Google only counts 1 identical link per page

[inertia]

I want to get a few peoples opinions on this series of experiments. For those of you that haven't read the articles they relate to the theory that if you have 2 links on page A to page B then the first link text in the code is used as part of the link profile but the second link text is ignored. Read on and let me know your thoughts coz im a bit baffled!

Read the links in order for the full story:

SEOmoz | Results of Google Experimentation - Only the First Anchor Text Counts

Debunked: Only The 1st Anchor Text Counts With Google

Google counting only the first link to a domain - rebunked | SEO Scientist - Applying the scientific method to SEO

[naz]

Its a very interesting question and it seems likely to me that to me that the tests done by Rand it the 1st article and the ones in the 3rd are right. I think I will do my own similiar test as well.
I can think of many of my own sites that need to be looked at with this in mind. The text in the menus isnt always the best anchor text due to many reasons: useability, space etc. One thing I may try is a css 'footer menu' with the phrases I really want as anchor text that is at the top in the html but displays as the footer. This wouldn't be considered 'bad' manipulation of se's would it?

I wouldn't be game to try nofollows in the menu links on any of my sites except one specially used for testing.

[inertia]

Sorry people but im gonna have to bump this one up again!

I'll keep the question simple....

When page A links to page B with two links the first link to appear in the code is the link that counts with regards to link text? True or False?!

[kevsta]

it doesnt appear to be that simple does it? and lets face it none of us really knows.

SEO Scientist is a pretty switched on dude IMO, I'd probably go with him i think. (er.. not in the biblical sense, of course )