Hi, Does Google Page Rank really mean anything? Yes I know it really means something but are we placing far too much thought into gaining a higher PR? I run a website in a niche industry and only use the site to generate some Adsense revenue. Today I checked the rankings and was amazed to find that it has 40+ No.1 search rankings on Google. I have been through the search phrases and noticed that my site is only a PR2 but it still outranks other websites with a higher PR. If PR is so important why does a PR2 outrank a site of PR5? Here is a link to all the search results: http://www.prestonswebhosting.com/leathers.htm
Backlinks matter, page rank is a measure of backlinks. Page rank doesn't directly matter. You work it out
Prestons: Many websmasters argue that PR does not mean much. I disagree! I also rank high with a PR3 site for certain terms (outrank many PR4 and even PR5 sites) That is done through great optimzation and great backlinks with the right text (although slightly less competive keywords). This is the point I am trying to make: Let's say we have the same exact website, with the same exact backlinks, and same tags, everything equal (although this is ficticous it is just for an example). The only difference is somehow I have a PR3 and you have a PR4 or higher, your site will rank higher in Google! There obviously is some weight to the PR sytem, although it is believed to be reduced greatly the past couple of years. I do agree it is not as strong as it once was, but it does still add to your ranking. Just as an example, look for a very competitive keyword. You will be hardpressed to find any listing with a lower PR than 4 or 5. Really competitive and you might not find anything on the first page with less than PR7. Does PR matter? It certainley does! Since I am new to this board, would you mind adding to my reputation (I want to post in some other boards)? Thank you
A site can get high PR from a link on an unrelated site, without it actually helping in the SERPs. However, if a site's PR was received from mostly related sites, then that's when the PR comes into play. Some have described it as a tie breaker between relevant sites.
Well.... If your wanting to make money from advertising you better have a high PR or no one will buy an advertising slot from you.
PR don't mean much.. Backlinks does but you need some high PR sites to link back to you to get higher in search engines. That is why PR is important when buying/selling links.
I agree with Seo Dan, that backlinks are important, but I disagree with PR being not important. Backlinks are the reason for PR. PR is a measure of backlinks. With low quality backlinks, you get a lower PR. With better backlinks you get a higher PR (eventually). Yes it is the backlinks that are the most important. But PR is the guide for the webmaster, to exchange with great quality backlinks. You want a link exchange with a site. How do you know how important the site is? You check PR and plug in the PR forumla, to tell how important the link exchange is. Without the PR, you would have a harder time getting higher rankings in Google as you would exchange with sites that weren't as important, or even banned! Althgouh Backlinks are the backbone of PR. The PR does matter (to the webmaster to be able to get higher ranking)! If PR doesn't matter, then why does Google Use it?
OK, we have established that PR and backlinks are important but then why is our domain higher ranked than a site with a higher PR and more backlinks? All I have done with this site is created it and just left it alone. Now it is No.1 on Google and outranks the best in the niche!!
Sadly that is google and it's problem's still seem to hunt it. But the basic funda is still same rank higher at Search results thats more than enough who needs a PR if u rank well.