Sloppy PageRank update?

Posted by multippt

Seems like Google had it all half done, probably one of the very few times you get to see Google make a few mistakes here and there. The last known change in PageRank was in 10th January 2008. I was hoping this update to continue, but it stopped right there - exactly half-way through. Then again, this whole “update” may not be the real update yet; it might be a prelude to the major one.

Hit-and-miss

The update is like a barrel of machine gun rounds. Not all your pages get hit by it. If you are lucky, your main page gets updated, if not, then you’ll see newer PageRank on your least expected pages. It’s all totally random. So, it’s not too surprising to see higher PageRanks in internal pages compared to the main page, as much as a difference of 4. About 10% of pages get hit, so you have a few pages with a new PageRank, while most of your other ones keep the same PageRank (or have none).

As the new PageRank takes values from links, Google only update pages with an updated “link” report (i.e. via the not-so-reliable “link:” command). The update in the link command is also yet another hit-and-miss, except that more pages experience updates in the links displayed.

Nuked PageRanks

Google hasn’t stopped with the penalties. Certain sites are getting further penalized, notably blogs dealing with paid reviews. Strangely, Search Engine Roundtable is penalized as well (and to think that the official Google blog is actually linking to the site in its blogroll). Technorati is another example with its PageRank nuked off; no it’s not just a normal penalty, Technorati now no longer has any PageRank (not even PR0 for the main page), even internal pages are not spared from Google’s wraith, or maybe all that could be a mistake on Google’s part (ah, brings backs memories when Google accidentally penalized its own Youtube).

The average site gets Google praise

Well, that’s for high-profile pages. Fortunately, small sites with established PageRanks get to benefit from this small update. Unfortunately, small and new sites which do not get established PageRanks do not get the same kind treatment. Remember hit-and-miss? Seems like Google is more prone to “missing” your main page, and prefers to hit your inside pages instead.

Covering up mistakes?

Toolbar pagerank is no longer telling the truth. Instead, let’s now refer to something more accurate, Google directory. For some strange reason, Google did not reflect penalties in the directory, so the directory should contain the most accurate values. Technorati for example, is supposed to have probably PR7. Engadget and Gizmodo is supposed to have approximately the same PageRank as well.

Though, this sort of method for checking PageRank works only on sites who have been listed with the Dmoz directory. While Dmoz is supposingly “open”, it seems near impossible to get entered into Dmoz, and even if you managed to make the cut, delays will come. In addition, the PageRank shown is probably newer than the ones dished out in this update.

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Don’t forget that PageRank is just a number.