Why is there such a big discrepancy between OSE and GWT regarding # backlinks?

[tomypro]

Hello,

We have been doing some analysis around our backlink profiles for our sites and have been experiencing a massive discrepancy between what is reported as number of C class linking domains in OSE and the information returned in Google Webmaster tools.

For a variety of sites OSE is reporting numbers < 10 for C class linking doamins while GWT shows >100 unique domains linking (we confirmed that the majority of these links are in different C classes)

Is this simply a matter of the limited index size of OSE or could there be another explanation? It is interesting that the links that do show up in OSE a nearly exclusively sites that we own.

/T

[Cyrus-Shepard]

The OSE index is smaller than what Google reports in GWT, but then again, the links reported in GTW are famously inaccurate and often not up to date. Google often includes "junk" links that have very little chance of effecting their ranking algorithm.

Linkscape crawls approximately the top 25% of web, which is where the majority of links are found that actually influence rankings. It's not a perfect system, and sometimes links are missed, but it works well as a predictive tool and also for competitive research.

"It is interesting that the links that do show up in OSE a nearly exclusively sites that we own."

Yes, it is interesting. The links Linkscape miss tend to be either beneath layers of navigation, or on pages with few inbound links. Sometimes improving your link structure will help your links both appear in Linkscape, and improve crawling and rankings from Google as well (although I'd be careful in your case, because you own the sites in question, not to create the appearance of a link scheme)

Best of Luck!

[eyepaq]

Neither OSE and WMT is providing the real and full link profile. I have the same issue with several accounts.

But both can be a really good indicator if used together. Personally I use a 3 combo: WMT, OSE and the Majestic tool.

With those 3 powers combined (like in Captain Planet) you will have a really good feedback.

I use WMT as a primary tool when I have access and OSE and Majestic as second tier. I use OSE as the main tool for competition analysis and majestic as a backup - filling some gaps.

You can also try Raven for some additional feedback - but a agin, no tool will provide full100% accurate information.

Hope it helps.