Search backlinks on google - how?

the link: operator you may have read about is gone, google removed it in 2017, which is probably the change people mean. there's no way to search backlinks on google itself any more. for your own client's site, search console, links report, is free and the most complete list you'll get. for a competitor, ahrefs' free backlink checker shows a sample, or search "their brand name" -site:theirdomain to find mentions you can then check for links.