Get backlinks overview for a domain or URL. Target type can be root_domain, domain, or url.
AI agents call backlinks_overview to retrieve information from Semrush MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and queries backlink data from the Semrush API for competitive intelligence purposes. It has no side effects, does not modify data, execute code, delete information, or transfer funds. It is a straightforward read operation analogous to a search or fetch query.
From the tool's definition Tool is described as 'Get backlinks overview' - a retrieval operation that queries existing backlink data without modifying, deleting, or executing actions. It accepts parameters (domain/URL and target type) but returns analytics data only.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access backlinks_overview gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Semrush MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for backlinks_overview:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"backlinks_overview": {}
}
}backlinks_overview is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get backlinks overview for a domain or URL. Target type can be root_domain, domain, or url. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Semrush MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Semrush MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for backlinks_overview: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Semrush MCP Server. Nothing to install.
backlinks_overview is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the backlinks_overview rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for backlinks_overview. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
backlinks_overview is provided by the Semrush MCP Server MCP server (metehan777/semrush-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Semrush MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
7 Semrush MCP Server tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.