Constructing backlinks (hyperlinks from different websites to yours) has lengthy been probably the most efficient methods to enhance your authority and search engine optimisation efficiency.
Because it seems, backlinks are additionally vital for AI search engine optimisation. Our latest research confirmed that domains with high-quality backlink profiles are a lot extra seen in AI-generated responses.
In brief, backlinks matter as a lot as ever. And whereas getting them takes time, the suitable instruments allow you to uncover alternatives sooner, handle outreach extra effectively, and monitor your progress in a single place.
On this information, we examined seven of the very best hyperlink constructing instruments for 2026 to see which ship essentially the most worth for various targets and budgets.
Right here’s our listing of the very best hyperlink constructing instruments:
|
Device |
Greatest for |
Pricing |
|
Simply recognizing competitor backlinks you possibly can replicate |
A part of the search engine optimisation Toolkit that begins at $139.95/month |
|
|
Managing the whole outreach course of in a single place |
A part of the search engine optimisation Toolkit that begins at $139.95/month |
|
|
Massive outreach groups and companies that must coordinate a number of campaigns |
Begins at $24/month |
|
|
Discovering and verifying correct e mail addresses |
Begins at $49/month |
|
|
Pitching knowledgeable insights via a user-friendly Q&A dashboard |
Begins at $19/month |
|
|
Learners or small groups who need free entry to journalist queries to construct backlinks |
Free |
|
|
Monitoring new backlinks and monitoring your backlink profile progress |
A part of the search engine optimisation Toolkit that begins at $139.95/month |
1. Backlink Hole
Greatest for: Simply recognizing competitor backlinks you don’t have and turning them into outreach alternatives
Semrush’s Backlink Hole instrument helps you notice hyperlink constructing alternatives by evaluating your hyperlink profile to these of as much as 4 rivals.
In a 15-minute check, I discovered 22 high-potential hyperlink constructing prospects.
I regarded for one kind of article: instrument round-up listicles that function different instruments, however not the “you” area.
Go to Backlink Hole. Enter all 5 domains, then click on “Discover prospects.”
You’ll see this lengthy listing of internet sites linking to your rivals however to not you.
To see the pages that hyperlink to a competitor, click on on one of many numbers that has an arrow subsequent to it. And right here it’s: a instrument round-up!
I spent 10 minutes going via this listing and located 22 web sites which have instrument listicles that hyperlink to the “you” area’s rivals.
To avoid wasting the prospects you wish to contact, choose every and click on “+ Begin outreach.”
Choose the venture. In case you don’t have a venture, choose “Create new venture” and the instrument will stroll you thru the setup course of. Evaluation the listing, then click on “Ship prospects.”
This motion will save your prospects within the Hyperlink Constructing Device, which we’ll present you within the subsequent part.
Your file might be downloaded, and you’ll import it into your outreach instrument of selection.
What I Like About Backlink Hole
Right here’s what I like:
- Missed alternatives which might be straightforward to search out: Backlink Hole makes it straightforward to search out web sites that hyperlink to 4 of your rivals. These web sites usually tend to hyperlink to you, too. Making them nice alternatives for hyperlink constructing.
- Integration with the Hyperlink Constructing Device: Backlink Hole hurries up the outreach course of by permitting you to shortly ship prospects to the Hyperlink Constructing Device
Backlink Hole is quick and intuitive for surfacing missed backlink alternatives. You’ll nonetheless wish to manually vet every website for high quality and relevance, however it streamlines the invention course of.
Pricing
You can begin utilizing Backlink Hole at no cost. The variety of outcomes you’ll be capable of see might be restricted, although.
To unlock the complete model of Backlink Hole, go for one in every of Semrush’s paid plans:
- Professional ($139.95/month)
- Guru ($249.95/month)
- Enterprise ($499.95/month)
2. Hyperlink Constructing Device
Greatest for: Managing the whole outreach course of in a single place
Semrush’s Hyperlink Constructing Device lets you discover prospects based mostly in your goal key phrases and rivals, begin outreach immediately from the platform, and hold monitor of your campaigns.
