| Over the summer, Google introduced the first of | | | | The recent changes to Google's algorithm place |
| many subtle changes to its algorithm. With these | | | | unprecedented emphasis on the age of a site. Google |
| minor tweaks came a warning: more changes are yet | | | | has always used its "sandbox" to ensure that sites |
| to come. Below is a brief rundown of the latest | | | | aren't in existence solely for rankings, but the new |
| changes to the algorithm, as well as some educated | | | | algorithm emphasizes age even more. The result of |
| speculation on the adaptations to come. | | | | this shift is that older, less relevant sites are ranking |
| Back to Basics with Backlinks | | | | highly while newer sites wither away with low page |
| Google has seemingly reverted to its previous | | | | rank. It seems likely that this new weighting system |
| position on backlinks and placed a higher value on | | | | is due for yet another shift in the near future. |
| quantity over quality. Until recently, websites were | | | | PageRank May Be On Its Way Out The Door |
| rewarded for quality backlinks with relevancy. Now it | | | | Google appears to be depending less on the value of |
| appears that Google is promoting sites with large | | | | PageRank when determining the importance of a |
| numbers of backlinks rather than concerning itself | | | | particular backlink. In fact, signs indicate that |
| with the quality of those links. Seeing as this loophole | | | | PageRank may be replaced by a new system known |
| will surely be exploited by many spam sites, leading | | | | as TrustRank in the future. The TrustRank system |
| to a decreased quality of results, more changes are | | | | would indicate Google's opinion of the veracity of a |
| sure to come. | | | | particular website, and have less of an impact on |
| Older Sites Have The Competitive Edge | | | | actual rankings than PR. |