The Edward Show Backlinks STILL Work After They're Deleted? The Experiment That Shocked SEOs.
Dec 7, 2025
Discover the intriguing world of link echoes in SEO, where removed backlinks surprisingly continue to influence rankings. An eye-opening Moz experiment reveals that rankings can remain stable even after links disappear. Rand Fishkin’s tests support this finding, showing lasting valor in quality backlinks. Learn why good links are invaluable long-term assets, while bad ones can leave detrimental footprints. The discussion prompts a fresh perspective on link-building strategies, emphasizing the importance of natural, high-quality backlinks.
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Backlinks Leave Lingering Value
- Backlinks can continue to pass value even after they are removed, a phenomenon called "link echoes."
- Experiments suggest Google tracks and retains link value for months after removal.
Moz's Two-Site Link Experiment
- Moz added 22 links to two test sites and both rose dramatically in rankings during the test.
- When the links were removed, one site stayed at #1 and the other fell only one spot.
Rand Fishkin's Eight Tests
- Rand Fishkin ran eight similar link tests and saw the ranking gains persist after links disappeared.
- He reported that in none of those tests did rankings fall back to original positions after link removal.