I wanted to get some opinions on the Google Toolbar. I know there are many free tools that you can use to get a reading on PR, but some top SEO consultants have said that the only reliable source for getting PR is the Google Toolbar. I think the main problem with using big G's toolbar is that they monitor where you go on the net if you have PR enabled. What do you think? Is it worth them tracking you to get an accurate reading of PageRank? Could Google penalize or discount your link building efforts if you use their toolbar?
Everyone is monitoring your activity so don't worry about it. You can't stop it. I use G's toolbar for looking at a page's page rank, link, and last indexed date. G also will not penalize you for using it.
It matters if they penalize your efforts, which is why I asked the question. It's true that everyone is monitoring you, but the more Google knows, the more they can thwart SEO efforts.... maybe I should go put my tinfoil hat back on.
I've always used SearchStatus. I didn't realise that their toolbar may not be as effective as Google's. I guess I have the same question then... Should I switch?
Exactly. I've used Search Status ever since I started learning SEO, but over the last two days, Search Status has been giving me incorrect PR and Alexa values. Using a web based PR checker like this one, http://www.dlls.info, helps, but it's not as fast as looking at Search Status or the Google Toolbar. I installed the Gbar yesterday and it has been showing the correct PR every time, but I'm leery of letting Google know what websites I'm hitting up... the last thing I want to do is undercut my efforts.
Download Firefox and use a plug in. And Google doesn't have the staff to single you out unless you are worth singling out.
Even if you don't use Google's Toolbar but you are using Google Search, you are still being monitored by the big G. Google had admitted that monitoring activity. And I agree that Google's Toolbar is the most reliable tool to check a site's PR. Not only that, it will save you a lot of time as you don't need to go to another site, type a URL and check a site's PR.
I am removing my google resources: first the analytics isn't showing correct results ... then the adsense is not very profitable but it takes precious space ... there are scripts to get the PR ...
I have strictly avoided using any tool bars..be it of Yahoo or google.. I somehow am not comfortable using it...and I rely mainly on search status for PR rank info. I did not know search status was showing incorrect info. since last 2 days!