Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Resolves Google Search Console Link Report Issue
Google has officially fixed the broken link report in Google Search Console after weeks of issues. The previous temporary fix only reverted data to an older state, but now the report displays updated and accurate link data. Users are seeing restored and increased counts of external links, improving the reliability of link insights. This update occurred in mid to late March, resolving the disruptions reported by many site owners.
Optimixed’s Overview: Google Restores Accurate Link Reporting in Search Console
Background of the Link Report Disruption
In mid March, the Google Search Console link report experienced a significant malfunction, causing many website owners to notice a drastic drop or total disappearance of their external link data. This report is critical for SEO professionals and webmasters to monitor backlinks and assess their site’s link profile.
Temporary Measures and Final Resolution
- Initially, Google applied a temporary fix that reverted the link report data to a previous state rather than correcting the underlying issue.
- This workaround meant link counts were outdated, resulting in inaccurate analytics for users.
- Recently, Google fully restored the report functionality, displaying new, up-to-date link data as expected.
Impact and Current Status
Following the fix, users have observed an increase in reported external links—for example, counts rising from 135,000 to 165,000 links for certain sites. This update enhances the trustworthiness of Search Console’s backlink data, allowing SEO professionals to make better-informed decisions based on accurate link metrics.
