What count as irrelevant links?

[seocoza]

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?

[Devanur-Rafi]

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.

[MoosaHemani]

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!

[PremioOscar]

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.

[MikeRoberts]

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.

[seocoza]

Thank You for all the Responses. It is good to know that I am on the right track!