Link Explorer from Moz is a link building utility, replacing the former Open Site Explorer. Moz describes Link Explorer as a highly accurate link tool that lets users check the backlink profile and Domain Authority of any site.
Moz was acquired by iContact in June, 2021.
$99
per month
Semrush
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
Semrush is a relatively popular search engine optimization tool set from the company of the same name based in Pennsylvania and founded in 2008. Largely the platforms relies on competitive intelligence, and features SEO staples like backlink checking, keyword analysis to refine SEO and PPC campaigning and locate low-cost / high-yield keywords, analysis of competitors who co-occupy desired ad and listing spaces, domain vs. domain analysis, as well as site audit and domain tracking.
Semrush can…
$139.95
per month
Pricing
Moz Link Explorer
Semrush
Editions & Modules
Moz Pro
$99
per month
Moz Link Explorer
Free
Pro
$139.95
per month
Guru
$249.95
per month
Business
$499.95
per month
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Moz Link Explorer
Semrush
Free Trial
No
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
Yes
Yes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
No
No
Entry-level Setup Fee
No setup fee
Optional
Additional Details
—
17% discount for annual pricing.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Moz Link Explorer
Semrush
Considered Both Products
Moz Link Explorer
Verified User
Professional
Chose Moz Link Explorer
I think Moz Link Explorer is a great add-on to the overall Moz tool, but compared to Ahrefs, it’s not as robust because Ahrefs' main focus is on the backlink profile. I like SEMRush’s function of being able to reach out to websites directly from the platform and track all of …
For me, Semrush has a good UX and is a trustworthy source of organic traffic data. When compared to other tools, they sometimes could be pretty much off when I observe data in Google Search Console and Google Analytics. That's why I think Semrush does a pretty good job for any …
I have some experience using Ahrefs and Moz, but I find the interface to be more user-friendly in Semrush. This is particularly useful when we show clients the tool or take screenshots directly from Semrush for client-facing documents.
[Semrush] is a better overall tool for SEO management. It has so many different tools that you can use. Moz doesn't offer everything, but has its own benefits, which are more focused around serps and keywords. Ahrefs is particularly good when working with backlinks. Much …
Semrush is the widest-reaching tool with the most features, however, I find the keyword and SERP reliability can be a little off fairly often, especially when algorithm updates are concerned. Generally, though the tool is the best all-rounder and offers the widest breadth of …
Features
Moz Link Explorer
Semrush
SEO
Comparison of SEO features of Product A and Product B
Moz Link Explorer
8.1
8 Ratings
5% above category average
Semrush
7.9
154 Ratings
2% above category average
Keyword analysis
8.35 Ratings
8.7154 Ratings
Backlink management
9.07 Ratings
8.2147 Ratings
SERP ranking tracking
8.36 Ratings
8.2150 Ratings
Page grader
7.55 Ratings
7.5129 Ratings
Competitive analysis
9.08 Ratings
8.5149 Ratings
Site audit / diagnostics
8.56 Ratings
8.0150 Ratings
Site recommendations
8.05 Ratings
7.5139 Ratings
Task management
5.96 Ratings
6.691 Ratings
SEO Channels
Comparison of SEO Channels features of Product A and Product B
Moz Link Explorer
7.4
7 Ratings
3% below category average
Semrush
8.1
140 Ratings
6% above category average
Local SEO
8.36 Ratings
8.1128 Ratings
Social SEO
7.55 Ratings
8.0106 Ratings
Mobile SEO
7.55 Ratings
8.2113 Ratings
Global SEO
6.54 Ratings
8.2114 Ratings
SEO Platform & Account Management
Comparison of SEO Platform & Account Management features of Product A and Product B
It is helpful if you are trying to understand where a site stands in terms of the links coming to it from different websites. It is less helpful in terms of providing specific actions or steps to take to get more links. However, it is a part of a larger Moz package so other areas provide information that can help there.
This is suited to plan for keywords in a single market, but it struggles when you need to consolidate several markets. It is well-suited to discover new keywords directly related to the ones being used currently to expand the content the company is creating to get better results.
Moz Link Explorer has a straightforward and easy to use interface. It’s very simple to navigate and understand the data.
The anchor text tool gives you an idea of the most widely used anchor texts other websites use when linking to your site. It can raise a red flag when too many sites are linking to you using exact match keyword anchor texts.
You need to subscribe to Moz Pro to get all features, which is pricey if you aren’t using the tool regularly.
I’ve found that competitor tools give larger lists of inbound links.
You’ll need some understanding of how SEO works to maximize the tool. Would non-SEO specialists understand the difference between domain authority and page authority, or the difference between follow back, and non-follow backlinks? Moz offers lots of training resources, but it takes time to learn what you need.
The interface is a little less intuitive than it could be. The data is often available but filtering and manipulating the data can be a little difficult at times. Expanded comparisons would be helpful since most of the time seeing more than a few competitors at a time allows for a better sense of how to forecast.
I put a middling score here because of the difference in support between the free and premium uses. The Free tool was a great service, but there wasn't much support. It was tool that was intended to have a skilled SEO utilize it and save time. The Premium version has great support, but also offered more information so that skilled SEOs and novices alike could benefit from the tool.
I'm in a FB group for Semrush paid users and it amazing! They are fast to respond, take suggestions and help with questions. I have not felt alone in using this product at all. Highly recommend their support team. When I had an issue I can jump into the group and they will help get me the right person to help or even tag their programmers to look at something that is going on. Love the group!
Ahrefs is much more comprehensive than Open Site Explorer. If you are in need of a deep backlink analysis there are better options out there for your money. If you need a quick look at the state of a client's backlink profile than OSE is for you. It will give you the top metrics you are looking for and then some. I find OSE to be more user-friendly than competitors
We have used both Ahrefs and Semrush extensively at our agency and Semrush remains the tool of choice. We find that Semrush has the largest selection of tools & features to use, with the highest accuracy, and provides top-tier analysis recommendations. It's really is the ultimate all-in-one tool when comparing other performance measurement tools in the digital marketing space.
Using Semrush on behalf of our clients, we have seen some impressive growth in organic visibility, traffic, conversion and revenue, across multiple industries.
The site checks available with Semrush have helped us to pitch and sell our services, securing new clients.