SEO SpyGlass Review: Features, Pricing and SEO SpyGlass vs Ahrefs
SEO SpyGlass is a backlink tool from SEO PowerSuite. It helps in backlink audit you audit, spot risky links, and study competitor backlinks.
What Is SEO SpyGlass?
SEO SpyGlass is a link checker and backlink audit tool. It shows your backlink profile and key link details.
SEO SpyGlass and SEO PowerSuite
SEO SpyGlass is part of the SEO PowerSuite toolkit. It is built for backlink analysis and cleanup.
What SEO SpyGlass is used for?
People use it to review backlinks, find toxic links, and build competitor analysis. It fits SEOs who want backlink audits and reports.
What SEO SpyGlass Can Do
It helps you find backlinks, study patterns, and make a clean action list.
Backlink discovery
You can check backlinks for your site or any domain. You can also see link history data.
Referring domains, anchors, and link types
You can sort links by anchor text and other link fields. This helps you spot overuse fast.
Track changes over time
Link profiles change with the passage of time then tracking helps you see new links and lost links.
Competitor backlink research
You can compare sites and find overlap links. This is useful for outreach lists.
Exports and reporting
You can export data for filtering and reporting. This is helpful for client work.
Link Audit and Toxic Link Checks
SpyGlass uses a “Penalty Risk” metric to help flag risky links.
What “Penalty Risk” means in simple words?
It is a risk score for backlinks. It helps you find links that may hurt your site.
Common signs of a risky backlink
A risky link often looks forced. It may come from spam pages or odd link networks. Use the score as a warning, not a final answer. Check the page that links to you, it is real and relevant. Then decide what to do.
Disavow basics and when it makes sense
Disavow is for links you cannot remove. It is not for normal low value links. SpyGlass has an in app disavow file generator.
Competitor Backlink Research with SEO SpyGlass
It can show you domains that link to your competitors. You can turn that into link targets.
Domain comparison
Domain comparison helps you place sites side by side. You can see how their link sources differ.
Link intersection
Link Intersection shows domains linking to them, not you. This is a fast way to find outreach ideas.
Backlink gap ideas you can act on
Look for shared topics in those linking domains. Pitch a better page, a case study, or a guide.
Export a clean outreach target list
Export the list and remove junk domains. Then group targets by topic before outreach.
Reporting and Exports
Reports matter when you work with a team or clients. SpyGlass supports exports and reporting flows.
White label style reports
Use clean sections that show link growth and risk checks. Keep it simple for clients.
CSV exports for filtering
Export to CSV when you want custom filters. This helps with outreach and audits.
Best report sections to include
Include new links, lost links, top anchors, top referring domains, and high risk review.
SEO SpyGlass Free Version vs Paid
The free version is fine for testing. Serious audits need paid access.
What you get for free?
The pricing page says you can try it free for evaluation. Paid plans unlock deeper work.
Free limits you should know
Many sources mention a free cap of about 1,100 backlinks per site in the free edition.
Who should stay on free?
Stay on free if you do one off checks. Also stay on free if your site is small.
Who should upgrade?
Upgrade if you do more audits, need reports and deeper link lists.
SEO SpyGlass vs Ahrefs
Ahrefs is known for a very large link database. SpyGlass is more focused on audits and workflow.
| Feature | Ahrefs | SEO SpyGlass |
| Data Size & Freshness | Very large link database; finds more links, good for deep prospecting | More focused on audits and workflow |
| Link Audit & Toxic Link Workflow | Limited built-in penalty risk support | Includes “Penalty Risk” and disavow support for cleanup |
| Competitor Research Workflow | Faster for big link discovery | Link Intersection for overlap domains |
| Reporting & Exports | Standard reporting | Strong for exports and repeat reports, common in agencies |
| Pricing Fit | Monthly SaaS subscription | Often lower-cost option for many users |
How to Do A Quick Backlink Audit In 15 Minutes
This is a fast audit you can repeat every month.
Step 1: Run a backlink check
Pull your backlink list. Save your project.
Step 2: Sort by referring domains
Look for real sites with real pages. Note your best sources.
Step 3: Scan anchors and link types
Check if anchors look natural. Check dofollow and nofollow balance.
Step 4: Review Penalty Risk
Sort by the highest risk links first. Open the linking pages and judge quality.
Step 5: Export your action list
Make two lists, keep links to build more like this, and other backlinks to remove.
Final Thoughts
SpyGlass is a backlink tool for audits, cleanup, and reports. It helps you spot risky links with Penalty Risk and build disavow files. It also supports competitor overlap research with Link Intersection. Although, Ahrefs is stronger for huge link discovery and freshness. Pick the tool that matches your budget and your daily workflow.
FAQs
Is SEO SpyGlass free?
It has a free version for evaluation, with limits on deeper use.
Is it good for backlink audits?
Yes, it is built for backlink analysis and link risk checks.
Does it find all backlinks?
No tool finds every link. Bigger databases often find more.
Should I disavow links based on Penalty Risk?
Use the score to sort links. Always review first before disavow.
Is Ahrefs better than SEO SpyGlass?
Ahrefs is better for huge link discovery. SpyGlass can be enough for audits and reporting.
Which tool is best for competitor backlinks?
Ahrefs is great for scale. SpyGlass Link Intersection is great for overlap targets.
