Five faq about google pagerank

1. What is PageRank and why should I care about it?

PageRank is a expression that assigns a value to every page in the
Google index. Google displays hunt results based on an
algorithmic rule which includes the value of PageRank. So the higher
your site's PageRank, the more probably it is that you will
receive a top list on the hunt result page when person
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 expression for PageRank posted on net websites and
forums but have failed to see anyone give a satisfactory
explanation of the expression. The expression appears so composite you
would likely have to be a mathematician to even have a opportunity
to decipher it anyhow. It looks something like this:

PR(A) = (1-d) + d(PR(t1)/C(t1) + ... + PR(tn)/C(tn))

I will effort to explain it for you in plain English language. 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 illustration, 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.