Has the PR update system changed itself?

[allaffiliatepro]

Hi All,
I keep hearing about sites here and there that have had their PR change. On this forum and others. I'm starting to wonder whether google has changed the PR update system so that it is no longer updated in one go every 3 months, but an on going process?
If so then what is the trigger to set off the toolbars PR update?

Thoughts?


Lyle

[flood6]

I think its too early to even guess.

However, it seems like a constant "rolling" update would be more efficient. Google stopped the "dances" and now their SERPs seem to be constantly updating. The only large scale changes you see appear to be the result of algo tweaks. Maybe G is going to try and do the same thing with PR.

LOL, I typed the first sentence, then proceeded to do what I said couldn't be done. It's hard to resist a little speculation.

[beanstalk]

We all have to do it flood6. Try as we might, none of us can resist "the educated guess". ;)

Good guess BTW.

[DMC_34]

I doubt it is currently updating on constant basis. My new site PR 0 launched 1/23 is still a PR 0 according to the toolbar. About a 2 months ago I landed about 12 relevant PR 6's and PR 5's IBL's. Since then G has indexes the site daily. I am sure my internal PR is no longer a zero, well atleast I hope not :)

[jestep]

Here is my advice, take it as you will. Forget about Page Rank. It plays no importance in ranking and your time is better spent doing more productive things.

The exception to this is if your business makes its revenue off of peoples mis-beliefs that PR actually actually has some importance at all.

[beanstalk]

While I would be the first to agree that PageRank is generally over-valued, I think it's going a bit too far the other way to state that it has no value.

PageRank is still a reflection of how Google values your site. While the part it plays in the overall algo is certainly lower than it once was it is still a functional part of the overall calculation and thus must be taken into account when choosing link partners (relevancy first mind you) and in determining whether you or your competitors have the advantage in the one part of the algo that can actually be measured and is known.

The silver bullet? Not even close ... but definitly worth attention. Perhaps just not as much as it gets. :)

[Maloney]

I agree that PR is extremely important when trying to go out and wrestle up some inbounds. Too many won't link to your site if it is ranked 0 or even 1 or 2.

I'm starting to wonder whether google has changed the PR update system so that it is no longer updated in one go every 3 months, but an on going process?

I'm beginning to wonder that myself, but like it was said above - it's too early to tell yet.

[freehits]

havnt seen any changes in numerous domains since January. I think to disregard it is too drastic, but to regard it is also.

Its like the time, I keep looking at my watch, but knowing the time never changes it.....you just feel a responsibility to know it.

PR serves only as a measuring stick for me, it is an effect of other more important workings and not anything more.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by jestep

Here is my advice, take it as you will. Forget about Page Rank. It plays no importance in ranking and your time is better spent doing more productive things.

Man you can't say it in enough posts and threads!

For geeeett abooout it!

[allaffiliatepro]

Good to see I stired up a bit of responce. I think PR will have it's place until google decides to remove it from the toolbar. Until then people will use it as a quick reference to the quality of inbound links.

Maybe someone should create a new form of PageRank? Based on inbound links, and anchor text?


Lyle

[canistotasoftware]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

Man you can't say it in enough posts and threads!
For geeeett abooout it!

While pagerank may not mean much, try getting quality inbound links or advertising for a low or non-existent PR site without paying for it! Kind of hard to as incrediblehelp says "For geeeett abooout it!" when way to many webmasters and advertisers continue to place such a high value on this useless google toy! As long as this mentality continues to be in place you will continue to get these PR threads no matter what the actual value of PR is or becomes.

