Back in early June I reported how Google told us that the only links you need are the links in Webmaster Tools for reconsideration request purposes. Then about a week ago, we showed a clear example of Google showing us the opposite, where links in Webmaster Tools did not show up even though Google themselves called out a bad link.

So I questioned Google about this and published the response on Search Engine Land.

Google’s Matt Cutts said:

Honestly, I am not 100% clear what to make from this.

Can we as webmasters and SEOs rely on the links within Google Webmaster Tools? Doesn’t seem like we can. Right? Well, maybe not fully.

Forum discussion at Google+.