PageRank is an algorithm developed by Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin that evaluates the quantity and quality of links to a webpage to determine a relative score of that page’s importance and authority. It was foundational in the evolution of search by introducing the concept that not all links are equal.
Key aspects:
- Backlink Analysis: Evaluates the number and quality of backlinks to a page to determine its importance and authority.
- Link Weighting: Pages linked by high-authority sites carry more weight.
- Iterative Calculations: Uses a probability distribution to model user behavior.
In daily life, PageRank has influenced the relevance of search results we see, indirectly shaping our access to information. For businesses, understanding PageRank highlights the importance of building high-quality backlinks as part of an SEO strategy. While the specific details of PageRank are less emphasized today due to algorithm updates, the underlying principle that authoritative links contribute to higher rankings remains relevant. Trust in search results is enhanced when authoritative and credible pages are ranked higher.
(See also Backlink and Algorithm.)