How SEOs Would React To Google Dropping Links As A Ranking Factor

Apr 21, 2014 - 8:12 am 17 by

Google Webmaster Tools Bug in LinksAs you know, Yandex, the popular Russian search engine, officially dropped link factors from their ranking algorithm within specific sectors.

Google's Matt Cutts said dropping links in Google's ranking algorithm would make for worse search results - so they likely won't be doing that any time soon.

But what if they did? That is the questioned we asked you and with 330+ responses, I wanted to share the results.

If Google dropped links from their ranking algorithm you would be:

  • 35% said, very excited
  • 32% said, curious
  • 18% said, very concerned
  • 8% said, just be...
  • 6% said, they would be over and done with

Here is the pie chart:

google algo link poll

Disclaimer: Please see my poll disclaimer post before coming to any conclusions on these results.

Forum discussion continued at WebmasterWorld.

Note: I am offline today and this post was pre-scheduled to be automatically posted. So if I am delayed in responding to issues or comments, I apologize in advance.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google

Google AI Overviews Pushing Searchers Into AI Mode, Drops Show More Button

Aug 28, 2026 - 1:30 pm
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: August 28, 2026

Aug 28, 2026 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google GoTo Parameter Fight, PDFs Go Missing In Google, SEO For AI Responses & Google and Microsoft Ads News

Aug 28, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Book Buttons Expand To Search & Performance Max

Aug 28, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Announces Search Updates For Transparency, Actionable Updates Get Blog Posts

Aug 28, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google

Google Preferred Sources, Tailor Your Feed & Search Profiles Are Different

Aug 28, 2026 - 7:31 am
 
Previous Story: A Stuffed Panda Boarding A Train