What is PageRank

Here is Google's definition of PageRank.

So, PageRank is "a measure of the importance of a page based upon the quality and quantity of links pointing to that page".

PageRank figures keenly into SERP ranking for highly competitive keywords and to a slightly lesser extent for long tail and less competitive search terms.

Real PageRank is a numeric value, that only Google knows, which indicates the importance of a webpage. Public PageRank is depicted as a value from 1-10, is updated infrequently, and in many cases may be incorrect.

Since PageRank is an important factor in Google's ranking algorithm, and public PageRank is suspect, it is dicey to make decisions exclusively with PageRank in mind. Here are some good rules of thumb.

♦ A PR 5 page with 10 outbound links is a much better link target than a PR 5 with 100 outbound links

♦ A page that has been identified as a link farm or has broken terms of service by selling links can show public PageRank but will not pass any juice.

♦ A nofollow link on a PR 1-10 page passes no juice at all.

♦ A PR 5 page with content that is off topic is not worth anywhere near the value of a PR 5 page related to your niche.


The goal of any domain should be to develop targeted traffic using content that provides a method of converting that traffic into a sale. Another part of that strategy should be building brand and creating reputation within your industry.

PageRank will grow as your domain authority, branding, and content value and quantity increases.