Link Authority Archives

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

Posted on January 26, 2025 (February 13, 2025) by Sahil Ahuja

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:

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.

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.

Link Authority: Key to Successful Link-Building in 2025

Posted on September 22, 2024 (February 5, 2025) by Sahil Ahuja

Link building is an essential part of any successful SEO strategy. But here’s the catch: not all links are created equal. Some have a powerful link authority that can boost your rankings, while others might be spam and even lead to penalties. So, knowing the difference can be crucial.

We know that the uppermost place in Google’s list of results gets about 30 percent of all the clicks. So, not knowing link authority leaves you winking into the dark and hoping for the best.

In this article, you’ll discover what link authority is, why it’s important for your website’s success, and how to get those valuable backlinks.

What is Link Authority?

Link authority, a key SEO metric, reflects the quality of the website that places a backlink to your website. It signals search engines about a website’s credibility and relevance. This can help enhance your website’s credibility and ranking on search engines.

Such links signal search engines that your content is valuable and thus increase visibility.

But what makes a website authoritative? Let’s know about this.

What Makes a Website Authoritative?

An authority website represents a well-known, trusted, and reliable source for information in a particular industry or niche. Here are some characteristics that you can look for:

High-quality content: Authoritative websites publish original, valuable content. They maintain consistency, prioritize accuracy, and maintain content freshness.

Strong backlink profile: Authoritative websites attract numerous backlinks from other reputable sites, establishing trust and credibility. Their backlink profile is primarily built through organic, natural acquisition, not manipulative tactics.

High Authority of Domain (DA & DR): Authoritative websites typically boast a high domain authority score, often exceeding 60 or 70. This score is a reflection of their strong backlink profile, age, and overall SEO effectiveness.

Strong Social Signals: Authoritative websites typically have a strong social media presence with high engagement rates.
Trustworthiness and Security: Authoritative websites prioritize user security by employing HTTPS encryption. They uphold ethical content practices, including transparent disclosure of sponsorships and reliance on credible sources.

Factors Influencing Link Authority

Knowing about the factors that influence link authority is key to building a successful SEO strategy. Several elements contribute to a link’s strength and impact on your website’s ranking.

1) Source Quality

The quality of the website that links to you greatly influences the value that link holds. Getting links from authoritative and reputable sites will enhance the credibility and potential search engine rankings of your site.

Here’s an example of a high-quality link from Neil Patel to Outreach Monks’ blog. Their website has high authority and trustworthiness from search engines. So, getting a link from such high-quality sources can greatly boost your credibility.

2) Link Relevance

Links should seamlessly blend with your content, enhancing its value. Relevant links act as a vote of confidence, signaling to search engines that your page is a trusted source of information on that topic. This alignment helps boost your site’s authority and search rankings.

For example, we are a reputable link-building agency, so the most relevant links that we can get are from a website well-established in digital marketing or SEO. Here’s why we got backlinks from a reputable digital marketing platform, HubSpot, to boost our credibility.

3) Dofollow vs. Nofollow

Dofollow and nofollow links impact how search engines assess authority. Dofollow links pass along valuable “link juice,” boosting the linked page’s ranking potential. Nofollow links, while still useful for traffic, don’t offer this direct SEO benefit.

💡Fact

To achieve the balance between No-follow and Do-Follow links, a ratio of 60:40 or 70:30, favoring do-follow links, is often considered ideal.

4) The Influence of Link Placement on a Page

Prioritize prominent positions within your content. Visible links attract more attention and have a greater impact on your site’s authority. The better the location, the higher the value.

At Outreach Monks, we try to get our links placed in the middle of the content. The most suitable place is somewhere in the middle. Do not place the link on the top, so that it doesn’t seem promotional, nor on the bottom, so no one notices that.

5) Anchor Text Optimization

Optimizing your anchor text involves strategically using relevant keywords that accurately describe the linked page’s content.

This helps in improving a link’s authority and search engine visibility.

You can take an example of how different anchor texts are used for link building campaigns for Outreach Monks.

6) Link Freshness and Age

A healthy link profile includes a mix of both new and old backlinks. Fresh links demonstrate ongoing relevance and activity, while older links establish longevity and credibility. Striking a balance between these two ensures a dynamic and authoritative backlink profile.

Key Metrics and Tools to Determine Link Authority

Measuring link authority requires analyzing various metrics provided by trusted SEO tools. These metrics offer insights into a website’s overall strength, trustworthiness, and potential to rank well in search results.

1) Domain Authority (DA) & Page Authority (PA) by Moz

Domain Authority (DA): It’s a website’s reputation in the eyes of a search engine. A score from 1 to 100, with higher scores meaning a stronger chance of ranking well. The more high-quality links a website has, the better its DA.
Page Authority (PA): It focuses on a single webpage rather than the entire website. A higher PA score means that a specific page has a better chance of ranking high in search results.