On this check, I checked out an inventory of prospects that Backlink Hole discovered to see what the dashboard for sending out emails was like.
Go to the Hyperlink Constructing Device, and choose “Prospects” from the menu on the prime.
Analyze the listing of prospects, and if you resolve they’re value reaching out to, click on “To In Progress” in the identical row because the prospect.
Click on “In Progress” to view the chosen prospects and begin outreach.
Then, click on “Contact” within the “E mail” column of the web site you wish to ship an e mail to.
Subsequent:
- Join your mailbox by clicking “+ Add mailbox”
- Enter the prospect’s e mail deal with
- Customise the topic line and e mail physique
By clicking “Observe-up,” you possibly can add a follow-up e mail and create a sequence.
What I Like Concerning the Hyperlink Constructing Device
Right here’s what I like:
- Straightforward integration with Backlink Hole: Sending prospects from one instrument to a different was clean, and I like that I can begin outreach with out having to go away the platform
- Sending e mail sequences from the platform: With the ability to create follow-up sequences and ship them from the instrument saves time in comparison with doing all the things out of your e mail inbox
Semrush’s link-building ecosystem is well-connected. You possibly can transfer prospects straight from Backlink Hole into outreach. The interface does take a while to study, however when you’re arrange, it saves hours of guide coordination.
Pricing
You should use the Hyperlink Constructing Device at no cost for one venture. If you wish to use it for a number of initiatives, you’ll must go for one in every of Semrush’s paid plans:
- Professional ($139.95/month)
- Guru ($249.95/month)
- Enterprise ($499.95/month)
3. BuzzStream
Greatest for: Massive outreach and public relations (PR) groups and companies that must coordinate campaigns, contacts, and communication historical past
BuzzStream is a platform that PR and hyperlink constructing groups use to maintain monitor of their campaigns and media contacts in a single place. It could additionally discover prospects’ contact info and lets you create e mail sequences.
I used to make use of this instrument each day a number of years again. So I’ve run a fast check to see it in motion in 2025.
I arrange one venture, imported a number of prospects, checked the standard of contact info the instrument sourced, and had a glance across the prospect playing cards.
To import contacts, you possibly can paste an inventory of URLs or import from a CSV file. Then, click on “Add Web sites.”
You’ll see your prospects in an inventory like this one:
In case you hover over the purple bins within the “Recipient” or “Found Contacts” columns, you’ll see an inventory of contact info the instrument discovered for you.
While you’re prepared to begin outreach, click on on the identify of the web site, and its devoted card will seem.
Right here, you possibly can add notes on your crew, ship emails, add hyperlinks you bought from them, and extra.
That is the place I ended my check, after which I concluded that the platform nonetheless works equally to a couple years in the past.
To get essentially the most out of this instrument, I would wish to launch a number of campaigns from it and collaborate with a crew. So my check is a bit restricted right here, however I’m going to share the insights I gathered from utilizing it some time again.
What I Like About BuzzStream
Right here’s what I like:
- Massive PR/outreach crew collaboration: BuzzStream is nice for giant outreach/public relations groups that launch a number of campaigns at a single time, and doubtlessly have overlapping contacts and prospects. It ensures everybody’s on the identical web page and prevents you from duplicating communication with a single lead. Plus, you possibly can see the communication historical past your group had with every media outlet.
- E mail automation and sequences: BuzzStream lets you create automated e mail sequences that may be triggered by prospects’ actions. For instance, you possibly can configure follow-up emails. But when the prospect responds, the sequence is robotically paused.
BuzzStream doesn’t all the time discover the very best contact info. Generally, you continue to must search for contact info by yourself or use a further instrument (like Hunter, which we’ll cowl later within the article).
