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 Five FAQ
About Google PageRank
by: Patrick Carlow
Five FAQ about Google
PageRank
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 possibly 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.
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