Google PageRank Formula: Changes Over Time - A Theoretical Example
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A very basic and highly simplified example might help to explain the newly implemented process. Keep in mind that the numbers used are purely for illustration and are in no way indicative of the actual formula. They are only to show the importance of topic to the new PageRank calculation.
A sending page with no topic relationship at all to the receiving page, divided among many outgoing links would transfer PageRank of 1 point. The PageRank passed along would be the minimum amount.
A donor page with no topic relationship, but few outgoing links, might transfer 2 points.
Having a topic relationship with the receiving page, but with the outgoing page dividing its PageRank between many links, might pass along 3 points of PageRank.
A page with close topic relationship to the catchment page, and few outgoing links, might send along 4 points of PageRank.
As seen in the theoretical example, topic relationship is vital to the newer PageRank formula. The number of outgoing links from the page remains, as always, an important factor in the calculation. Nothing has changed in that respect. The more ways the donor PageRank has to be divided, the less power there is to go around.
Conclusion
There is little doubt among search engine professionals that the method of calculating Google PageRank has changed over time. The mystery remains, however, in how the formula is currently being applied.
Clearly, the original PageRank formula has been replaced. The newer mathematical basis is quite likely Topic-Sensitive PageRank based. That means, in its most simple form, that pages with similar content will help another web page much more than pages with no topic relationship at all.
The refinement of the PageRank formula is an ongoing process at Google. In their attempt to make PageRank more relevant and to remain a viable part of their overall search algorithm, the Google engineers continue to fine tune their calculations.
Expect more changes to the PageRank formula over time. Those alterations will likely be made with a goal of being more topic sensitive to the receiving page.
Keeping those theme and topic relationships in mind when adding incoming links will help the careful website owner achieve the most benefit from the new Google PageRank formula.
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