Link: or Links: Search - what's the difference?

[Badcol]

Hi Everyone,

Could someone send me on the right track with a link:www.websitename.com or links:www.websitename.com . I'm trying both and there is a huge difference between the results and I have to admit (dummy) that I don't know what the difference is between the two searches.

I also see a massive difference between the sandbox links: search and regular serps.

Thanks in advance

BC

[tedster]

The syntax for the special operator is link:example.com - with no space between the operator and the domain. If you use links: or vary the syntax in any other way, you are performing a regular keyword search for the character string.

[Badcol]

Thanks Tedster,

Sorry 4 being a dummy

[tedster]

This question or some variation of it gets asked many, many times every year. So you're not the only person who is looking for clarity. I hope this thread helps others with a similar need to know.

[driller41]

Just to add to my confusion:-

when I try it with quotes - link:"domain.com"

I get far more returned links - including all the social media site links I have been recently adding?

[tedster]

Your approach is also performing a natural keyword query rather than a special operator query. There is no provision for quotes with the special operator.

So, your results are not showing links, unless the domain name is present as anchor test. Instead those results are showing pages for the search on the full domain name (because of the quotes) and the word "link".