What count as irrelevant links?
-
I recently had a link audit done for a client selling mechanical parts. This client supplies to the mining and construction industries. The link audit showed all links on mining or construction sites as irrelevant.
When I questioned about it, they explained that my client is in the mechanical parts industry and therefor Google would penalize me as those count as irrelevant links.
I don't agree, but need an expert opinion. Can anyone help?
-
Thank You for all the Responses. It is good to know that I am on the right track!
-
That sounds like the textbook definition of a Relevant Link. Client makes mechanical parts, sells to mining & construction industry, links to/from mining & construction industry... not sure what would make that irrelevant. Google won't penalize you for those.
-
I agree with Devanur.
it is very difficult to define relevancy for links as you can always link to industries less related to your core business but still relevant.
Also, when you naturally get links, you can't control where those links come from and unless they are from dodgy sites, very low quality sites, you won't spend too much time in dealing with them (especially if the number is not too high)
I do think that Google doesn't penalize you for having those links as they are still relevant for your business in some way.
-
This is not really irrelevant... I mean I have a website that dedicated offer SEO service, and I have few links coming from good web design websites and this is not irrelevant because somehow there is a connection!
Similarly, here the links that are pointing to the website have some connection... I mean if the websites that are link back to your website have a bad health, then you must stay away from their links but saying that the links are simply irrelevant is not true!
-
Hi, I don't think those are irrelevant links as the niche that the client operates in is somehow (the client's product is used or consumed by mining or construction industries) connected to these industries. Having that said, there is no clear line that can be drawn to define relevancy while doing link building. However, if you have a website about computer software and you fetch links from a porn website is something apparently irrelevant. Coming to the current case, I do not think there is anything that should be frowned upon and that you should be worried about. Just my two cents.
Best regards,
Devanur Rafi.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Disavowing Links
I need some advice... I've noticed our link profile has increased with many comments links --- something I certainly have not pursued manually. I'm new to disavowing links. However, before I go ahead and disavow them, I'd like to ask how harmful these links are and would you recommend this is something I can do myself (relatively novice SEO) or if you'd recommend someone who could do this for a reasonable cost. In one instance, the link from this comment thread is with the anchor text, "porn"... Certainly not something we want to rank for, haha! I look forward to your advice
Link Building | | LukeBTDT0 -
Should I ask sites that link to me to update links that redirect?
I have found some links to my site that go through a single 301 redirect to get to my site. Should I contact these websites to ask them to update the link, or is that not worth the time?
Link Building | | RCF0 -
Does Google Groups and Google Community links count?
Hello Everyone. I noticed when I added a few links from Google Groups and Google Communities. It has a do follow? Does that mean it help your SERPS? Thanks for you help?
Link Building | | EVERWORLD.ENTERTAIMENT0 -
Why aren't my blog links counting?
In our blog posts, we frequently include links to our product pages on our official site. However, the blog root domain is not showing up on Open Site Explorer for any of these product pages. In other words, why isn't Google counting our blog as a unique root domain? If it helps, here is the link to the blog: http://jampaper.wordpress.com/ Thanks for your help!
Link Building | | jampaper0 -
Footer Link Issue
Hi, I run Web Design Business, I got Links from 1000 Domain "Powered by xyz" pointing to my domain (Footer Link) Footer Links Are Not (Inherently) Bad ? Footer Link may Hurt my Site?
Link Building | | srinathk0 -
Value of Inbound Links to Pages With a lot of Outbound Links
Suppose you have a resource page of the Top 50 Awesome Sites in your niche. Since there are about 50 outbound links, then I would think there will be less Page Rank being passed to internal pages from internal links on the resource page. Since you are getting less PR passed to internal pages, are there other ways the inbound links can be beneficial, such as increasing the diversity of links of your domain? Sites like SEO Optimise seem to create a lot of Top 30 Resources lists and I have read that they think it is a strong tactic.
Link Building | | SparkplugDigital0 -
Link Directory
I am not an SEO expert by any means, just trying to improve the ranking of my own personal real estate site. Are directory links good for backlinks, or are they a waster of time?
Link Building | | CalgaryRealtor390