A significant drop in link reports in Google Search Console has concerned many experts in the SEO community. This data discrepancy started a month ago and has continued ever since. Various SEO experts have noticed a significant drop in link reports without any correlating changes in site rankings or performance. These discrepancies have sparked widespread discussion and many are hoping for a quick resolution.
The cause of this change is under investigation, with various tests and data analyses being conducted, the results of which are expected to shed light on the situation, and some speculation that it may be due to a bug on Google's side or a change in its algorithm.
Meanwhile, SEO specialists are advised to monitor your site closely and follow best practices to prevent any negative impact on your rankings. Google has been notified of these concerns and has responded with assurances that it is addressing the issues. Therefore, despite the disturbing reports, it is best to wait for an official explanation from Google before continuing to implement your SEO strategy.
It is not uncommon to see a documented case where a site managed by SEO expert Leonard Brahm saw a 30% drop in listed links. Similar patterns have been noted by other industry experts and experts, such as network expert Richard Sanchez, whose website saw a 25% drop in its reciprocal link network over a two-month period.
This recent trend is alarming given the relevance of backlinks in determining a site’s Google ranking.
Decline in Google Link Reports worries SEO experts
If link counts continue to decline, it could negatively impact the online visibility, traffic, and potential revenue of many platforms. Additionally, reports of Google ignoring over 1,000 high-quality links in favor of lower-quality links have raised questions and concerns about Google's link evaluation criteria.
Unfortunately, Google has yet to provide any clarity on this issue, and until such a clarification is made, the SEO community is left to deal with the unsettling ramifications of these link removals and the need for more transparency and accountability from tech giants like Google.
Another concern is the decline in indexed pages, as shown by recent Search Console metrics. In this situation, SEO experts and digital marketers need new and innovative problem-solving approaches to adapt to the changing situation.
As concerns continue, some SEO experts, including one who discovered that all 483 external links that linked to his homepage had disappeared, are finding solace in the shared experiences and joint research of the SEO community. These joint efforts have led to a better understanding of Google's algorithms and potential updates, and the hope is that a solution to this issue will be found soon.
The year-over-year decline in link counts has worried the SEO community, with the number of links dropping from 2.5 million in August 2018 to just 215,000 in June 2023. Uncertainty remains as the cause of this decline remains unconfirmed by Google. Nevertheless, SEO experts and digital marketers continue to monitor the situation closely and adjust their approaches to align with Google’s ever-evolving algorithms.