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.

Posted on January 25, 2008
Filed Under Archives, Blogging Lessons, Page Rank |

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9 Responses to “What if Google Added “This” To Determine Page Rank”

Ian Denny on January 25th, 2008 1:20 am

It’s a fascinating thought. Terrifying to me, because my page rank will plummet! I’ve deliberately chosen a path in personal finances (racked up in relation to a business failure) which means my credit rating won’t be back until 6 years after I’ve settled all the debts - in total 16 years.

So if page rank becomes important, I’ll have to really get a move on and become a financial success. Pay off the debts quicker and spend some money on credit repair to shorten the 6 years!

Or get an alter ego to blog with?

Luckily the company blog would be okay as it has a good credit rating. So as long at they rank companies based upon the entity rather than individuals within it, we should be okay.

Ian Denny’s last blog post..Struggling Or Going Bust? Traffic Lights To Turnaround And Success
Opal Tribble - Vegan Momma on January 25th, 2008 2:52 am

I don’t think it would be accurate. In my early twenties I had “bad credit” and it wasn’t becuase I didn’t pay my bills on time. I always paid them but I rarely used credit cards and I paid my bills in full. You should have seen the look of disbelief when I wasn’t great. I couldn’t believe it especially since I wasn’t in debt. I thought that was insane.
Hunter Nuttall on January 25th, 2008 7:39 am

GEICO has a thing where you can decide to let them check your credit record, which might result in lower payments if it’s really good, but will not result in higher payments no matter what. It sounds good in principle, but I don’t think credit scores are calculated terribly well (Opal gives a good example). I wouldn’t want to see some blogs get a boost for their credit rating while other blogs didn’t because their credit scores are lower than they really should be.

Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Consider Having A Blog, No Matter Who You Are
Catherine Lawson on January 25th, 2008 8:17 am

I too think that credit card scores are calculated as unfairly as page rank. My rating is not great. I don’t have huge debts - but I don’t have a mortgage either; which seems to go against me.

Also, because I was a sole trader in my last business - van loans etc are all in my personal name, so that goes against me too.

Mind you, my page rank is rubbish anyway; so I don’t think anything could make it much worse.

Catherine Lawson’s last blog post..3 Business Ideas To Die For
Barbara on January 25th, 2008 10:01 am

Hello Ian, Opal, Hunter & Catherine,

Isn’t it amazing how we see most systems are flawed? I think anytime we try to fit everyone into the same “box”, we see this happen.

Then, we have the issue of those that are trying to “beat the system”. No matter what safeguards are put into place, “they” will always be find a way around it.

I believe Google realizes it’s page rank system is terribly flawed. They also know it can be manipulated. It will be fascinating to see what they do to remedy the problem.

Suggestions, anyone?

In the meantime, as bloggers, the best thing we can do, is to try and continually provide good content for our readers.

Barbara’s last blog post..What if Google Added “This” To Determine Page Rank
Catherine Lawson on January 25th, 2008 9:11 pm

Hi Barbara - I wish I could think of a way we could improve the Page Rank system. We could set up our own search engine then everyone would link to us anyway.

Catherine Lawson’s last blog post..3 Business Ideas To Die For
Barbara on January 25th, 2008 11:02 pm

Hi Catherine,

If you, or anyone out there, could create a fool proof, tamper proof, page rank system, I do believe the public would be the winners. Their searches would reveal the best of the best.

Barbara’s last blog post..What if Google Added “This” To Determine Page Rank
Ian Denny on January 26th, 2008 3:25 am

By the way - your feng shui article had it’s effect. Realised white space was better.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Ian Denny’s last blog post..Want A Better Business? Build A Better Mousetrap
Barbara on January 26th, 2008 3:01 pm

Ian,

Oh my gosh! I went to your site, and couldn’t believe the difference. It looks amazing. Great job!

I’m glad you were able to pull some inspiration from the Feng Shui post.

Barbara’s last blog post..What if Google Added “This” To Determine Page Rank