How can I check the number of backlinks to my website?

To check the number of backlinks pointing to your website, you can use various tools and methods. Here are some popular methods:

### 1. **Google Search Console (GSC)**

- **Access**: Sign in to your Google Search Console account.
- **Navigation**: Go to the "Links" section under the "Performance" or "Coverage" report.
- **View Backlinks**: Here, you can see an overview of the backlinks Google has discovered pointing to your site, including the number of linking pages and domains.

### 2. **Third-Party SEO Tools**

- **Ahrefs**: A popular tool for SEO analysis. Enter your domain in the Site Explorer tool to view backlink metrics, including the total number of backlinks, referring domains, and more.
 
- **Moz**: Moz's Link Explorer provides similar data on backlinks and domain authority. Enter your domain to see detailed backlink information.

- **Semrush**: Another comprehensive SEO tool that offers backlink analysis. Enter your domain in the Backlink Analytics tool to see backlink metrics and detailed reports.

### 3. **Backlink Checker Tools**

- **Open Site Explorer**: Provided by Moz, this tool allows you to enter your website's URL and get information on backlinks.

- **Majestic SEO**: Offers a Backlink Checker tool to analyze your backlink profile and provides detailed information about referring domains and pages.

### 4. **Manual Search**

- **Google**: Perform a search using the `link:` operator followed by your website's URL (e.g., `link:https://www.example.com`). This will show you a sample of pages that link to your site according to Google.

### 5. **Bing Webmaster Tools**

- **Access**: Sign in to Bing Webmaster Tools.
- **Inbound Links**: Navigate to the "Inbound Links" section to see a list of websites linking to yours, along with the number of links and pages.

### 6. **Social Media Platforms**

- **LinkedIn**: If your website has been shared or linked to on LinkedIn, you can often see these mentions by searching for your domain in LinkedIn's search bar.

### Tips for Using Backlink Checkers:

- **Accuracy**: Different tools may report slightly different numbers due to their crawling schedules and methods. Use multiple tools for a more comprehensive view.

- **Regular Monitoring**: Check backlinks regularly to monitor changes, new links, and potential issues (e.g., spammy backlinks).

By using these tools and methods, you can effectively monitor the number of backlinks to your website, understand your backlink profile, and make informed decisions to improve your SEO strategy.