What is an unsafe link?

An unsafe link is a hyperlink that directs users to harmful, deceptive, or untrustworthy websites. These links may lead to malware, phishing scams, or low-quality domains flagged for security risks. For SEO, unsafe links damage credibility and can cause penalties if a site is associated with them. Search engines view connections to such domains as negative signals. Regular monitoring of a site’s link profile is necessary to avoid unsafe associations and maintain user trust, search safety, and long-term visibility.