PDF Cached by Google, but not showing as link

[TheDude]

The following pdf is cached by google: http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/REFERRAL%20LIST%20OF%20BOND%20AGENCIES_Florida.pdf

However, OpenSiteExplorer is not listing any of the links as found in it.

With such an authoritative site, I would think Google would value this, right?  None of the sites listed rank well though and OpenSiteExplorer's inability to see the links makes me wonder if Google provides these sites any value at all.

Is there any link juice or brand mention value here for Google?

[FarkyRafiq]

I know it might sound subjective, but we can’t assume that a nofollow link doesn’t provide value. Given that Google can choose to crawl and credit the link if they so choose. I wouldn’t say it does you any harm as the link was placed for a user. If someone found it worthwhile to place the link then maybe there are other opportunities to meet their need for other resources.

[TheDude]

Thanks Farky.

I suppose since it's cached, we can say with certainty that Google can see it.  However, the only link I can find to the pdf is here: http://www.sba.gov/offices/district/fl/jacksonville/resources/list-surety-bond-agencies-florida.  Looking at the source, it is no-followed.

Since it is no-followed, I suppose there is no value other than the referrals we'd receive from people viewing it (which have little value to us).

[FarkyRafiq]

'Not all links are created equal' but it makes good logical sense to see links like these naturally occur with the above PDF. Yet many 3^rd party link databases are limited to how deep they can crawl the web. Google can choose to go as deep as they like and still not show you where they found the citation. So it might not be easy to quantify using link metrics. I’d think of it as more of a trust signal from an authoritative source.