[Sapphire]

Originally Posted by DMC_34

I doubt it is currently updating on constant basis. My new site PR 0 launched 1/23 is still a PR 0 according to the toolbar. About a 2 months ago I landed about 12 relevant PR 6's and PR 5's IBL's. Since then G has indexes the site daily. I am sure my internal PR is no longer a zero, well atleast I hope not :)

DMC, that's almost exactly my situation, and I'm thinking the same thing you are. :)

[DMC_34]

Originally Posted by Sapphire

DMC, that's almost exactly my situation, and I'm thinking the same thing you are. :)

Yeah, link campaigns are The important to aspect rankings. Unfortunately without PR, new sites are doomed. Otherwise I wouldnt care about PR. Public perception in regards to links is all about PR. In my opinion it is very unprofessional for Google to continue to implement the PR toolbar but not update it. Either wipe everyone to greyed out or zero it out or update the damn thing :) Just another way to discriminate against new sites. If it really means so little then get rid of it :)

[webmasterjunkie]

DMC_34 wrote:

Yeah, link campaigns are The important to aspect rankings. Unfortunately without PR, new sites are doomed. Otherwise I wouldnt care about PR. Public perception in regards to links is all about PR. In my opinion it is very unprofessional for Google to continue to implement the PR toolbar but not update it. Either wipe everyone to greyed out or zero it out or update the damn thing :) Just another way to discriminate against new sites. If it really means so little then get rid of it :)

I have to agree with this statement first and foremost. New sites are punished in another form, whether intentional or not, by the "Google gods". Simply by not keeping an update in the PR box. If they are going to continue to use it, display it, etc. then it's only right to update it. IMO

canistotasoftware Wrote:

While pagerank may not mean much, try getting quality inbound links or advertising for a low or non-existent PR site without paying for it! Kind of hard to as incrediblehelp says "For geeeett abooout it!" when way to many webmasters and advertisers continue to place such a high value on this useless google toy! As long as this mentality continues to be in place you will continue to get these PR threads no matter what the actual value of PR is or becomes.

Most webmaster, designers, companies, etc., still place a hefty value on PR. Instead of doing some research on how long the site has been up, the quality of the content, etc., which should be done no matter what.

The term "Google Toy", was perfect. That is what it has become, however unfortunate. Have you noticed that when Google comes out with a new service/product, many people refer to it as their new "toy". It's times like these that I try to remind myself that the search engine was developed for surfers, not webmasters. But that begs the question of, "Where would Google Be Without Us?" After all, how would it even work if webmasters didn't link to other sites at all? I mean they made us a whole section on how to make sure that their bot can find our websites.

Kind of like the blind without a seeing eye dog. IMO

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by canistotasoftware

While pagerank may not mean much, try getting quality inbound links or advertising for a low or non-existent PR site without paying for it! Kind of hard to as incrediblehelp says "For geeeett abooout it!" when way to many webmasters and advertisers continue to place such a high value on this useless google toy! As long as this mentality continues to be in place you will continue to get these PR threads no matter what the actual value of PR is or becomes.

Mentality or mental, LOL? If we as designers and SEO's take time to educate the clients and potential clients on facts we would be better off:

1. The toolbar seems to update 3-4 times a year now and it is not a good source to gauge whether or not a website is ranked well.

2. The toolbar seems to update 3-4 times a year now and it is not a good source to gauge whether or not a website should link to another website.

3. You don't need a higher PR to rank above your competitors.

4. You do need "quality" IBL's with varying anchor text. What is "quality"? Quality in this sense means getting links from websites as closely related to your website. Of course this is not always possible or needed and if you can get a link on the home page of CNN.com and you may sell widgets, then more power to ya.

Now I must agree if you are selling PR from your websites then that number seems to carry weight. My question to some of you that are selling your SEO services is this:

When talking with the client about your SEO skills and what you will be doing for them...when does the subject come up that you will definitely be raising their PR in that toolbar?

I have never found myself saying anything of this sort to the client. I have found myself saying I will get rankings for you, which is what really matters, not moving a green bar in a opt-in toolbar. If a client insists that is the up-most importance to go from a PR 4 to a PR 7 without considering rankings, I try to educate them and if I am still getting road blocks I chuckle inside and move on.

[incrediblehelp]

Originally Posted by webmasterjunkie

Most webmaster, designers, companies, etc., still place a hefty value on PR. Instead of doing some research on how long the site has been up, the quality of the content, etc., which should be done no matter what.

yup, yup, yup