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1. What is PageRank and why should I care about it?
PageRank is a formula that assigns a value to every page in the
Google index. Google displays search results based on an algorithm
which includes the value of PageRank. So the higher your site's
PageRank, the more likely it is that you will receive a top
listing on the search result page when someone types in the
keywords for your site.
2. How can I view the PageRank of my own or other websites?
It's very simple to see anyone's PageRank. Just download and
install the Google toolbar. It's a very quick and easy install.
Just be sure to choose the Advanced option during the install so
the PageRank of each site you visit will be displayed on the
toolbar.
3. How is PageRank calculated?
I've seen a formula for PageRank posted on Internet websites and
forums but have failed to see anyone give a satisfactory
explanation of the formula. The formula appears so complex you
would probably have to be a mathematician to even have a chance to
decipher it anyway. It looks something like this:
PR(A) = (1-d) + d(PR(t1)/C(t1) + ... + PR(tn)/C(tn))
I will attempt to explain it for you in plain English. Basically
it works like this. The more links that point to your website the
higher your PageRank will be. The higher the PageRank of the
referring page that has your link on it, the more PageRank you
receive from Google. For every outgoing link that a page has, the
value of those links drop. So for example, a link from a page with
a PageRank of 4, and only 3 other links, is worth more than a page
with a PageRank of 5 and 100 links. It is also believed that
Google assigns more value to a link that comes from a site with
similar content. So as you can see, there are many variables when
calculating PageRank.
4. How do I increase my PageRank?
Again, PageRank can be increased by the number of incoming links
to your website from other sites on the Internet. In addition, it
requires anywhere from five to seven times more to get from one
level of PageRank to the next.
So for example, (and this is not a true formula) if 100 PageRank 3
sites with a link to your page give you a PageRank of 4, then it
would take around 500 more PageRank 3 sites to link to you before
you became PageRank 5. However if you had 1 link from a PageRank 8
site, that might be enough to give a higher PageRank all by its
self. It's really all relative and trying to figure it out will
simply drive you mad, so don't bother. :) The best thing you can
do is obtain as many quality incoming links from other sites with
similar content as you possible can.
Another important factor is the number of pages on your site. The
more pages on your site, the higher potential you have to gain in
PageRank. More pages doesn't mean you will get a higher PageRank
only that you won't hit a ceiling. Apparently Google has a cut off
point somewhere on the highest PageRank it will give to sites with
a low number of pages.
5. When will my PageRank be updated or change?
According to the Google website, they update the index about once
a month. However if you spend any amount of time reading search
engine forums, you will find that results vary for every
webmaster. PageRank may not update or may change drastically for a
long period of time which is often times unexplainable. Usually as
long as you follow good web site optimization techniques and
maintain enough quality incoming links, the index will eventually
assign your website PageRank and adjust any changes which may have
been made in error.
About the Author:
Patrick Carlow
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