Recent reports suggest that there has been a noticeable drop in link counts according to the link reports in Google Search Console (GSC). SEO experts like Leonard Brahm have reported a 30% drop in link counts around November 3rd, which may be linked to an unconfirmed Google search ranking algorithm update.
This decline has caused a stir in the SEO community, with many concerned that sudden fluctuations in link counts could erode a site's authority and, as a result, its visibility in organic search.
Google's search advocacy team commented on the situation, explaining that such fluctuations are part of the natural evolution of the web, although the nature of this sudden drop leaves room for further investigation.
SEO experts are advised to closely monitor your website using GSC tools, and it is important to keep in mind that SEO strategy, user experience, and quality content still play a vital role in SERP rankings.
This incident highlights the volatile nature of SEO and the need for a robust and adaptable SEO strategy. Additionally, the number of backlinks from high domain authority sites has dropped significantly, reducing SEO performance and digital visibility.
This development has caused widespread disappointment in the SEO community, with many emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high-quality link profile, actively monitoring your backlink profile, and communicating with sites with high domain authority to prevent such disruptions.
Another significant development reported was a 60% decrease in overall backlinks.
Understanding Google Link Decline
This decline is believed to be due to issues with SEO strategies or penalties from Google.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the reported decline was due to the website recently undergoing a new domain and structure, with all old backlinks being fully migrated to the new domain. A robust backlink monitoring system was put in place to prevent any potential losses in the future.
Google has been dealing with inconsistencies in link reporting for some time now, and the significant drop from 2.5 million links in August 2018 to 215,000 links in June 2023 indicates a major shift in Google’s data tracking system. Marketers need to increase their expertise in link building and optimization.
The current situation has caused a lot of confusion among SEO professionals, and experts must continue to actively monitor ranking changes while sharing knowledge and insights within the industry.
SEO professionals are advised to closely monitor their link reports and rankings, as if this trend continues it could have a significant impact on organic search rankings, highlighting the need for a diverse SEO effort.
Webmasters should closely monitor changes in web traffic and search visibility, which may provide valuable clues as to the nature of the problem. A balanced mix of high-quality inbound, outbound and internal links is recommended.
In these uncertain times, it's more important than ever for SEO professionals to be agile, vigilant, and adaptable. The rules of the game may be changing, but those who can quickly adapt their strategies will remain successful.