Pricing
On the time of writing this text, BuzzStream gives 4 plans:
- Starter ($24/month)
- Development ($124/month)
- Skilled ($299/month)
- Customized (beginning at $999/month)
All plans, besides Customized, have a 14-day free trial.
4. Hunter
Greatest for: Discovering and verifying correct e mail addresses on your outreach campaigns
Hunter is an e mail outreach platform that lets you discover prospects, uncover or confirm their contact info, and launch outreach campaigns.
I ran a 10-minute check of the platform to verify how efficient it’s to find prospects’ contact info. The check consisted of discovering one particular individual’s e mail deal with and verifying one other e mail deal with I discovered on-line.
Of their Finder instrument, I entered the area and clicked on it within the drop-down menu.
The instrument discovered 638 e mail addresses, listed with names and job titles. Like this:
In case you’re searching for a particular individual’s contact info, enter their identify within the search bar. If Hunter has their info of their database, the instrument will show:
- Their e mail deal with
- Their place on the firm
- A hyperlink to their LinkedIn profile
- A listing of the net sources the place the instrument discovered the e-mail deal with
Like this:
Then, I used Hunter’s E mail Verifier to confirm whether or not an e mail deal with I discovered elsewhere exists.
And right here’s how Hunter verified that this e mail deal with exists:
What I Like About Hunter
Right here’s what I like:
- Skill to search out prospects’ contact info: Hunter makes it straightforward to search out the contact info of the individual you wish to contact
- E mail verification: Verifying e mail addresses allows you to verify if an e mail that bounced is brought on by a defective e mail deal with
Hunter offers you fast entry to verified contact information, however outreach nonetheless requires care. At all times verify that the recipient publicly shares their e mail for inquiries, and adjust to GDPR or CAN-SPAM guidelines to keep away from deliverability or privateness points.
It’s greatest to verify the sources the place Hunter discovered info to see if this individual is OK with receiving outreach emails. Right here’s an instance the place the journalist’s profile web page shares her e mail deal with and states: “If in case you have a narrative concept or a tip, you possibly can e mail her at …”
Pricing
On the time of writing this text, Hunter gives 4 plans:
- Free
- Starter ($49/month)
- Development ($149/month)
- Scale ($299/month)
Hunter additionally has the choice to create a customized plan.
5. Featured
Greatest for: Pitching knowledgeable insights to writers and journalists via a user-friendly Q&A dashboard
Featured (previously Terkel) is a platform that lists out queries and questions from journalists and content material writers, intending to attach them with material specialists. Like this:
Aspect notice: In April 2025, Featured acquired and revived HARO (Assist a Reporter Out). We’ll cowl HARO within the subsequent part, however it’s value noting that through the use of Featured, you get early entry to HARO requests (even on their free plans).
Final time I used their platform was in April 2023, once I acquired 19 hyperlinks out of 73 submitted pitches.
For this check, I’m going to be exploring their free plan to see how the platform has advanced.
I submitted one reply via the platform, and right here’s the way it went.
I discovered that Featured continues to be fairly straightforward to make use of. You undergo the listing of questions, skip irrelevant ones, and save those you wish to reply.
Then, if you’re able to pitch inside Featured, clicking “Reply” will open up a field the place you possibly can add your reply:
When you click on submit, the request might be despatched to the Featured crew for evaluation. They may choose the very best reply and ahead it to the writer. And you’ll monitor the standing of your pitches of their “In Evaluation” tab.
What I Like About Featured
Right here’s what I like:
- “Questions” dashboard: It hurries up the method of choosing and answering questions. Compared to different pitching platforms, this can be a main benefit.
- Large identify publications: Featured works with journalists and writers from some main publications like BBC, New York Put up, Forbes, Enterprise Insider, and extra, which supplies you alternatives to pitch and be featured in them.
One trade-off of Featured is that it doesn’t permit you direct contact with the publishers. This could impression your means to ascertain relationships with journalists and content material writers, which often results in extra options and hyperlinks sooner or later.
