BrickLink update set to be enacted next month which will conflate several types of mold variants

Here is a full list of affected parts.

While this proposed change may make it easier for sellers to store, organize, and distribute parts, it will deal a toll upon buyers, builders, and researchers by erasing documented distinctions between piece variations.

I suggest checking out R. R. Slugger's video for an analysis of the importance of BrickLink and its exactness as well as his discussion regarding how this change would negatively affect the Lego community.