Backlink Data APIs
Backlink profiles, referring domains, and anchor data for link analysis.
TL;DR: Top pick: DataForSEO. 6 APIs compared, 1 with a free tier; cheapest published entry $5 month (Moz API). Why →
What is a Backlink Data API?
A Backlink Data API lets developers backlink profiles, referring domains, and anchor data for link analysis over HTTP. The Backlink Data APIs below are compared on pricing, compliance, capabilities, and developer experience from structured, cited data.
| # | API | Pricing | Free | Self-serve | SOC 2 | HIPAA | GDPR | Webhooks | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DataForSEO | Usage | ✗ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✓ | 74 |
| 2 | Ahrefs API | Hybrid | ✗ | ✓ | In progress | · | ✓ | ✗ | 71 |
| 3 | Serpstat API | Subscription | ✗ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | · | 51 |
| 4 | Semrush API | Hybrid | ✗ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | ✗ | 149 |
| 5 | Moz API | Hybrid | ✓ | ✓ | ? | · | · | ✗ | 30 |
| 6 | SE Ranking | Hybrid | ✗ | ✓ | · | · | ✓ | · | 156 |
The APIs
#1 DataForSEO
60 / 100DataForSEO is a usage-based REST API for SEO and digital-marketing data, covering SERPs, keyword research, backlinks, rank tracking, and on-page and content analysis across 94,000+ locations on Google, Bing, YouTube, and more. It is self-serve with transparent pay-per-request pricing from $0.0006 per request plus a $1 signup credit. Integration is REST with basic auth, webhooks, an official MCP server, and four SDKs. The platform is GDPR and ISO 27001 compliant, though no public SLA is offered. Launched 2016.
PricingUsage · from $0.0006 request · free tier ✗TrustGDPR · ISO 27001DoesUsed byThe Links GuyAvoid ifYou want to try it free before paying#2 Ahrefs API
56 / 100Ahrefs API exposes the data behind Ahrefs' SEO toolset for custom integrations: keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking, site audits, and brand visibility across search and AI platforms. It is a REST API with API-key auth and an official MCP server. Pricing is published and self-serve, starting at $449/month as an Ahrefs subscription, with GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance and SOC 2 in progress. Launched 2010.
PricingHybrid · from $449 month · free tier ✗TrustSOC 2 In progress · GDPR · ISO 27001DoesAvoid ifYou want to try it free before paying#3 Serpstat API
58 / 100Serpstat is a cost-focused SEO data API covering keyword research, backlink analysis, rank tracking, site audits, competitor analysis, and SERP crawling across 243 countries. The REST API uses API-key auth, an official MCP server, and five SDKs. Pricing is a published, self-serve subscription from $100/month. It is GDPR compliant. Used by Deloitte, Rakuten, Visa, and Uber.
PricingSubscription · from $100 month · free tier ✗TrustGDPRDoesUsed byDeloitte, Rakuten, Visa, UberAvoid ifYou want to try it free before paying#4 Semrush API
53 / 100Semrush API extracts the platform's SEO and PPC data programmatically, covering organic and paid keywords, competitive analysis, ad history, and local SEO, with an MCP server for AI integration. It is a REST API supporting API-key and OAuth2 auth across 140+ countries. Pricing is published and self-serve, starting around $456/month. It is GDPR and PCI DSS compliant. Used by Samsung, LG, and Disney.
PricingHybrid · from $455.67 month · free tier ✗TrustGDPR · PCI DSSDoesUsed bySamsung, LG, ZoomInfo, DisneyAvoid ifYou want to try it free before paying#5 Moz API
56 / 100Moz API powers custom SEO tools, dashboards, and integrations, with endpoints for keyword research and metrics, backlink and link analysis, competitive and SERP tracking, and brand monitoring. It is a REST API using API-key or basic auth. Pricing is published and self-serve, starting at $5/month with a free tier of 50 rows/month. Used by Content Harmony, iPullRank, and Intero Digital.
PricingHybrid · from $5 month · free tier ✓DoesUsed byContent Harmony, Odys Global, iPullRank, Intero DigitalAvoid ifYou have strict compliance requirements#6 SE Ranking
45 / 100SE Ranking's SEO API automates SEO and GEO workflows: competitor analysis and keyword gaps, AI search visibility, technical site audits, link building, and global market analysis across 188+ country databases. It is a REST API with API-key auth and an official MCP server. Pricing is published and self-serve on a credit model of about $50 per 250,000 credits, with a 14-day, 100,000-credit trial. It is GDPR compliant.
PricingHybrid · from $50 250,000 API credits · free tier ✗TrustGDPRDoesUsed byHigherVisibility, hurra.com, Votre Site ProAvoid ifYou want to try it free before paying