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Link Relevancy vs. Link Authority: What’s More Important for SEO?

Link Relevancy vs. Link Authority What’s More Important for SEO

When it comes to building backlinks, you’ve probably heard a lot about link authority and link relevancy. But here’s the thing—many website owners get confused about which one really matters more for their SEO. Is it the authority of the site linking to you? Or is it the relevance of the content on that site?

The truth is, both play a huge role in boosting your rankings. But how do you figure out which one to focus on?

Let’s clear up this confusion and understand the differences between link authority and link relevancy so you can make the best choices for your backlink strategy in 2025.

What is Link Relevancy?

Link relevancy is how related a link is to the content on your website. In other words, it simply means the link is from a website that discusses the same or related subject matter to yours. The most important links are relevant because they indicate to search engines that your content is related to other authoritative sources in your niche.

As Google’s Head of Search, John Mueller, explains:

John Mueller, explains

 

Now that we’ve covered link relevancy let’s look at the other side of the equation—link authority and how it influences your rankings.

What is Link Authority?

Link authority is a metric that measures the credibility and trustworthiness of a website or webpage that links to your content. The higher the authority of the site providing the link, the more valuable it is for your SEO efforts.

Some factors that contribute to link authority include:

  • The quality of the content on the linking site
  • The domain authority metrics of the site (Domain Authority/Domain Rating/Authority Score)
  • The general reputation and credibility of the site within its niche

Simply put, when authoritative websites link to your page, it enhances your SEO by transferring their trust and assisting you in ranking higher.

With a solid grasp of both link authority and link relevancy, let’s now contrast the two and see how each affects your SEO in a different way.

Link Authority vs. Link Relevancy: What’s the Difference?

When referring to backlinks, link authority and link relevancy are two terms that regularly arise. Although they both have their part to play in SEO, they differ vastly in what they indicate to search engines.

1. Purpose and Focus

Link Relevancy: Focuses on the context of the linking site and how well it aligns with your niche. A relevant link shows search engines that your content fits into a specific topic or industry.

Link Authority: Focuses on the credibility and reliability of the linking webpage. Although the linking website may not be immediately connected to your niche, its good authority can heavily improve your SEO.

2. SEO Impact

Link Relevancy: Improves keyword rankings for specific, targeted search terms. It drives engaged traffic from users who are already interested in your topic.

Impact: Stronger relevance leads to better positioning for niche-specific keywords.

Link Authority: Builds domain authority (DA) and trust across a wider range of keywords. It strengthens your site’s credibility and helps it rank higher overall.

Impact: Broad SEO improvements, even for less competitive keywords.

3. Traffic Quality

Link Relevancy: Attracts highly targeted traffic. Visitors coming in from related links are more probable to find your content valuable and do something, like subscribe or buy.

A food blog linking to your recipe page brings readers who are genuinely interested in your content.

Link Authority: Brings traffic based on the reputation of the linking site. Users believe in the link since it is from a reputable source, even though it may not be directly associated with your niche.

4. Value to Search Engines

Link Relevancy: Signals topical expertise. Search engines see your site as part of a network of relevant content, improving your rankings for niche-specific terms.

Value: Strengthens your topical authority and builds a focused SEO profile.

Link Authority: Passes SEO “weight.” High-authority sites transfer their trust and credibility to your site, giving you a competitive edge in overall rankings.

Value: Boosts your general SEO profile and domain authority.

5. Long-Term Benefits

Link Relevancy: Helps establish a strong foundation in your niche. It ensures your site stays visible for industry-specific searches over time.

A series of relevant links from fitness blogs solidifies your presence in the fitness industry.

Link Authority: Enhances your website’s trustworthiness and positions it as a credible source, regardless of the niche.

A single link from a site like BBC can elevate your site’s reputation significantly.

Relevancy vs. Authority: What Matters More?

So, which one takes the crown? The answer depends on your goals:

  • If you want targeted traffic and conversions, prioritize link relevancy.
  • If you aim to boost your site’s overall rankings and domain authority, focus on earning high-authority links.

“So… who wins? Authority or Relevance?

Neither works alone. You need both to succeed. Relevant links bring targeted traffic, while authoritative links improve your rankings and trustworthiness. Combining both creates a robust link profile that drives long-term SEO results.

While we’ve highlighted the differences, it’s equally important to see how link relevancy and authority complement each other to create a strong backlink strategy.

How Link Relevancy and Link Authority Work Together

Now that we have discussed the distinction between link authority and link relevancy, it is vital to see how both elements cooperate to boost your site’s SEO performance.

Here’s how these two elements complement each other:

Relevance Brings Context, Authority Adds Weight

Relevancy makes the link relevant to your audience and appropriate for the context of your content. Authority builds on that relevancy by demonstrating to search engines that the link is from a trusted and credible source.

💡 Example: A fitness blog pointing to your exercise guide (relevancy) that also is high in Domain Authority score (authority) gives a strong indication to search engines.

Bonus Tip: Use Anchor Text Wisely

When building links, choose descriptive and relevant anchor texts. This practice enhances user experience and helps search engines understand your content better.

 

Improved Rankings with Combined Impact

Search engines value backlinks that are both relevant and authoritative. When a link meets both criteria, it boosts your rankings not just for broad terms but for targeted, niche-specific keywords too.

💡 Example: A high-authority tech website linking to your IT services page carries more weight if their content is about IT trends.

How They Balance Each Other

  • Relevancy ensures the link drives engaged traffic and improves keyword rankings.
  • Authority strengthens your website’s overall SEO profile and credibility.