2) Domain Rating (DR) & URL Rating (UR) by Ahrefs

Domain Rating (DR): Ahrefs’ DR is another way to measure a website’s overall strength in terms of backlinks. It ranges from 0 to 100, with higher numbers representing a more authoritative domain.
URL Rating (UR): This metric focuses on the strength of a specific page’s backlinks, similar to Moz’s Page Authority. Pages with higher UR scores are more likely to rank well in search results. Earning backlinks from such pages can significantly boost your site’s authority.

3) Trust Flow (TF) & Citation Flow (CF) by Majestic

Trust Flow (TF): This metric focuses on the quality of backlinks, assuming that trustworthy websites only link to other trustworthy ones. A high TF suggests a site is linked to reputable sources, indicating its trustworthiness.
Citation Flow (CF): This metric measures a site’s influence based on the number of links pointing to it, regardless of quality. A high CF suggests a site has many links pointing to it, though it doesn’t guarantee the quality or relevance of those links.

4) Authority Score (AS) by Semrush

SEMrush’s Authority Score is a comprehensive measure of a domain’s overall quality, ranging from 0 to 100.

It combines various factors, such as backlink profile strength and website traffic data, to provide a holistic view of a domain’s authority.

A higher score on a scale of 0 to 100 indicates greater authority.

5) Custom Reports

Sometimes, you need a tailored approach. Custom reports from tools like Google Analytics can give you a deep dive into how your links are performing. It’s like creating a personalized strategy book for your website’s SEO.

Tips to Get Backlinks from High Authority Sites

Building backlinks from high-authority sites is crucial for SEO success. Here are some proven tactics to secure those valuable links:

1) Create Linkable Assets

Linkable assets are content pieces so valuable that other websites naturally want to link to them. These assets are not only informative but also engaging and shareable, making them ideal for attracting backlinks.

Examples include case studies, tools, guides, and visually appealing infographics. These resources appeal to other websites seeking valuable content to share with their audience, thereby earning you backlinks.

2) Guest Posting

Guest posting or writing articles for other websites in your industry is a powerful way to earn valuable backlinks.

It demonstrates your expertise to a new audience while securing external links pointing back to your site.

To maximize the benefits of guest posting, focus on contributing to high-authority websites relevant to your niche.

🎯How We Helped Our Clients?

Outreach Monks helped a UK-based clothing brand achieve remarkable growth in organic traffic, keyword rankings, and domain rating using link building. The brand got a 407% increase in traffic, and the impressive boost in keyword rankings clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of our link-building campaign. We priortize high-quality backlinks and align our efforts with their target audience, and we achieved exceptional results in a short period.

3) Publish Original Research

Original research attracts high-authority backlinks by offering unique insights and data.

It establishes you as a go-to source, prompting journalists and bloggers to cite your work and link to your content.

Focus on trending topics and present your findings in engaging blog posts with visuals to maximize backlink potential.

4) Utilize Digital PR

A well-executed digital PR campaign can elevate your brand’s online visibility. You can secure media coverage by providing journalists with compelling stories like data-driven studies or expert insights.

You can take an example from an ecommerce brand, Nolabels, which used digital PR to promote its new products.

This exposure often results in increased website traffic and valuable backlinks from authoritative sources, strengthening your online presence.

5) Join HARO

HARO helps in connecting journalists with experts. If you join and answer their questions, you could get quoted in the news, which is a great way to get people to link back to your website.

Just make sure your answers are short and concise and show you know your stuff. If you keep at it, you might even become a go-to source for journalists, opening up even more chances for backlinks and getting your name out there.

Take Help From Professionals to Build Authority Backlinks

At OutreachMonks, we understand the challenges of building high-quality backlinks. If you’re struggling or simply short on time and resources, our team of experienced link-building professionals is here to help.

We will use our expertise and extensive network to secure authoritative backlinks for your site. From identifying relevant opportunities to crafting persuasive outreach campaigns, we’re committed to accelerating your website’s growth and boosting its online presence. Let us handle the difficult task of authority link building so you can focus on your business.

Conclusion

Link authority is essential for effective SEO, particularly as we move into 2025. It serves as a robust endorsement of your site’s credibility, boosting visibility and organic traffic.

Getting strong, quality links can improve your SERPs and increase your online presence for long-term success. Some effective methods include choosing quality over quantity, creating strategic content like guest posts, or using digital PR.

For streamlined efforts, consider partnering with experts like Outreach Monks. Their proficiency and resources can help you efficiently secure authoritative backlinks, enhancing your SEO endeavors sustainably.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Link Authority fluctuate over time?

Yes, Link Authority can change as search engines update algorithms and as the quality of your backlinks evolves.

Is it worth removing low-quality links?

Definitely, cleaning up poor-quality links can improve your site's overall Link Authority.

Do social media links contribute to Link Authority?

While they're different from traditional backlinks, social media links can indirectly boost your visibility and credibility.

Is Link Authority the same for all search engines?

Each search engine has its way of measuring, but high-quality links are universally beneficial.

Does local link-building affect Link Authority?

Yes, local links are valuable, especially for businesses targeting specific geographic areas.

How do I know if a link is high-quality?

Check the linking site's relevance, authority, and trustworthiness; these are good indicators of quality.