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Lukas FalkenbergBerlin · Independent analyst

Proof Stack

Proof Stack

I run this hub to keep myself honest. Every backlink I build or recommend has to pass through a stack of checks — audits, metrics, and raw evidence. This is where I store the methods and data I rely on.

If you're here, you're probably tired of link-building advice that sounds good but falls apart under scrutiny. Me too. So I built this: a living document of what actually works, backed by numbers I can reproduce.

Proof Stack isn't a theory blog. It's a reference. When I audit a site, I pull from these pages. When I decide whether a link is worth chasing, I check these metrics. Everything here is something I've tested or validated myself.

Lukas FalkenbergReviewed by Lukas FalkenbergIndependent link research analyst · Berlin

Key takeaways

  • I audit every backlink opportunity with a consistent, repeatable process — no gut feelings.
  • Metrics like DR, UR, and traffic estimates are useful, but only when you understand their limits.
  • Raw evidence (screenshots, logs, manual checks) beats any third-party tool score.
  • This hub evolves as I find new proof or debunk old assumptions.

Directory

Explore this hub

Backlink AuditKeyword: backlink auditRead →Backlink MonitoringKeyword: backlink monitoringRead →Backlink ProfileKeyword: backlink profileRead →Best Link Building Slack CommunitiesKeyword: best link building slack communitiesRead →Competitor BacklinksKeyword: competitor backlinksRead →High Quality BacklinksKeyword: high quality backlinksRead →Link Building CampaignKeyword: link building campaignRead →Link Building ChallengesKeyword: link building challengesRead →Link Building ReportingKeyword: link building reportingRead →Link ProspectingKeyword: link prospectingRead →

Analysis

How I use this hub

I treat Proof Stack as my personal audit checklist. Before I write a case study or recommend a tactic, I run it through the filters here. Each child page covers a specific type of evidence — from domain authority audits to manual link inspections. I update them when I find new data or catch a flaw in my old reasoning. If you're following along, start with the pages I've marked as foundational, then branch out based on what you're trying to prove.

Analysis

What I skip here

This hub isn't for beginners who want a quick formula. I don't cover basic link-building tactics or SEO 101. I also skip anything I can't verify with my own hands — no hearsay, no vendor claims without my own tests. If a metric or method isn't backed by something I can screenshot or log, it doesn't go in Proof Stack.

Analysis

Start with these

If you're new to Proof Stack, these three pages will give you the foundation. They cover the audits and metrics I trust most.

  • Backlink Audit — My step-by-step process for auditing any site's backlink profile. Starts with raw data, ends with a verdict.
  • Domain Rating (DR) — How I interpret Ahrefs' DR and when I ignore it. Includes my own calibration tests.
  • Manual Link Check — The evidence I collect by hand: screenshots, redirect chains, and content context. This is the proof that tools miss.