# Build backlink prospecting lead lists with Apify: n8n workflow

> Started by another system calling it, and works across Apify and Google Sheets. 14 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-backlink-prospecting-lead-lists-with-apify (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Lead generation](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Lead+generation#library)

# Build backlink prospecting lead lists with Apify

Started by another system calling it, and works across Apify and Google Sheets. 14 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-backlink-prospecting-lead-lists-with-apify)

**14 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 3 Logic 1 Service 10

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Manual Trigger Execution** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Scheduled Monthly Trigger** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Webhook POST Handler** Webhook *Starts it*
- 4 **Read Blacklist Domains** Google Sheets *Service*
- 5 **Read Queries from Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 6 **Retrieve Last Run Status** Apify *Service*
- 7 **Format Queries and Domains** Code *Logic*
- 8 **Fetch Leads from API** Apify *Service*
- 9 **Fetch Domain Leads** Apify *Service*
- 10 **Fetch Batch 1 Data** Apify *Service*
- 11 **Execute Link Prospecting** Apify *Service*
- 12 **Append Leads to Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 13 **Append to Blacklist Domains** Google Sheets *Service*
- 14 **Append to Batch 1 Sheet** Google Sheets *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Another system calling it
- **Steps:** 14
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Apify, Google Sheets
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Apify and Google Sheets accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on another system calling it.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 14 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 14 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-backlink-prospecting-lead-lists-with-apify)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Apify](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Apify#library)[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)

## Workflows like it

Also lead generation, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**# Unified Lead & Support Automation - L0 (Legacy) Free Template** 14 steps · Email, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/unified-lead-and-support-automation-l0-legacy-free-template)
- [**Automate company data enrichment with ZoomInfo and Serper** 14 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-company-data-enrichment-with-zoominfo-and-serper)
- [**Detect churn risk from competitor tech adoption** 14 steps · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/detect-churn-risk-from-competitor-tech-adoption)
- [**Extract business emails from Google Maps** 14 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/extract-business-emails-from-google-maps)
- [**Extract business emails from Google Maps search results** 14 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/extract-business-emails-from-google-maps-search-results)
- [**Generate LinkedIn leads with Google Sheets and Serper API** 14 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-linkedin-leads-with-google-sheets-and-serper-api)