Is PageRank still a valid SEO tool?
The value of the Google PageRank toolbar in search engine optimisation circles remains a highly debated item, as are most matters dealing with SEO.
Some SEO specialists say it has no value at all, whilst others argue that it gives you a general overview of your website performance in the in the Google index.
Regardless of who is right, the PageRank toolbar should not be ignored nor place on a pedestal as the be all and end all of Google SEO.
So what is the Google PageRank toolbar?
The Google PageRank toolbar is a simple tool you can download and place on your browser. When you surf the web, this toolbar will give you Google’s PageRank for the webpage you are on.
For more information on PageRank you cab visit an earlier article of mine “PageRank Explainedâ€
The Major PageRank Confusion:
Many people have suggested that Google is not providing the real value of the page in the first place, and that their toolbar is often out of date.
Complicating matters even further are marketers who try to manipulate their own PageRank by buying or exchanging links with other high PageRank sites.
Many SEO experts believe that Google has a long list of ranking factors which determine how well your page is ranked. Among others, these ranking factors include Google’s PageRank algorithm (voting system) and Hypertext-Matching Analysis (analyzing page content).
Google’s Official Position:
If you visit Google’s website for an explanation you will find that Google clearly states that its patented PageRankâ„¢ algorithm is the heart of their web ranking system.
You will also discover that Google says it uses numerous other factors “including PageRank†to examine the whole web and find the most relevant and important pages to match a specific search for their users quesries.
At present PageRank takes into consideration over “500 million variables and 2 billion terms” when finding the most important pages. Google makes it clear that each page casts a vote for another page and this is reflected in the PageRank.
Votes from certain websites or pages might have greater value than others. “Important pages receive a higher PageRank and appear at the top of the search results.”
So, is PageRank still a valid SEO tool?
The short answer is YES, but with a slight word of caution. Just like all SEO tactics don’t put all your eggs in one basket. PageRank is important and most likely always will be, but it only makes up one small part of the entire equation.
Use PageRank as a gentle guide for selecting link partners, and check your own PageRank from time to time… but don’t forsake sites with a lower PageRank, simply because the number is low, remember there are many other factors that also weigh in.
Get your free Google Toolbar here:
johan said,
Wrote on March 16, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Hey Justin,
I have a question for you that I have asked now on 2 different forums but nobody can answer me. I mentioned on another comment somewhere that I want to start a few article directories and also do one just for South Africa. I have a number of PR 1-3 domains and decided to use the one http://oz.am for a article directory. I was going to dump this domain but checked and it had PR1 which is not to bad for the time I have had it. I basically purchase the 2 letter domain so that I can make my own sub domains that look like "domains" name.oz.am etc. I have already installed the article script and it is working well and need to think of .co.za domain so will get back to you when that is done.
Now my question;
I have 4 ip's on my server. Will it be negative or positive in terms of google SEO if they all on the same IP or would it be better to have them each on there own IP. As you know PR is the "in thing" when it comes to article directories and I don't want to damage the PR on this site or the other domains I have by using the same IP address
I am planning on distributing a ton of articles via UAW and other services + good back links to these sites to increase the PR
PS this post is not to get exposure on the site but I need to know what to do here as having a dedicated IP on each domain is no problem as it is cheap
JustinHarrison said,
Wrote on March 16, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
Johan the short answer is yes, you should have separate IP address for each, this is a big factor especially when there will be a great deal of outbound links.
The other thing you need to take into consideration is location of IP address, make sure is geo targeted to the country you are serving.
Johan said,
Wrote on March 16, 2010 @ 8:13 pm
Thanks for the reply Justin In terms of the South African Directory would it make much of a difference if the IP is in the USA otherwise cost wise it could be expensive to try and host it locally. Wouldn't doing a .com domain with a SA flavor be a better option and then only allow SA publishers only on there to publish to keep it local. I don't mind doing it on my US server as the cost would be minimal. Then do you think it will work doing a SA only article directory. I mean are there enough local people that understand the benefits of using article marketing and how to use it. Your valued input will be much appreciated
JustinHarrison said,
Wrote on March 17, 2010 @ 11:34 am
If it is for the local market, it should be hosted locally – for SEO value.