Reasonable to Ask URL of Link from SEO Providing New Links before Link Activation?

[Kingalan1]

My firm has hired an SEO to create links to our site.

We asked the SEO to provide a list of domains that they are targeting for potential links. The SEO did not agree to this request on the grounds that the list is their unique intellectual property.

Alternatively I asked the SEO to provide the URL that will be linking to our site before the link is activated. The SEO did not agree to this. However, they did say we could provide comments afterwards so they could tweak their efforts when the next 4-5 links are obtained next month.

The SEO is adamant that the links will not be spam. For whatever it is worth the SEO was highly recommended.

I am an end user; the owner and operator of a commercial real estate site, not an SEO or marketing professional. Is this protectiveness over process and data typical of link building providers? I want to be fair with the provider and hope I will be working with them a long time, however I want to ensure I receive high quality links. Should I be concerned?

Thanks,
Alan

[seanginnaw]

Hi Alan,

If they're not willing to share their link/outreach targets with you, I would steer clear of them.

What they're saying about it being their 'intellectual property' is complete rubbish. At the end of the day, the site they're building links to is your business and it should be in your best interest to ensure that links that are being built to the website are of high quality. It sounds like they're being unnecessarily shady.

Find yourself an SEO that is transparent and working **with you **to create a solid link acquisition strategy, not working in isolation and secrecy.

All the best,

Sean