Block 1 - Initialize "items" field
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Track broken backlinks with DataForSEO, log to Google Sheets, and create Asana tasks
Workflow preview
100%
$20/month : Unlimited workflows
2500 executions/month
THE #1 IN WEB SCRAPING
Scrape any website without limits
HOSTINGER 
Early Deal
DISCOUNT 20% Try free
Early DealDISCOUNT 20%
Self-hosted n8n
Unlimited workflows - from $4.99/mo
#1 hub for scraping, AI & automation
6000+ actors - $5 credits/mo
1. Workflow Overview
With this n8n automation, you no longer have to manually dig through backlink reports to find broken li...
Best for
- Market Research automation workflows
- advanced n8n builders looking for reusable templates
Tools used
n8n-nodes-base.set, n8n-nodes-base.if, n8n-nodes-base.filter, n8n-nodes-base.googlesheets, n8n-nodes-base.splitout, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-dataforseo.dataforseobacklinksapi, n8n-nodes-base.asana
Source and attribution
This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by DataForSEO.
Original n8n.io source1.1 Workflow description
- Title
- Track broken backlinks with DataForSEO, log to Google Sheets, and create Asana tasks
- Workflow name
- Track broken backlinks with DataForSEO, log to Google Sheets, and create Asana tasks
With this n8n automation, you no longer have to manually dig through backlink reports to find broken links. The workflow automatically retrieves them with the DataForSEO Backlinks API and generates a structured Google Sheets report. In addition to the backlink, each entry includes essential metrics such as the referring page URL, referring domain, target URL, anchor text, domain rank (DR), spam score, and dofollow/nofollow status. This gives you full context about the quality and impact of each broken link.
When new broken backlinks are detected, the workflow also creates an Asana task with all relevant details included, helping you quickly investigate the issue, restore the page, or implement redirects.
Who’s it for
This workflow is ideal for SEOs, link-building specialists, and website owners who want to maintain a healthy backlink profile and prevent ranking drops caused by broken pages or incorrect redirects.
What it does
The workflow automatically detects broken backlinks and generates a structured Google Sheets report to help you identify and fix link-related issues before they negatively impact your SEO performance.
How it works
Triggers automatically according to the set schedule.
Pulls recently detected broken backlinks using the DataForSEO Backlinks API.
Creates or updates a Google Sheets report with the latest link data.
Creates a relevant Asana task.
Requirements
- DataForSEO account and API credentials
- Google Sheets connection in n8n
- Asana account and connection in n8n
Customization
You can easily customize this workflow by monitoring specific URLs instead of the entire domain, adjusting how many backlinks are analyzed per run, adding additional metrics to your report, storing reports in other tools, integrating with project management platforms, or changing the execution frequency.
1.2 Logical Blocks
This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.
2. Block-by-Block Analysis
Block 2 - Merge "items" with DFS response
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Block 3 - Has more pages?
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.if - if
- Config choices
- Version 2.3
Block 4 - Filter (has new backlinks)
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.filter - filter
- Config choices
- Version 2.3
Block 5 - Append columns
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
- Config choices
- Version 4.7
Block 6 - Set final "items" field
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Block 7 - Split out items
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.splitOut - splitOut
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 8 - Sticky Note1
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 9 - Sticky Note6
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 10 - Get lost backlinks
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-dataforseo.dataForSeoBacklinksApi - dataForSeoBacklinksApi
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 11 - Set "items" field
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Block 12 - Create spreadsheet
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
- Config choices
- Version 4.7
Block 13 - Append row in sheet
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.googleSheets - googleSheets
- Config choices
- Version 4.7
Block 14 - Create a task
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.asana - asana
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 15 - Aggregate
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.aggregate - aggregate
- Config choices
- Version 1
Block 16 - Prepare columns for Google Sheets
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Block 17 - Prepare data for Google Sheets
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.set - set
- Config choices
- Version 3.4
Block 18 - Schedule Trigger
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.scheduleTrigger - scheduleTrigger
- Config choices
- Version 1.3
Block 19 - Sticky Note
- Type / Role
- n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
- Config choices
- Version 1
3. Summary Table
| Workflow | Track broken backlinks with DataForSEO, log to Google Sheets, and create Asana tasks |
|---|---|
| Complexity | advanced |
| Nodes | 19 |
| Categories | Market Research |
| Author | DataForSEO |
| Published | 25 Feb 2026 |
4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch
-
1. Download the workflow JSON
Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/13689/13689.json as the source template for this automation.
-
2. Import the template into n8n
Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.
-
3. Configure credentials and variables
Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.
-
4. Test with sample data
Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.
-
5. Activate and monitor
Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.
5. General Notes & Resources
Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.
Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.
Frequently asked questions
What does Track broken backlinks with DataForSEO, log to Google Sheets, and create Asana tasks do?
With this n8n automation, you no longer have to manually dig through backlink reports to find broken li...
What do I need before importing this workflow?
Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.
Can I customize this workflow?
Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Market Research use case.