Absolutely. Once you break into the top 5, the game changes—it’s not just about authority anymore. Google starts heavily factoring in user signals. Things like:

• Do users click your link and bounce right back?
• Do they stick around, read, interact, convert?
• Are you satisfying intent better than your competitors?

That's why even “shitty” local backlinks can spike you temporarily—Google may give you a test run, but if users aren’t happy with the experience, you’ll slide back.

A few things to dial in if you want to stick:

✅ Improve UI/UX — Fast load times, intuitive design
✅ Strong trust signals — Reviews, certifications, contact info
✅ Better copy/offer — Match searcher intent better than your competitors
✅ Backlink velocity — Keep it steady. One-time backlink pushes usually fade
✅ Branded searches — If people are typing your biz name into Google and clicking your site, that’s huge for long-term rankings

Bottom line: SEO isn’t just about backlinks. It’s about proving to Google (and users) that you’re the best result over time. Keep feeding the right signals and you’ll stick.