrefs link building in 2025 – step by step.
