Have we seen the last of backlinks updates?

[lorenzinho2]

I've noticed that backlinks updates haven't happened for a while, but the SERPS are updating. In other words, I have launched new pages of content in the last two months or so, that have been linked to by outside sites, I have been given credit for those links by Google (I believe, as I have achieved good placement for those pages), but the backlinks have not been displayed.

So it got me to thinking. Why would Google want to update those backlinks anymore? Updating backlinks for public display is not directly related to Google's core mission of providing useful search results for users, and seems to me, makes it easier for SEOs and Webmasters to manipulate search engine results - or at least understand, WHY those search engine results are happening the way they are. In addition, by showing backlinks, Google makes it easier for Webmasters to de facto sell PR / placement, as they can offer proof to their advertisers that buying a text link on their site is being recognized by Google and will improve search engine placement.

I see this is a slightly different issue than displaying PR. No one outside of Google knows the formula that drives PR. PR is a blackbox that can be used by Google however they want: as a proxy for the value of a site, or as a smokescreen to keep SEOs focused on something other than search engine manipulation (read: pr manipulation)

So if Google is faced with a choice between displaying backlinks as a helpful tool for Webmasters or providing useful search results for their users, of course they are going to choose the latter.

So maybe the message that Google is sending by not updating Backlinks is - you know what you need to do ethically build a good, well-indexed, well trafficked sites (see: [webmasterworld.com...] As you know what to do, we are no longer going to tell you which sites linking to you are helping your search engine placement - but we (Google) know exactly which sites are linking to you, and which sites are helping.

Anyone buy this?

[keyplyr]

September 21 had last update.

A deep crawl of my site a few days ago, dead since.

I feel it coming!

[hitchhiker]

So we definitely have "updates" but now they're in sections or groups (were you people who updated in september high PR sites >6? - is there an identifying reason you lot updated and others didn't)?

I miss our monthly dance.. (1/2 miss, 1/2 happy I don't care as much anymore) Ho hum, guess there's no need to start those former "super-threads"

[Marcia]

I miss those regular monthly updates, the update threads, too. It's more peaceful now I have to admit, but kind of boring.

I had sites increase backlinks just a few weeks ago with an increase in PR, and they're not PR6. One or two are probably almost there, but not yet.

There's been something lost, Google's just not the same any more since the monthly updates stopped. There was a certain charm and charismatic element to the whole thing.