SEO Quake
SEOquake is a free browser extension that overlays on-page and SERP SEO metrics, including link data, keyword data, and basic diagnostics, for quick analysis.
The short verdict
- Install SEOquake for quick SERP and on-page checks — it's free and fast.
- Remember: LD = Linking Domains, not Link Density. Don't mix them up.
- Use it as a starting point, then cross-check with a dedicated tool for deeper analysis.
- Don't treat SEOquake metrics as ranking signals — they're diagnostic indicators.
Let me walk you through the practical stuff.
What I'd actually use it for
- Quick competitor SERP scans: Open a search result page, click the SEOquake icon, and see metrics like Page Authority, backlink counts, and keyword density right next to each result.
- On-page diagnostics: Check a page's title tag, meta description, headers, and link structure without digging into source code.
- Basic backlink checks: See L (total links) and LD (linking domains) for any page. Great for a first-pass look at a competitor's link profile.
- Comparing multiple pages: Use the compare feature to stack up 2-3 pages side by side — useful for A/B testing or competitor analysis.
What it's good at
- Speed: It's a browser extension, so no loading a separate tool. Click, see data, move on.
- SERP overlay: Metrics appear directly in Google search results. That's its killer feature for me.
- Simplicity: No learning curve. Install it, and you're looking at data in 30 seconds.
- Free: Zero cost. That's rare for any SEO tool with this level of functionality.
What it's awkward for
- Deep backlink analysis: LD gives you a number, but you can't see which domains, anchor text, or link quality. For that, you need Ahrefs or Semrush.
- Historical data: SEOquake shows current metrics only. No trend lines or change tracking.
- Large-scale audits: It's per-page, not bulk. If you're auditing 500 pages, you'll want a crawler like Screaming Frog.
- Keyword research: It shows keyword density on a page, but not search volume, difficulty, or related terms. That's a separate tool job.
Alternatives I'd consider
- Ahrefs — For serious backlink analysis and keyword research. Paid, but worth it.
- Semrush — All-in-one SEO suite with competitive analysis, keyword tools, and site audits.
- Google Search Console — Free and essential for understanding how Google sees your site. Not a replacement, but a complement.
- MozBar — Similar browser extension from Moz, with their own metrics like Domain Authority.
Next step
Quick answers
Is SEOquake safe to use?
Yes, it's a well-known extension from a reputable developer. It requires permissions to read page data, which is normal for this type of tool.
Does SEOquake work on all search engines?
It works on Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Yandex by default. You can customize which engines to enable.
Can I export data from SEOquake?
Yes, you can export SERP data to CSV. It's handy for quick reporting.
Sources
Primary documentation is linked directly. Anything commercial is marked nofollow.
- SEOquake official website — Primary source for metric definitions and extension features.
- Chrome Web Store - SEOquake — Official listing for extension availability and permissions.
- Google Search Central - Structured Data — Reference for avoiding confusion between LD and JSON-LD.
Notes from Callum Bennett.