Why Does Anyone Care about Page Rank?
Google uses a numbering system — page rank — to determine how relevant each is blog is. The system is based on a complex algorithm that places weight on how blogs are linked. I explained it this way during the Google Page Rank Update last February.
Page rank determines how relevant your blog is by using linking as a vote system. Google has developed an algorithm that weighs links between blogs A to B to C to A, and also looking also at the importance of the blogs making the links. Quality blogs that are well connected to other quality blogs are considered highly relevant to Google users. Relevant, quality, important blogs receive higher page ranks. Higher page ranks can mean higher advertising payments for blogs that monetize.
Many tools are available to help you query Google’s various data centers to check for any changes in PageRank values for a given URL. During most times the data centers deliver the same rank, however during an update you might get a glimpse of changes URL’s PageRank value. Beaware that the information is only as accurate as the tool you use. I’ve had rankings predictions vary as much as three points between tools.
Google changes their algorithm frequently. This is the tool that I use. Click the image to go there.
Keep in mind that many fluctuations occur and that the dance takes many days before things settle down into their final place.
Also read:
Aaron Wall’s Google PageRank Leakage & Misconceptions on PageRank
–ME “Liz” Strauss
I think most people care about page rank because it is one of the indicators to you how well you are doing in Google… and secondly, it does affect the value of your website (i.e. if you are planning to sell it)
For myself, having a pagerank is an indicator to me that I have done things right (not accidentally done something that is frowned upon by Google)
But I think what is more important is the credibility you build (for blogs). So Liz, if you should ever head over to another URL to continue you blog, you can be sure I’ll be right over too. 😉
Thamks Kian Ann,
If you didn’t come with me, were I do to somewhere, I’d miss your conversation and your insights. You’re an asset to the blog and a friend to me. 🙂
Thanks Liz. I’m still learning and I’m glad that my insights still makes sense 😛
Kian Ann,
For a guy who’s still learning, you’re doing a great job of looking like you know your way around. 🙂
Always news you can use
While i espouse “writing from the heart”, I think you need to establish a “core term” for each page and then supporting phrases.
Core terms are the most important terms on each page and should be used as a phrase as often as good, readable copy allows. that and good keywords…
Would this tool be great if you’re planning an update /overhaul to your site as well?
Thanx all
GP in b-r-r-r- Montana
Hi GP
It’s always good in nonfiction writing to keep consistent in terminology, not just for the purpose of key words, but to support the reader. Your use of “core terms” is an example of good writing. When we get too varied, the reader is likely to thing that our use of ‘house” in one sentence and “home” in another is purposeful and has meaning or we would have continued using the same word.
I’m not sure this page rank predictor would help in the situation you’re describing, GP, because it only reports what Google has in it’s data centers, which doesn’t change unless it’s Google doing the dance — not you. 🙂
I think pagerank is over rated. Some people obsess about page rank and it is not healthy. I have had sites go from a pagerank of 7 down to a 5 over time and vice versa… but those same sites still perform equally well. Actually pagerank is a nice barometer of a sites strength and relative “value”. But it really has nominal effect on how your site might rank for long tail terms in search.
I have several page rank 6 sites but this is no gaurantee of traffic or more importantly “quality of traffic”. As a blogger i could care less about page rank (some of my blogs have pagerank 5-6), I DO care about bringing good content forward and sharing. I call that my “human touch rank”.
That is what matters.
Cheers,
Rodney Rumford
I’m with you, Rodney,
There’s nothing, or very little — and I can’t think of what — that’s worth obsessing over in the world of blogging. OKAY, one thing: content theft, but theft is another ball game.
Still taken in its place the page rank system is a fascinating metric that is interesting to a curious mind. That people could develop something so complex and that others try to game it is so much fun to watch. 🙂
The SERPs are MUCH more important than Pagerank, IMHO. Pagerank is just an indicator that someone with a decent pagerank linked to your site. Period. It’s easy to get a decent Pagerank, as long as you’ve got good content. Whereas it’s really tricky to get your site listed in the top ten for your chosen keyphrases on Goog or the others. And getting those organic listings is what is going to allow you to build traffic and, if you do any sort of business, convert your traffic to buyers of some sort.
Only those who are novices to this whole SEO/SEM thing get hung up on Goog Pagerank. One way incoming link building shouldn’t stop just because you’ve achieved rank. That’s just the start.
Hi bj,
I think you’re so right about that. Though it seems that the first step is to get the overall page rank 6 to get Google’s and advertiser’s attention.
Comments like yours are the reason we need you. 🙂
Proving yet again, life’s a “dance” you learn as you go. But i ‘ve seen how some people worship the” G-d of Pagerank” as it were, aka nothing succeeds like obsession.
When you put your heart in it though, it can take you anywhere
GP in Montana who braved -20 and went for a nice albeit short run with manker the “B&B” dog this a.m. 🙂
Google Dance happens again earlier this month (on the 6th) I think. Anyone has any information about change of PageRank or it’s only monthly dance? I saw different result each day, how long does it become stable and consistent?
This time Google has been dancing longer than I expected. I saw some of my pages down to 6 from 1, then up to 2 from 6 and now down again. Google might be referring to the old data. maybe a big change will happen. Who knows?
Hi Nguyen Ngoc!
Welcome. I noticed some shiting last night as I was surfing pages. I don’t know what’s going on.