Theory of "link:"

what's the logic of google's odd link reporting?

[mortalfrog]

Is there any rhyme or reason to the links google reports?

Google doesn't seem to list incoming links that are below PR4 except for DMOZ, but even so, it doesn't list all of my links from PR4+ pages.

Does it intentionally cut out half of the incoming links above PR4+ and all below PR4? Or is there some other reason for the limits on incomings?

I'm rather confused, since this could be an extremely useful tool for webmasters, but seems to have been neutered for some reason - does anyone know why?

[WebGuerrilla]

I'm rather confused, since this could be an extremely useful tool for webmasters

I think you've answered your own question. If you ran a search engine that utilized an algorithm that relied heavily on link analysis, would it be in your best interest to allow webmasters to view every single link that you used to calculate relevance?

[mortalfrog]

well, I'm a bit skeptical about the need for secrecy, if that's the motivation behind this. If you write a good algorithm and develop a refined system for preventing exploits of this algorithm (eg. google bombing) then what do you have to fear from webmasters who are just interested in promoting their content?

In more specific terms: although an "uncapped" back-link checker would reveal, to a degree, the value of links, google has nothing to fear from this if their algorithm for weighting links is honest and has some solid anti-spam methods integrated into the calculation. It seems to me that the only people who really benefit from the veiled scales of the google bot are the SEO's who, through trial and error and lots of experience, have basically figured out most of the rules by themselves.

So, to pursue this tangent, one might ask the question: why does google favour SEO's over the average Joe?

[SmallTime]

It just is a little forgetful. How would you like to have to remember all those links?

[fathom]

So, to pursue this tangent, one might ask the question: why does google favour SEO's over the average Joe?

I would think this is the other way around, to protect the average Joe.

What value do backlinks really have to google users.

With exception to the site owner (and more importantly your competition) being able to see all the links you have so that they can do (get) precisely what you have + maintaining a competitive advantage over you because they have some unique links, you don't.

Put the shoe on the other foot... you want the competitive advantage so you target precisely what the competition have and your unique ones give you that same competitive edge.

Other than this... what value is there?

Knowing what backlinks you have doesn't change much... knowing who you WANT to backlink to you is the key, (PR4 and over, once they are there, the rest matter not)!