Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:52 am Post subject: What on earth is Page Rank?
Hello, forum friends,
I know I stick my head out, ready to be chopped off (a good old English tradition), but on behalf of myself and (I believe) a lot of newcomers here, what's this PR all about?
I have noticed in my Google bar, that I have a growing green bar, but how can I determine if it's Google ranking 1,2,3,4 or whatever?
* What does it mean?
* Am I very popular (my site, that is, of course)
* How do I achieve that?
* Is it a ranking of some sort?
* What's the importance to me?
I think a lot of newbies (me included) would be very happy with an explanation and understanding of what this is. I am just interested in Google ranking (business), not Alexa (great fun for special interests).
Ok, I'll opt for the simple explanation, but if you want a detailed one, Sean Burns made a great post you might want to search for.
Quote:
I have noticed in my Google bar, that I have a growing green bar, but how can I determine if it's Google ranking 1,2,3,4 or whatever?
Hold your mouse over the bar and an alt window should appear stating what your ranking is.
Quote:
* What does it mean?
It is Google's way of ranking popularity using links into a site ... the more quality links into your site you have, the higher your PR becomes.
Quote:
* Am I very popular (my site, that is, of course)
It can mean popularity in that Google sees your site as being popular because it is linked to from quality sites and gives you a ranking boost because of that.
Quote:
* How do I achieve that?
Get quality links into your site ... exchange links with on topic, quality sites, get listed in directories (yahoo, dmoz, on topic directories)
Quote:
* Is it a ranking of some sort?
Yes it is ... ideally if you took 2 exact sites, using the same content, structure, keyphrases etc ... and one had 10 quality links in, and the other had no links in ... the first site would appear first in results over the 2nd site. (Keep in mind this is a very simplified explanation, there are many more factors than just PR that determine ranking).
Quote:
* What's the importance to me?
Better SE placement
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
Debs,
Your post should be in front of every newbie!
Thank you so much. You know I actually don't care too much myself, my site is sort of a CV and exploring experience, but I am sure that many uncertain people here will learn much from your answer.
Sean,
That is an awesome link. As a computer professional, I have to study it. However, you deliver all the time. Thanks for joining the forum. This link was impressive, I'm logging out, have to do some reading... _________________ DatabaseDesigner
The complete guide to eBooks! Watch your visitors LIVE with VisitorVille! Enter "visitcity" to get lifetime 10% off
BTW, if you like to read about the technical side of search engines, this page is useful as well - http://www.cs.cornell.edu/home/kleinber/. Most importantly the PDF called Authoritative sources in a hyperlinked environment.
That algo is probably used (with some tweaks) by Teoma and is often referenced by other Algo's such as Hilltop and possibly LocalRank. Google doesn't use the "Kleinberg Algo" but if they are using HillTop or LocalRank, that paper will give you a greater understanding of how it works.
Just one little point to add: The toolbar PR rank is simply a visualisation tool. The numbers involved (PR6 or whatever) are not your "real" PR numbers.
No-one knows quite how the real PR figures get converted into toolbar PR, however it appears to be some sort of logarithmic scale. So PR6 is far more than twice as good as PR3. _________________ Wyrdology - For all things strange
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: What on earth is Page Rank?
Sean,
Thanks for the papers. I love a bit of light reading.
Seriously, if anyone wants a good layman's overview with practical emphasis, I reckon Sean's "Rankings Revealed" is excellent. Leslie Rohde's "Dynamic Linking" is excellent, too.
[Planet Ocean may be golden, but a second opinion never hurt. ]
I'm pretty fussy about who I believe when it comes to SEs. I can spread conjecture well enough myself.
Cheers,
Charlie.
P.S.
DatabaseDesigner wrote:
I know I stick my head out, ready to be chopped off (a good old English tradition), but on behalf of myself and (I believe) a lot of newcomers here, what's this PR all about?
The axe is always kept sharp - as if I need to tell a Viking that. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 12:33 am Post subject: Re: What on earth is Page Rank?
Charlie wrote:
[Planet Ocean may be golden, but a second opinion never hurt. ]
I'm pretty fussy about who I believe when it comes to SEs. I can spread conjecture well enough myself.
Plant Ocean may be golden, however it's subscription based...
Also I'm usually wary of websites which only have a handful of backlinks.
Perhaps in this case it's only because the access is subscription based.
As far as I know searchenginewatch.com is commonly regarded the main authority when it comes to search engines. And it's free... with 1000's (no kidding) of articles regarding all aspects of search engines.
Of course a subscription is also available for people who want even more.
As far as I know searchenginewatch.com is commonly regarded the main authority when it comes to search engines. And it's free... with 1000's (no kidding) of articles regarding all aspects of search engines.
SearchEngineWatch is an excellent resource - just keep in mind that some of the information could be a bit old. All articles have dates so you can see if it would still be relevant.
For example, it says that if you don't get listed at DMOZ in 3 weeks, you should re-submit. Never do that. It pushes your submission to the bottom of the pile and will extend the time it takes to get listed.
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:38 am Post subject: Re: What on earth is Page Rank?
Hello Steve.
-Steve- wrote:
Plant Ocean may be golden, however it's subscription based...
I noticed that, too...
Quote:
As far as I know searchenginewatch.com is commonly regarded the main authority when it comes to search engines.
Depends who you ask, I suppose. I have had good information from the site and Danny S via email. For that I'm grateful.
One criticism of it might be "fragmented" - I know the info's in there somewhere, but I can't always find it. I just find it easier to use Planet Ocean. The way the content is kept more current is another thing.
Quote:
And it's free... with 1000's (no kidding) of articles regarding all aspects of search engines.
Talking hypothetically, do you think free and quantity are the best ways of judging the value of information, web-based or otherwise?
Not sure I do.
Quote:
Of course a subscription is also available for people who want even more.
Not surprisingly, this is where the best bits are (or were when I paid).
It's the same old trade off. Time or money.
Cheers,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Your host: Allan Gardyne. Earning a good living from affiliate
programs since 1998.
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Private Messages
Log in
,
]
