Should I fix a high quality link when the website linking was complaining? What would you do?

[McCannSEO]

While reviewing 404 errors in Webmaster Tools, I noticed that a client had a link from a high authority, well respected forum, to a page which no longer exists.

When I checked out the linking post, it was from 2004 and showed a campaign against the company for it's advertising tactics. I'll spare the details but the company has since changed their ways.

It's tempting to implement a 301 to get the link juice from this DA 80 post, but since the reason for the link is a negative one and the co-citations are not going to be positive, is it better to just let this link go?

Or what about something more up-front, such as setting up a page which states the company's mission statement and commitment to quality and standards and 301 redirecting to there? Even if we let this link be broken, a potential customer could be put off, so it might be a good idea to address this past issue on site?

Let me know your opinions on whether there is a way to benefit from this link or whether we are better off allowing the 404.

[DennisSeymour]

I would totally recreate the exact same url and put an update about how the company has changed and stuff like that

Id make it super professional and a bit long to make people believe it (if ever, somehow, someone finds that old link)

A link is a link and Ill take it, especially a great link that is "easy"

[McCannSEO]

Thanks for the reply Dennis.

I can't really let it slip through my fingers. Awkward conversation with the client coming up!

If for any reason, they won't go for the idea of addressing the issue up front, do you think it would be harmful to 301 redirect the old link to the home page?

[EGOL]

Can you see any traffic coming through that link in recent analytics?

If people are flooding in that might make you want to handle it differently than if nobody uses that link.

[McCannSEO]

That is a very good point, thanks for making it.

As it turns out, after having done a bit of digging, it seems that they have a few other links from this website which are not as negative, which relate to a competition they ran. However, I still think it's worth preserving the link and addressing the concerns. Links from DA sites don't grow on trees and surely it's worth doing a bit of reputation management?

I'll speak to the client and see what they want to do.

Thanks both!

[KarlBantleman]

As a side note...why not get the client to contact the forum and make an official statement so they can clear up any misconceptions that a potential customer may have?