Google Search Console link reporting is showing abnormal results, including cases where SEOs see zero links and others see large drops in reported link counts. Significant fluctuations can occur, but the current changes appear unusually large and widespread, suggesting a break in code or data affecting what links are displayed. Some users report drops as high as 87.5% compared with prior checks. Guidance is to avoid panic when link counts hit zero or fall sharply, since the issue appears to affect many profiles. John Mueller indicated Google will investigate unexpected behavior, potentially delayed by long weekends.
"It is not uncommon to see fluctuations, even significant ones, in the link report - I've been keeping a log recently over here. But this is big, this looks like something significant broke in the code or data where tons of links dropped out of the report. I am seeing at 87.5% drop in the links being reported for this site from the last time I checked:"
"So don't panic if you see zero links or a huge drop in links, it is everyone and I assume it is a bug in the report. I did ask John Mueller from Google about this but I did not yet get a response on Bluesky. Update: John replied on Bluesky:"
"Thanks for the heads-up, Barry. We'll take a look to see if there's anything unexpected happening (given the long weekends it might take a bit of time).- John Mueller ( @johnmu.com) May 21, 2026 at 4:27 PM"
"Yes, just came on here to check if anyone else. Just toggled through two client profiles and see this. pic.twitter.com/gqEgLs6fHg- Steve Weber (@swebermarketing) May 21, 2026 clearly a bug i'm seeing here on my end pic.twitter.com/VtM52wOUOk- Steve (@ScubaSteve1219) May 21, 2026 OK, this takes the cake. Hahaha. Yeah, something is very off with the links reporting in GSC. pic.twitter.com/KIYmFPm1fX- Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) May 21, 2026"
Read at Search Engine Roundtable
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