To get a more accurate measure of how strong the backward links are for a web site you will need to do the following:

1. Enter a search into Google for the URL in question.

2. Select the Google option for web pages that 'contain the term' (as shown below).

3. Look at the quality of the pages displayed. The main criteria for good linking is that the links are relevant to the search being made. Links from directories such as DMOZ and Yahoo will greatly assist search engine positioning. Also, links from government or education sites will be of tremendous value.

A lot more depth can be taken to accurately assess backward links. In most cases however, these basic guidelines will provide a clear idea of what is happening. If you do decide to delve further into assessing links, the attributes of the page that contains the link will need to be looked at. The size of the link text, the position on the page and the number of other external links will all play a part in determining the strength of the link.

Determining the Google algorithm is no easy task. The best approach is to ensure that we keep within the guidelines laid out by major search engines such as Google. More than ever, the development of strong linking with other web sites is essential in achieving top positions.

As with all past updates, many people will jump on a forum to try and ascertain what is happening. Please remember that the SEO forums are filled with amateurs trying to assert themselves as being Google experts. In reality these forums are very misleading and best avoided as the paranoia created from them can be quite overwhelming.