Be careful when declaring one site the traffic champion over another if you're basing your conclusion on Alexa data. While Alexa data can be useful as an indicator, webmasters should remember that the data collected via the Alexa toolbar is limited to those who've actually downloaded the toolbar. And that demographic is, typically, other webmasters. This point has been illustrated several times over the years, but most recently popped up again when YouTube was shown to attract more visitors than parent company Google. TechCrunch's Michael Arrington notes that several tipsters have pointed to Alexa as justification: We’ve gotten a few “tips†that YouTube has actually grown larger than Google in terms of page views according to Alexa . This is, of course, complete fiction. And it shows just how useless Alexa has become as a method for measuring web traffic and reach. While Google gets 100 billion (wow!) monthly page views, YouTube is still bringing just 16 billion (still, wow!). This has happened before, as mentioned earlier, when online hall monitors declared YouTube a defeater of MySpace, and when Matt Cutts noted that his blog was more popular than Ask.com…which seems anymore like a prophecy rather than a blatant fallacy. But anyway, just be careful with your Alexa proclamations. While an indicator of what's hip, Alexa numbers are by no means an indicator of the larger truth. Add +reps if you think this information is use full for you. Thanks! Imran
i find it useless as well but many advertisers take in consideration as a third party, together with technorati. A high alexa rank can get you a better deal with adverts.
Alexa Rankings can be manipulated so don't rely on Alexa much, I rely on SERP ranking than that of Alexa Ranking...
Yes I find it funny how advertisers take into account a sites alexa ranking when you can easily find services that can manipulate your alexa ranking for a fee. Two reasons why I don't pay much attention to alexa ranking are: 1. The stats compiled in there system is from people who either have the toolbar or a plugin installed while viewing the website. Thus making the stats very inaccurate because not everyone uses there toolbar or plugin. 2. ANY WEBSITE can have there alexa ranking increased for a fee. Check out the DP buy/sell/trade I bet you can find a handful of people offering the service. Nothing against those people at all, just goes to show you however to not fully trust and or take into consideration an alexa ranking for a website. Steve
I read a thread yesterday where someone said that a site he made yesterday and got 5 hits a day had a higher alexa ranking than a 3 month old 500 hits per day site.
Why then does some advertising companies use that to judge your website? It makes no sense for them to use that if they know the results can be skewed. And surely they know!!
It's easy to have high Alexa ranking, just install the toolbar and open your browser 100 times per day for 1 month.
Yes, i agree, alexa count only the ppl that has its tool bar.. I never met anyone that have that toolbar on his computer... i wont how many % actualy have it... anyone knows?
something is just fishy with alexa rankings. How can myspace be number 5? there are mostly teenagers that use myspace. Do you really think a 15 year old girl has the alexa toolbar installed?
i think google should release its analytics stats and go with that instead. I am sure its more accurate then alexa data.