Too many links?

[A_Q]

I've recently taken over a site from another agency, which has hundreds of linking root domains. These domains are of very low quality and, in my opinion, are being ignored by Google.

Is it best to 'clean up' some of these links, or leave them and start building quality links?

I just don't want to waste time cleaning link profiles if there's no need.

[CaseyKluver]

Hi Elias,

Its been in my experience and what I have heard that you can just keep them as is. Just as you were thinking of Google ignoring these links, they probably are.

We took over for a similar situation, almost all of the hundreds of current links were from low quality forum and other profile links. We left them as is and after a couple months of real link building the rankings started to climb with no problem.

If there are any links on sites with illegal content, then I would concentrate on removing those links.

[A_Q]

Thanks Casey,

It's good to have a second opinion. I'll leave as is for the time being.

[Dr-Pete]

If they're really just low quality (spun articles, blog comments, etc.), then I agree with Casey. You can cause more trouble taking a machete to your links - move forward with stronger, better links, and the past will probably be forgiven. My only caveat is that if these links appear to be paid or farmed, I might be a bit more aggressive with removing some of them.