Archive for the Category »Page Rank «

27
Mar
Google Isn’t God

When blogging, I often reread what Google includes in their Webmaster tools If you haven’t discovered it yet, it’s a wonderful resource for anyone who has a blog or website.

Two of their statements made me contemplate how I blog.

Participate in forums related to your blog topic. Many let you include your URL link in your automatic signature.

Contribute to web forums devoted to your subject matter

When reading blogging tips, I also see bloggers expand on this by saying “stick with those blogs in the same niche as us”. That way we may get reputable links back to us which confirm to Google, we too, are “worthy”, thus possibly increasing our page rank.

I get that.

Today’s Lesson

But, what fun is that?

I don’t know about you, but I certainly don’t want to read blogs in my niche all day long. For me, there’s more to my life than just “blogging”.

I like to visit blogs that help me grow as a person, sites which teach, show beautiful art or photography, share stories that make me laugh, share stories that make me cry, plus much more.

For example,

Nearly every Sunday you’ll find me visiting Lance at Jungle of Life. He finds fabulous quotes and then adds awesome photos to accompany them. It’s a great way to start the week; with a positive uplifting message.

Keith Davis writes about public speaking, and even though I’m not into public speaking nor think I’ll ever need the information, because I like to learn more about different topics, I’ll read his writings.

Many of you know Michigan is my home state, and when Betsy of Passing Thru shares stories of her travels to Michigan, I’m there; taking it all in.

For a laugh or a brain teaser, I love to check out Junk Drawer Kathy’s posts on ““What’s That Wednesday” So far I haven’t guessed any of them, but it’s still fun to try.

Sara Healy always makes “Picture Story” posts fun by sharing a photo and inviting her readers to imagine what might be happening or contribute their experiences. Those are always a blast for me as I get to be goofy or am reminded of days gone by.

I’ve been following Silly Girl’s blog for quite some time now. She is a recovering anorexic. Eating disorders have never plagued me, but once I started reading her blog, her stories captured me to the extent I now not only follow her progress to recovery, buy enjoy keeping up on her life, as well.

And Hilary. Each post of hers is like a mini history lesson. I’ve learned more from her blog than I learned from all of the history classes I took in school.

So where am I going with this?

I’m not saying we shouldn’t visit and comment on blogs in our niche, but by expanding my horizons I’ve found I have not only learned more about other topics and have grown as a person, and in the process have met dozens of awesome bloggers.

As I was responding to a comment by Kaye Tench on the “The Secret That Keeps Us Blogging” post, I was also reminded of how when we meet and get to know other bloggers and learn what they do, not only do we get a feel for their capabilities, but we often become their biggest supporters when they launch a new site, product or ebook. And they, for us.

To me, that’s a win-win.

Today’s Assignment

What about you?

Do you take Google’s advice and only stick with blogs and/or forums in your niche?

Or do you frequent blogs that challenge you, surprise you, or help you in other ways?

signature for blog post.

P.S. When commenting, if you’d like to add links to blogs which have become your favorites, please feel free to do so. However, keep in mind, adding links may throw your comment into moderation, so be patient as I dig them out.

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Page Rank  67 Comments
25
Jan
What if Google Added “This” To Determine Page Rank

Google’s page rank is an issue that eludes/frustrates most bloggers and webmasters. How it’s calculated, is treated like a “secret sauce” recipe. A few of the ingredients are known, but no one (except Google), knows all of the ingredients. Anyone who could get their hands on the “recipe”, could potentially become a multi-millionaire, overnight.

What if Google reformulated their “recipe, and added in your credit score.

Today’s Lesson

Let’s ponder this one.

Currently insurance companies, in some states, are calculating home owner and automobile premiums, based are individual credit scores. They may call it “insurance scores”, but whatever it’s called, a lower number can result in higher premiums.

This had been taken a step further by employers, who were using credit scores as a pre screening (new applicants) technique. This practice, however, has been tightened, and in some areas, abolished.

The insurance companies are checking to see if you are in debt, your credit history, and if you pay your bills on time.

Those with great credit scores are enjoying a drastic drop in their premiums, however, many others are paying substantially more.

The reasoning behind this, is: if you have poor credit, and/or are deep in debt, you may be “tempted” to file a fraudulent claim.

It is assumed, the higher your credit score, the more responsible you are. And, if you are responsible with your money, you will be more responsible in other areas of your life.

As much as there may be some truth to this reasoning, sometimes extenuating circumstances throw individuals into financial ruin, and their credit scores plummet.

Whether that is this is taken into consideration, I have found no reports that address the issue.

So, back to pondering…..

What if Google were to partially base your page rank on your credit score?

Could Google make the assumption that: A higher credit score means you are less apt to use black hat SEO techniques? Less apt to buy links? More responsible? More trustworthy? Not likely to click on your own ads, or hire someone to? Would they make the assumption that someone with a higher credit score is more apt to create more accurate content?

Today’s Assignment

What do you think?

Would using a credit score air in creating a fairer page rank system?

Would you want Google to have that much information on you? (they probably do already)

Would we see a better caliper of blogs/websites ranking higher in the search engines, if this technique were to be implemented?

If you had a higher credit score, should you also be illegible for higher paying ads?

Do you know your credit score? if not, you should.


See How Lenders See Your FICO Score

Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons, Page Rank  Tags: , , ,  13 Comments
15
Dec
What Are Paid Links

For some time now, there has been a debate going on about Google decreasing the page rank of a website or blog, if it has “paid links”.

Today’s Lesson

So, what are paid links?

Not knowing for sure which links Google considers as “paid links”, I decided to go right to the source.

In a “must read” article, written by Matt Cutts, of Google, How to Report Paid Links, he addresses the issue of paid links, affiliate marketing, Pay per Post, submitting to directories, buying and selling links, plus several other issues. The post also includes links to others articles that provide more detailed information on these subjects.

In short, paid links are any text links, which are purchased (paid for), with the intent to try and increase page rank with search engines.

Following up on this subject, on December 1, 2007, Matt did another post on Selling Links That Pass Pagerank, that is also well worth reading.

Today’s Assignment

If you are curious about paid links, and if your blog/site is affected, please read the above mentioned articles.

Make time to read the comments also, as this issue is quite controversial.

Do you think Google should decrease the page rank of blogs or websites that contain paid links?

Do you think this move on Google’s part will affect your rank?

Do you care?

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Category: Archives, Blogging Lessons, Increase Traffic, Linking, Page Rank  Tags: , ,  2 Comments
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