Annotate them
A link on its own is ambiguous. "This, for the pacing of the edit" is usable. "This, but not the colour" is even better.
Mix the sources
Three references from the same designer produce a copy of that designer. Pull from unrelated fields — packaging, film titles, editorial layout, product UI.
Include a negative
One reference you dislike, with a reason, saves at least one round.
Keep it under six
Beyond six, references start contradicting each other and the brief becomes an average of everything, which is the definition of generic.