Search Engine Optimization And The PageRank Myth

Writing by Nick Stamoulis on Friday, April 4, 2008 Leave a comment

One of the biggest Search Engine Optimization myths is that, by undertaking search engine optimization, you are trying to manipulate PageRank. There is an over reliance and over emphasis on PageRank, particularly as it is displayed in tool bars. My advice to everyone, turn off your PageRank display, or, at the very least, learn to ignore it.

First, a quick view of PageRank as it is displayed on your toolbar. The number you see is a result of where that page was on a particular day at a single point in time, generally published every three months – although that is unreliable in itself. Any search engine optimization strategies undertaken after that point in time will have no effect until the next release.

PageRank is actually a mystical ranking that is forever in flux, never still, never the same. More importantly, the ranking you see may be a score from three or more months ago so it is totally unreliable. If it is unreliable; it has no value; if it has not value, turn it off.

Search engine optimization is all about improving that page in a wide variety of areas. PageRank after all is only a Google assessment. SEO strategies need to take into account Yahoo!, MSN and other search engines. In fact, the main strategy in optimizing your pages is in the final SERP placement for that page and how high you can get your page listed on each of the search engines.

No professional Search Engine Optimization expert will ever look PageRank as a factor in their work. To get a real indication of your search engine optimization strategies, undertake your own search on each of the search engines using your keywords or key phrases. Irrespective of PageRank, you will find that at different times using the same keywords, your place in the results will often change.

PageRank is an unreliable side result of search engine optimization strategies. Side result? Yes. It is not an end result. End results are reflected by your placement in the search results and ultimately, by the number of visitors you receive through those search engines. SEO and PageRank – forget the PageRank and concentrate on what is important, getting those visitors onto your site.

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