Focusing on just one aspect can lead to missed opportunities. A mix of relevant and authoritative links creates a robust backlink profile.

Why Search Engines Prefer Both

Google’s algorithms are designed to favor links that provide value to users. A relevant, authoritative backlink not only signals quality but also improves user experience by directing them to content they care about.

Always aim to secure links that combine both qualities. For example, receiving a backlink from a blog that has high authority and is very related to your niche is more valuable than targeting just one factor.

Now that you understand how relevancy and authority complement each other, let’s discuss actionable tactics to create backlinks that are both authoritative and relevant.

Strategies for Building Relevant and Authoritative Links

Acquiring relevant and authoritative links is essential for enhancing your website’s SEO performance. Here are some effective strategies to consider:

  • Guest Blogging: Contribute high-quality articles to reputable websites within your industry. This not only positions you as an expert but also provides valuable backlinks.
  • Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on authoritative sites and suggest your content as a replacement. This mutually beneficial approach helps maintain the site’s quality while earning you a relevant link.
  • Digital PR: Practice digital public relations by contacting journalists and media sources with newsworthy material. This can create mentions and links from high-authority websites.
  • Content Promotion: Proactively promote your content via social media, email newsletters, and other media to get it seen more. The more that your content is seen, the greater the potential for acquiring natural, relevant backlinks.
  • Engage in Online Communities: Participate in forums, discussion groups, and social media communities related to your industry. By providing valuable insights and sharing your content, you can earn relevant backlinks.

By implementing these strategies, you can build a robust profile of relevant and authoritative links, significantly enhancing your website’s SEO performance.

Still unsure about balancing relevancy and authority? Let’s hear from industry experts on how to approach this critical SEO question.

Expert Insights on Link Relevancy vs. Link Authority 

It can get confusing to decide whether to focus on link authority or link relevancy. Should you go after trusted, high-quality sites or stick to links that match your niche? 

Don’t stress! Here are some simple expert opinions to help you balance both and build better backlinks.

1. Paul May From BuzzStream 

“Oof, tough question. Definitely a peanut butter-and-chocolate situation, but if I had to choose, most of the time I’d go with the authoritative link. If I’m in a competitive space, it’s going to be tough to rank without authority (regardless of how relevant my other links are). I can make up for some of the relevance issues by optimizing keywords, internal links, etc.”

2. Rand Fishkin From Moz 

“If those are the only metrics I can take, I’d take the high-authority, low-relevance link. If, however, the relevant link were lower authority but sent more direct traffic, I’d take that one!”

3. Amy Merrill From Page One Power

“Although I would love, just for the sake of conversation, to draw a hard line in the sand and radically shout a decisive winner between relevance and authority, it is and always will be a sliding scale filled with exceptions and nuance — just like SEO and link building should be. That’s ultimately why a human element is so essential, because truly great SEO work takes human thought and critical thinking.”

What Does OutreachMonks Say About It? 

At OutreachMonks, we believe both link authority and link relevancy are equally important. If a link has authority but no relevancy, it can seem suspicious to both users and search engines. On the other hand, if it’s relevant but lacks authority, Google might not give it much weight. 

So, both are crucial to building a strong and effective backlink profile that drives results!

Conclusion

Both link relevancy and link authority play crucial roles in SEO. Link authority builds trust and credibility for your site, while link relevancy ensures your content reaches the right audience, driving more targeted traffic. 

A strong SEO strategy requires a balance of both. Prioritize high-quality, relevant links to enhance your site’s authority, visibility, and long-term rankings.

💬 Struggling to build the perfect backlink strategy? Let OutreachMonks help you create a winning combination of relevant and authoritative links that drive results. 

Contact us today and take your SEO to the next level!

FAQs: Link Relevancy vs. Link Authority

Can A Link Be Both Relevant And Authoritative?

Yes, a link can combine both qualities. For example, a high-authority website within your niche provides a link that is both relevant and impactful for your SEO.

How Does Google Measure Link Relevancy?

Google assesses link relevance using the linking page's context, keywords, and how closely its content matches that of the subject page.

Do High-Authority Links From Unrelated Websites Help Seo?

Yes, such links can pass authority to your domain. However, they may not help with keyword rankings or targeted traffic as much as relevant links do.

How Does Anchor Text Affect Link Relevancy And Authority?

Optimized anchor text improves relevancy by signaling the topic of the linked page, while anchor text from authoritative sites amplifies its SEO benefits.

Do Low-Authority But Highly Relevant Links Have Value?

Yes, relevant links, even from low-authority sites, can help improve niche-specific keyword rankings and attract targeted traffic.

How Often Should You Audit Backlinks For Relevancy And Authority?

You should audit your backlink profile every 3-6 months using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to ensure your links remain relevant and authoritative.

Does Geographic Location Affect Link Relevancy?

Yes, links from websites in your target region enhance local SEO and add geographic relevance to your backlink profile.

Can Internal Links Improve Link Relevancy?

Absolutely! Internal links help establish topical relevance within your site, making it easier for search engines to understand your content hierarchy and structure.

Are Older, High-Authority Links Still Valuable?

Yes, older links from authoritative sources retain their value unless the content is outdated or the linking site loses its credibility.

Sahil Ahuja

Sahil Ahuja

Sahil Ahuja, the founder of Outreach Monks and a digital marketing expert, has over a decade of experience in SEO and quality link-building. He also successfully runs an e-commerce brand by name Nolabels and continually explores new ways to promote online growth. You can connect with him on his LinkedIn profile.

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