Featured works greatest for skilled PR or search engine optimisation groups that already perceive learn how to craft sturdy pitches. Learners might battle to get constant placements, and the free plan’s three-answer restrict can really feel restrictive till you’ve refined your pitching technique.
Pricing
On the time of writing this text, Featured gives 4 plans:
- Free
- Lite ($19/month)
- Professional ($49/month)
- Enterprise ($99/month)
6. Assist a Reporter Out (HARO)
Greatest for: Learners or small groups who need free entry to journalist queries to construct backlinks
Assist a Reporter Out (HARO) is a free instrument (owned by Featured) that connects journalists and content material writers with material specialists by way of e mail.
I signed up for HARO and submitted one pitch via their platform to point out you the way it works.
First, I signed up on HARO’s web site to get entry to the e-mail alerts. Then, I began receiving digests thrice every day with queries grouped into classes.
After clicking on the question, I may see extra particulars in regards to the request, publication, and the journalist.
When you’re able to pitch, click on on the anonymized e mail deal with, write your pitch, and click on “Ship.”
What I Like About HARO:
Right here’s what I like:
- Affordability: HARO is free, and you’ll submit limitless solutions via it. This makes it a terrific possibility for people who’re simply beginning and might’t put money into platforms like Featured.
- Entry to the writer: Although the platform anonymizes journalists’ addresses, you’re nonetheless getting extra direct entry (in comparison with Featured) to them. They’ll obtain your pitch and phone info. And even when they don’t use your reply for this story, they could use it for one more or contact you sooner or later for related alternatives.
One factor to notice is that the e-mail system HARO makes use of is kind of outdated. This makes it troublesome to maintain monitor of chosen queries and pitches you despatched. To make it work at scale, you’ll must create a monitoring system (e.g., in a Google Sheet or a Trello board).
HARO is a strong possibility for small groups or people simply beginning with hyperlink constructing. It’s free and nice for studying learn how to pitch journalists.
Pricing
On the time of writing this text, HARO is free to make use of.
7. Backlink Analytics
Greatest for: Monitoring new backlinks and monitoring your backlink profile progress over time
Semrush’s Backlink Analytics lets you research your and your rivals’ backlink profiles to search out new hyperlinks and alternatives.
I examined the instrument to see if I may discover hyperlinks from an organization’s latest PR marketing campaign.
To observe the hyperlinks you get throughout outreach campaigns, go to Backlink Analytics, enter your area, and click on “Analyze.”
Click on “Referring Domains” > “New.”
Then look via the listing to search out domains you latterly reached out to.
As soon as you discover them, click on the quantity within the “Backlinks” column to view the supply web page and the goal URL in your website.
What I Like About Backlink Analytics
Right here’s what I like:
- Fast to search out backlinks: Semrush shortly finds backlinks, permitting you to carefully monitor the outcomes of your outreach campaigns
- Historic developments: You possibly can monitor how your backlink profile grows (or declines) over time, which is helpful for recognizing spikes or sudden losses
Backlink Analytics is a dependable option to monitor the outcomes of your hyperlink constructing campaigns and monitor new mentions as they seem. It’s particularly helpful for seeing whether or not latest outreach efforts are paying off, although bigger websites might must filter out low-value hyperlinks to maintain information manageable.
Pricing
You can begin utilizing Backlink Analytics at no cost. However the variety of backlinks you’ll see might be restricted to 10 hyperlinks.
To unlock the complete model of Backlink Hole, you possibly can go for one in every of Semrush’s paid plans:
- Professional ($139.95/month)
- Guru ($249.95/month)
- Enterprise ($499.95/month)
Combine Hyperlink Constructing Into Your search engine optimisation Processes
Hyperlink constructing takes constant effort, however the suitable instruments make it measurable and repeatable.
Semrush brings discovery, outreach, and monitoring collectively in a single platform, so you possibly can spend much less time managing spreadsheets and extra time incomes outcomes.
Join Semrush’s free plan at this time and get entry to:
