Google PageRank Formula: Changes Over Time - Changes to that Simple Calculation Over Time
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The original PageRank formula may still serve as a general guideline for providing an estimate of the potential PageRank from a donor page. The originally published formula no longer tells the entire story. It has only served as a very rough estimate for quite some time. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that all discussions of the Google PageRank formula are purely speculative. No one knows the precise calculations involved, and Google isn’t talking.
Since the original PageRank formula was published, Google has made some important changes in its method of PageRank calculation. In the past, the PageRank of any given web page was important in its own right. Little emphasis was placed on the relevant relationship between the sending and recipient pages. With the addition of a number of possible extra dampers, along with Topic Sensitive PageRank, simply having an incoming link from a page doesn’t ensure the full transfer of PageRank.
It is becoming apparent to most Google watchers that all incoming links do not provide equal levels of PageRank transfer. By that I mean you don’t appear to receive as much PageRank flow from a page that is not about a similar topic as your receiving page. On the other hand, a page sharing the same or at least complementary topics will receive a greater amount of PageRank inflow.
The old idea of any PageRank will transfer to your page simply doesn’t appear to be the case any longer. While all incoming links transfer some degree of PageRank, as per the original formula, there are now additional layers of calculations being made regarding the inflow levels. The reason for the change is probably to make search results more relevant. Improving search results is an overarching goal for the Google team, and algorithm and formula changes are ongoing as a result.
While PageRank may not be the most important or even a major portion of the Google algorithm, it still carries some weight. The Google algorithm, especially since the infamous "Florida update", has placed more emphasis on links, link anchor text, and relevance. The changes to the PageRank formula reflect those alterations as well.
Next: The Introduction of Topic Sensitive PageRank >>
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