Google PageRank: Is it Still Relevant in 2023?

The Internet as we know it today looked different than it did in the early days. Website authority based on links pointing to them is now considered the norm. But it was revolutionary in 1998 when Google introduced the Google PageRank algorithm to make outbound link evaluation a valid ranking factor.

They say Google PageRank laid the groundwork and made the web search engine the behemoth it is today. Many know it not only as Google’s best algorithm but also as a ranking system that has admirably stood the test of time.

However, if you ask Google, there are more questions than answers, and the comments can be confusing. The company has acknowledged PageRank’s important role since the beginning but has reportedly released conflicting reports on the algorithm’s status.

With public ratings no longer appearing in search engine toolbars, it’s easy to assume this metric is no longer relevant to search engine optimization (SEO). However, content rankings are affected behind the scenes, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with them.

What Is Google PageRank?

PageRank is an algorithm used to rank websites based on the number and quality of links to the website. Developed in 1998 by Google pioneers Larry Page and Sergey Brin, it was the first successful attempt by a search engine to rank the authority of a particular web page. Essentially, this means that pages with more backlinks will rank higher.

As the engineers explained in the original paper, PageRank was intended to “bring order to the web” by assigning weights to pages. They built an algorithm around the idea that random web surfers visit the site and click on links to visit other sites. The probability that a random surfer will land on a particular page is the PageRank of that page. Scores are calculated based on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 10. 10 represents the most authoritative web source available.

PageRank is an objective measure that aligns with the subjective intent of searchers.

The more sources referencing a page, the more valuable the information on that page and the more likely users are to visit it.

However, the referrer is not the same. The number of pages linking to them is also measured.

The more backlinks a referencing page has, the more PageRank power it gives the linked page. Let’s take a closer look.

How it’s calculated?

where,

• A= the analyzed page
• T1…Tn is the page referring to the analyzed page
• C is the number of links placed on the analyzed page
• d is a decay factor equal to the probability of a user exiting the page (usually set to 0.85).

PageRank is distributed when sites cite and vote for other sites.

Does Google Still Use PageRank?

Yes, Google still uses PageRank.

It may not be a metric accessible to website owners, but algorithms still use it.

In his tweet, Google Senior analyst John Mueller confirmed that Pagerank is still used as his ranking signal.

Why is PageRank important for SEO?

The exact search engine ranking algorithm remains unknown, but it’s safe to assume that PageRank still influences the SERPs. Backlinks can establish or destroy domain authority and affect your PageRank score. Therefore, practices such as link-building should become part of your SEO strategy.

Here are some useful external linking tips you can implement to improve your PageRank:

Look for quality backlinks: Links from trustworthy sites can induce a lot of link juice. Consistently posting quality content and finding guest posting opportunities on reputable sites can help.

Avoid broken links: Broken links waste link juice and lower your PageRank. Ensure your internal links are working and your external website links to your page correctly.

Encourage organic link-building: Engaging content that resonates with your audience can naturally increase backlinks. In particular, his long-form content, strategic keywords, and other helpful SEO practices are helpful.

Be present on social media: Promoting your brand on social media creates opportunities for backlinks and re-shares.

Use a backlink checker tool: By auditing your backlinks regularly, you can spot red flags such as spam that undermines your domain authority and links from untrustworthy websites.

Internal links can also help PageRank and its SEO efforts, so remember to reference your posts, especially the content that matters. Most of the SEO plugins, such as Yoast, help identify opportunities for internal linking. Internal links help Google understand your site’s structure and assess its relevance, page relationships, and usability.

Conclusion 

Although Google discontinued its Toolbar PageRank a few years ago, this metric is still relevant to your SEO. While you shouldn’t obsess over it, remember that your internal linking structure and relevant external links influence your website’s search engine rankings.