64 replies to this topic

[projectphp]

I don't think they need the PR graph installed to collect their data.

Yeh they do. The value exchange of telling google about every page you visit is that a user can see what a page's Pagerank is. Without it, a request to Google saying "Hey I just looked at {INSERT_URL}" is of zero use to the user, and would make the G toolbar the biggest spyware in history. It still kinda is, but they make it clear that every URL accessed is reported to Google, meaning they can track your movements, and people have to opt-in to it after a rather scary privacy warning. Ditto self installign the various firefox toolbars.

Just to be super clear here, what Google get: every URL visitted for PageRank on toolbar installs. That is a F^%#$k load of data daily. A absolute orgy F%$#@k load. Even if we assume that the value of this data is negligible, if it is > 0, and Google's marketshare continues to increase, and they continue to out perform stock market expectations, and their results remain relevant,then, the argument for removing toolbar PageRank is a pretty poor one, at least IMHO. especially when link sellers and buyers are a tiny percentage of internet site owners (we just talk about it so much, we think it is ubiquitous).

On the flip side, the argument for having PageRank on one's own toolbar is a different matter altogther, and if people don't feel they get value from it, turn it off. Simple

[Ignoramus]

Google cannot argue ignorance when it comes to public response to their Statements. Besides the fact that the way they are operating is trying to bully compliance from webmasters, they are bound to know the inescapable effect that this will have on the public approach to advertising online- Fear.

"The rockets are up. Who knows where they'll come down. That's not my department", said Wernher von Braun.

[Ignoramus]

I’ve just re-read all the posts in this thread and, apart from projectphp, I can’t see any mention of what TBPR might mean, if anything, to the average ‘Joe Searcher’.

Does he, or she, even notice it ?

If so, what interpretation is placed on that little green bar ?

Run your mouse over it and you get this.....

“PageRank is Google’s measure of the importance of this page (X/10)”

What does Joe Searcher infer from the word ‘importance’ ?

Does a long green bar imply the site (I doubt Joe distinguishes between page and site) is more popular ? Better ? More credible ? More trustworthy ? More secure for entering personal information or doing business with ? Is the information/product/service/whatever, somehow endorsed by Google ?

In short, is there a significant marketing value in TBPR ? Or is it just a willy-measuring exercise for the SEO community ?

One assumes from all the fuss that it’s the former.

[Jill]

I don't know of "real people" who even know the TBPR graph even exists or what it's for. (Even in my own family!)

[nethy]

In short, is there a significant marketing value in TBPR ? Or is it just a willy-measuring exercise for the SEO community

Well its a way (maybe not the original intention but a happy by-product) of influencing SEOs, informing of 'penalties'. (by SEO I mean all SEOs so this includes all the DIYs out there that have noticed the potential of SE rankings and are trying to get them).

Other then that it may be a way of measuring SEOs activities. If they can use the toolbar as also a way of infering whether the user is trying SEO (identifying the segment) to see what they do. But if they wanted this then maybe they'd make the PR bar not display by default & then see who activates it. Whoever does, that's SEOs.