I have noticed from the last major google back link sort-out many sites have lost a large number of backlinks. I have dropped just 100 or so, not thinking much of it until this most recent google dance I some how think the two are related in someway. As my rankings which i tried so hard to achive - and did so - have now joined the Beegle marz probe in heaven.

Has anyone any tips?

Do you think the Back link sort-out was done on purpose to test out in this new update?

Google, seems to me now, as if it has become a SEO/Webmaster search engine rather then concentraing on what they really should be doing and providing good results instead of the rubbish which I now find.