Many website owners are noticing that the Links report inside Google Search Console is currently missing, delayed, or not updating properly. This issue is appearing at the same time as the rollout of the Google May 2026 Core Update, which officially started rolling out this week.
Google May 2026 Core Update
Google has officially started rolling out the Google May 2026 Core Update, and many website owners are already noticing ranking fluctuations along with missing or delayed links data inside Google Search Console.
According to the Google Search Status Dashboard, the incident began on May 21, 2026 at 08:40 PDT, and Google confirmed that the rollout may take up to two weeks to fully complete.
What makes this update especially interesting is that Google labeled it as an “Incident affecting Ranking,” which suggests the update is actively impacting search visibility across websites while systems continue recalculating rankings and signals.
At the same time, several users are reporting that the Links report inside Search Console is either not loading, showing incomplete backlink data, or temporarily disappearing. Right now, this appears to be more of a reporting and processing issue connected to the ongoing core update rather than a penalty or manual action.
During broad core updates, Google often refreshes ranking systems, indexing signals, and data processing pipelines at scale. Because of that, Search Console reports can temporarily lag behind or display inconsistent data until the rollout stabilizes.
For website owners, the best approach right now is to monitor:
- Ranking changes
- Click and impression trends
- Crawl and indexing activity
- Overall search visibility
Avoid making rushed SEO changes while the rollout is still active. Core updates usually create temporary volatility, and rankings can continue shifting for days or even weeks before settling.
Mohit Sharma
SEO SpecialistWith over 5 years of experience in SEO and digital marketing, I began my career as a SEO Executive, where I honed my expertise in search engine optimization, keyword ranking, and online growth strategies. Over the years, I have built and managed multiple successful websites and tools.
