How reliable are the external link metrics found in the Open Site Explorer research tool?

[michaeleagar]

I have noticed huge discrepancies with the external link metrics of one of the websites that I have been tracking since the launch of the website.

Shortly after launch I captured a screenshot of the external link metrics to the website to track the progress.  As I look at the same Open Site Explorer metrics now (2 months later) it has increased by 900% which is very inconsistent with the amount of link building done for the client.

Thanks!

[William.Lau]

No links can be tracked 100%. You can use a variety of tools like ahrefs, WMT, majesticSEO, and OSE. You have to check all of these to get a general idea of the links.