Does Google use link CTR as a factor?
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Been wondering for a while if Google might be using CTR of links pointing your site? Anyone run any tests or have any clues?
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Highly unlikely. Why would a CTR matter at all, in Google's perspective?
I'd even wager that CTR of actual Google SERPs isn't used. The CTR doesn't really tell you anything without providing false positives.
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I'm with Zach. I'm sure there are plenty of good backlinks for which google has no CTR data because the webmaster isn't using google analytics.
Interesting concept. That might help with webspam. It would be pretty easy to game though.
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CTR on links wouldn't make any different to the power or quality of the link - that will be down to domain authority, page authority, relevance, anchor text and indexation mostly.
I think CTR does make a minor difference in the SERP's though - coupled with bounce rate and numerous other factors. For example I would imagine a number one result with a very low CTR and a very high bounce rate wouldn't stay there for too long.
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If I owned google and a site was appearing in the #2 position and not getting clicked then that says something. The title could be totally irrelevant, the site could be so trashy that everybody knows about it, may other things.
If nobody is clicking then it is wasting space in the SERPs.