Are Links Still A Powerful Google-Ranking Factor?

In this paper, we share new data on links as a Google-ranking factor. We will demonstrate the continuing importance that links play in rankings. It’s well known that links were a major ranking factor in the early days of Google (e.g., http://infolab.stanford.edu/~backrub/google.html), but many speculate that their importance is declining (e.g.,http://www.searchmetrics.com/wp-content/uploads/Ranking-Factors-2015-Whitepaper-US.pdf) . However, we show that discussion of a decline in the importance of links as a ranking factor is grossly exaggerated. Indeed, links remain extremely powerful