Use this checklist to systematically evaluate any potential link source. Score each section and determine overall link quality.
Quick Assessment (30 Seconds)
Before deep evaluation, quick-check these deal-breakers:
If any are "No": Skip this prospect, move on.
Section 1: Domain Quality
Authority Metrics
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| DA/DR meets your minimum threshold | ☐ | Score: ___ |
| Reasonable for site type | ☐ | |
| Consistent with site appearance | ☐ | |
| Not suspicious (very high DA, no content) | ☐ | |
Minimum thresholds (adjust to your needs):
- Basic: DA 10+
- Moderate: DA 20+
- Good: DA 30+
- High quality: DA 40+
Traffic Indicators
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Site has real traffic (SimilarWeb check) | ☐ | Est: ___ |
| Traffic matches authority metrics | ☐ | |
| Traffic is from target geography | ☐ | |
| Traffic trend is stable or growing | ☐ | |
Domain History
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Domain has reasonable age | ☐ | |
| No history of spam/penalties | ☐ | |
| Consistent ownership/purpose | ☐ | |
| Not a recently expired domain flip | ☐ | |
Section 1 Score: ___ / 10
Section 2: Relevance
Topical Relevance
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Site covers topics related to yours | ☐ | |
| Content is in your industry/niche | ☐ | |
| Audience overlap with yours | ☐ | |
| Link would make sense contextually | ☐ | |
Page-Level Relevance
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Specific page is relevant to your content | ☐ | |
| Your content adds value to their context | ☐ | |
| Not a forced or unnatural fit | ☐ | |
Relevance Rating
| Rating | Description |
|---|
| High (5) | Directly in your industry, clear fit |
| Medium (3) | Related industry, reasonable fit |
| Low (1) | Tangential connection at best |
| None (0) | No relevance, skip this prospect |
Section 2 Score: ___ / 10
Section 3: Content Quality
Site-Level Content
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Original, quality content throughout | ☐ | |
| Regular updates/new content | ☐ | |
| Real author information | ☐ | |
| Proper grammar and presentation | ☐ | |
Page-Level Content
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Substantive content (not thin) | ☐ | |
| Well-written and formatted | ☐ | |
| Provides genuine value | ☐ | |
| Not primarily link-focused | ☐ | |
Content Red Flags
| Flag | Present? |
|---|
| Thin, short content pages | ☐ |
| Obviously AI-generated without editing | ☐ |
| Scraped or duplicate content | ☐ |
| Keyword stuffing | ☐ |
| No real information, just links | ☐ |
Section 3 Score: ___ / 10
Section 4: Trust Signals
Positive Trust Indicators
| Indicator | Present? |
|---|
| Clear about/contact information | ☐ |
| Social media presence | ☐ |
| Real team/author information | ☐ |
| Professional design | ☐ |
| HTTPS security | ☐ |
| Privacy policy | ☐ |
Business Legitimacy (if applicable)
| Indicator | Present? |
|---|
| Verifiable business information | ☐ |
| Reviews or testimonials | ☐ |
| Industry affiliations | ☐ |
| Media mentions | ☐ |
Section 4 Score: ___ / 10
Section 5: Spam Signals
Warning Signs
| Signal | Present? |
|---|
| Excessive ads (especially intrusive) | ☐ |
| Many outbound links (100+ per page) | ☐ |
| Links to known spam sites | ☐ |
| Pop-ups or redirects | ☐ |
| Unrelated ad content | ☐ |
Spam Pattern Indicators
| Pattern | Present? |
|---|
| Multiple unrelated topics | ☐ |
| Links don't match content | ☐ |
| Obvious paid link section | ☐ |
| "Write for us" as main CTA | ☐ |
| Links to gambling, pharma, adult sites | ☐ |
Technical Red Flags
| Flag | Present? |
|---|
| Shared hosting with many spam sites | ☐ |
| Recently registered domain | ☐ |
| Hidden or cloaked content | ☐ |
| Automatic redirect chains | ☐ |
Any spam signals = significant concern
Section 5 Score: ___ / 10 (reverse scored—fewer signals = higher score)
Section 6: Link Potential
Link Placement
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Link would be contextual (in content) | ☐ | |
| Not just footer/sidebar placement | ☐ | |
| Makes sense for their readers | ☐ | |
| Would be do-follow (if known) | ☐ | |
Conversion Likelihood
| Check | Status | Notes |
|---|
| Site accepts external links | ☐ | |
| Has linked out before | ☐ | |
| Contact information available | ☐ | |
| Reasonable response likelihood | ☐ | |
Section 6 Score: ___ / 10
Overall Evaluation
Scoring Summary
| Section | Score | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|
| Domain Quality | _/10 | 20% | ___ |
| Relevance | _/10 | 30% | ___ |
| Content Quality | _/10 | 20% | ___ |
| Trust Signals | _/10 | 15% | ___ |
| Spam Signals | _/10 | 10% | ___ |
| Link Potential | _/10 | 5% | ___ |
| Total | | | ___/10 |
Decision Guide
| Score | Decision |
|---|
| 8-10 | High priority prospect—pursue actively |
| 6-8 | Good prospect—include in outreach |
| 4-6 | Moderate—pursue if capacity allows |
| 2-4 | Low priority—skip unless easy win |
| 0-2 | Not worth pursuing—move on |
Quick Reference Card
Must Have (Deal-Breakers)
Nice to Have (Value-Adds)
Bonus Factors
