Matt Cutts: 301 Redirects Dilute PageRank Equally To Normal Links - See more at: http://www.seroundtable.com/redirects-links-pagerank-16419.html#sthash.umEfJcPQ.dpuf

Filed Under Google Search Engine Optimization

Back about three years ago, we covered an interview between Google's Matt Cutts and Eric Enge of Stone Temple Consulting where we thought we learned that 301 Redirects Do Not Pass Full PageRank & Link Value.

The truth is, they do not pass full PageRank but nor does normal links, which we knew. The issue was, most people felt that 301 redirects pass LESS PageRank than normal links and that is not true.

Google's Matt Cutts posted a video yesterday saying:

The amount of PageRank that dissipates through a 301 is currently identical to the amount of PageRank that dissipates through a link.

So currently, there is no difference between a 301 and a link in terms of PageRank dilution.
That being said, if you have many redirects, like chains of them from one url to another to another, that is a known bad thing. But one or so won't hurt you.
Here is Matt's video:- 

This is one of those topics that is pretty cut and dry but as you ask more questions, with more variables in the mix, it can become a "what if" type of scenario that is not so cut and dry. Which is why we had the confusion in the first place, because Matt did not want to lead people on the first time - I guess?

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld & Google+. & See more at: http://www.seroundtable.com/redirects-links-pagerank-16419.html#sthash.umEfJcPQ.dpuf

Fewer Links to Your Site In Google Webmaster Tools? You're Not Alone.

Over the past 20 hours or so, there have been numerous reports and concerns over the number of links being reported within Google Webmaster Tools "Links to Your Site" section severely dropping.

The number of links being reported in that section for many webmasters have dropped by as much as 75% for some webmasters.

There are threads at Webmaster World and many at Google Webmaster Help forums about the decline in the number of reported links.

One webmaster said:

I'm seeing a huge shift in what's being reported by the "Links to your Site" page across all the domains in my WMT account.

Something like 50-75% of Links that still exist and were previously reported are now gone.

Others are freaking out:

Where my all back link gone while I didn’t use “disavow links” tool????

In short, do not worry, it is probably a reporting glitch. It wouldn't be the first time. Google had a similar issue back in August 2011.

So do not worry, you have company.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and Google Webmaster Help. Here is the more information - http://www.seroundtable.com/google-webmaster-tools-link-count-16315.html