What does link:website.*.* do

[Steve m]

In my Google webmaster tools it gives me the option to look up link:www.mflshop.co.uk and it lists 2 of 5 sites linking to my site.

There is another heading called links haven't noticed this before so I assume its new, but this lists the url of 174 linking to my site.

I have never believed the Link: works because it has always been very low and I know that there a lot more Google ranked sites linking to mine.

I have a blog that became popular on Google overnight as would appear do all my blogs and hosted blogs, I have people find my site on urls that are not even listed on Google search engines according to the site:website.*.*

Does this mean this Google function is carp or does it mean my understanding of these tools is incorrect.

[peterko]

You are right Steve.

There is a big number of issues related to Google algorythm that is hard to understand (very possible Google is trying to fix some bugs). Link related issue could be one of them.

The only thing I feel about backlinks is the following: those sites have to be relevant to your site, and they have to be good quality links with PR as high as possible. The simple logic says, popularity of your website content among the other sites with relevant content, makes some kind of environment based on your content, and that is good for internet visitors.

So, first of all follow your logic.

Have a great day,
Peter