PageRank
PageRank is an algorithm used by Google to measure the importance and quality of a page to help rank it within search results. As a key element to Google’s algorithm, it is important to understand how PageRank is determined and how it is used. We cover this within our SEO Office Hours takeaways below, along with further insights from Google.
To learn more about search engines, read our introductory guide: How Do Search Engines Work?
PageRank Can be Passed Through Meta Refresh Redirects But They’re Not Advised
Avoid using meta refresh as a redirect as these can have accessibility issues, especially when a 301 redirect can be used instead. If Google can recognise a meta refresh redirect PageRank will be passed across though.
Links Not Visible by Default Will Still Pass PageRank if They’re in HTML
Google will only process and pass PageRank for links that are in the HTML, which also applies to links not visible by default.
Links to Different Language Sites Provide Same Value as Same Language Links
Links to a different language site provide the same value as links to same language sites.
Different Country Versions of Content Can Dilute Value of Original Content
Creating different country versions of pages in the same language can dilute the value of the original content and mean that other sites may rank for this term. John recommends working with people who have experience of working with large international sites so you can get the balance right of having pages that are useful to visitors in different countries while not the diluting value of these pages.
Link Position Doesn’t Influence Weight
Google doesn’t give more weight to internal links based on their position on a page.
Place Links to Important Pages Higher in a Site Hierarchy
Make sure links to your most important pages are relatively high up in a site hierarchy so Googlebot and users can reach them quickly and so Google can pass Pagerank more quickly.
Google Recognises When a Different Site is Launched on an Old Domain
When a new site appears on a domain that was previously used by a different site or company, Google attempts to recognise it as a different site.
PageRank to Noindex Pages is Passed On
PageRank from links to pages which are noindexed will still be passed on to other pages via internal links.
Link Position Doesn’t Affect Weight
The position of links in content doesn’t affect the weighting.
Noindex Pages Pass Authority but Might Be Dropped over Time
A noindexed page can still pass link authority through its followed links, but if it remains noindexed for a long time, Google may drop the page and the authority will be lost.