Linking Building: Do I have to beat Linking Root Domains or Total Links?

[BobGW]

Hello,

When skoping for how to beat competitors, do I need to aim to beat the linking root domains number or the total links?

Or do I need to think about both?

Thanks!

[Highland]

My current bet is linking domains, if we're only limited to those 2. Sitewide links seem to be harmful as of late, proving that total links is less valuable.

[BobGW]

I only go for quality links.

Still, I'm sure that one matters more than the other - which is more important if all links are the same quality (high quality):

linking root domains or total links?

[Highland]

Neither.

The aim is to build link popularity and, while number of linking domains contributes to this, it really matters more the quality of the sites giving you the links than the total number. That's a major reason why the Seomoz tool is important: it measures not only the number of links, but the power of those links. At present, however, I wouldn't totally trust the Moz numbers (Penguin has affected this in ways we still don't understand) but that can be a good gauge of where you stand.

Quality beats quantity. That's the gist of Panda and Penguin.