In the last two weeks or so, both Google and Yahoo have made adjustments to their search algorithms.

How do we know - yahoo told us (nice and easy) and Google updated their PageRank scores showing decreases for some sites (and then later told us).

It is believed that the purpose of the Google update was to lower the PageRank of sites selling links - indicated by the fact many sites known to sell links had a drop in PageRank. So was this an algorithm change or hand selected penalties? Either way the change in PageRank revealed an update of some kind.

Here is my understanding of PageRank and Google algorithm changes:

1.) The PageRank score we see in the toolbar (the visible PageRank also called the internal PageRank) is not the actual real time PageRank value. This value represents the PageRank of your website at sometime in the past. The current real time PageRank value is known only to the algorithm and a few engineers with keys to the vault.

2.) A Google algorithm change may not be seen in your visible PageRank value for days, weeks, or months after the change (read this article by Danny Sullivan section “Visible PageRank Updated”). It all depends on how soon Google updates the visible PageRank after the algorithm change. Therefore check your rankings often, as you may discover changes resulting from an algorithm update that will not be seen for weeks in your visible PageRank score (on the Google toolbar). Keep in mind the web is fluid, so even if your site is static for a given amount of time, inbound link changes or competitor website updates, may cause ranking changes to your site. Most of these off site elements can be monitored along with your website’s rankings. So the combination of monitoring external factors and your own website rankings will help you identify an algorithm change even if it occurs long before a visible PageRank update is made.

3.) Unless Google gives continuous real time PageRank scores the value can not be used to assess how well your website is optimized for the current real time algorithm, only how well your website was optimized for a dynamic algorithm at some point in the past.

4.) Does the PageRank value still have real time importance for evaluating your SEO success? Yes, a website with a PageRank of 8 will likely have a high PageRank after an algorithm update - as long as the site is using legit SEO practices. Just like a football team that has been playing very well - will likely play well the following week. (PageRank is not the only factor for determining where you rank in the Google SERP’s - but is one of great importance)

5.) These points indicate if you make updates to your site to improve natural search results, you may not see the success in your PageRank score as it may be a historic value. Look to find the most immediate results of natural search optimizations in your rankings. PageRank is the score of last week’s football game. It may help to tell you how the team will play in next week’s game, but the only way to know for sure is to watch the game. Or, PageRank is how well your site was doing last week, it may help to tell you how you will fare in an upcoming algorithm change, but the only way to know how your site is doing with the current real time algorithm is to look at your rankings.

Here is a great post from Danny Sullivan on PageRank
Here is a good post from Matt Cutts on Page Rank

Here is a good tool, allegedly when a visible PageRank update is happening the various data centers update the values at different times. If you think there may be a visible PageRank update occurring, run your site at future PageRank - if you get mixed PageRank numbers, an update is probably happening.

Add comments, PageRank is part mystery if you feel one of my statements needs clarification share your insight - especially if you stir the ingredients.

Question, how quickly does Google typically update the visible PageRank value after an algorithm change, anyone have historical info?

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