External links and PR loss

I, Brian · 12-01-2003, 05:35 AM

I think it's generally accepted that external links cause a loss of PR - presuming there isn't something in the algo that doesn't nullify this where the external link is subject related.

John Scott mentioned elsewhere a site deleting its links pages - the assumption being for PR purposes.

However, what loss is there to an overall site is there for a links page?

PR is based on individual pages - I wonder if sometimes people think of the entire site as being the repository of the PR? If so, why do they seem terrified that a single page on a site can negatively impact that entire site? Surely this is SEO paranoia?

**John Scott** · 12-01-2003, 05:40 AM

Some sites don't like hundreds of pages of links because they look tacky. I recently consulted with a dedicated hosting company that had a "reciprocal links" page. I told them to get rid of it, even if it means losing some links. It's just so... cheap looking.

PhilC · 12-01-2003, 05:45 AM

PR is a completely seperate calculation to the rankings, but I'm sure you know that. PR is one of the factors that is used to rank pages, so it matters. The idea behind not leaking PR is that every little bit of weight in the ranking algo helps.

As you said, PageRank is about individual pages and not about websites. But a group of pages, such as a website, can successfully channel it between themselves, and avoid passing much of it to other pages that are not related to the site.

The reason that a single page within a site can lose PageRank throughout the site is because it is undoubtedly linked into the pages in the site, and the Pagerank passed via those internal links is modified. You can see it in action of you use the PageRank Calculator, set up a some linkages between the pages, then add one external link from any page and see how the PR of other pages is affected.

I, Brian · 12-01-2003, 07:44 AM

Certainly I agree with John Scott that on a commerical site a links page can look unprofessional - but I'm tempted with setting up some directory prgrams with my sci-fi/fantasy and also comparative-religion site. I see similar content/theme linking as a very necessary SEO direction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilC

The reason that a single page within a site can lose PageRank throughout the site is because it is undoubtedly linked into the pages in the site, and the Pagerank passed via those internal links is modified. You can see it in action of you use the PageRank Calculator, set up a some linkages between the pages, then add one external link from any page and see how the PR of other pages is affected.

Yes, and to link a links page across the entire site would be folly. But on an only minimally linked to within the site, it should have no real effect, yes? I can't see a single low PR page being so entirely detrimental to an entire site.

PhilC · 12-01-2003, 08:06 AM

You ought to try it in the calculator, Brian. It's a case of making the most of what you have.

glengara · 12-01-2003, 09:27 AM

*a site deleting its links pages - the assumption being for PR purposes*

I think in that particular case it was probably more a case of spoofing the nature of the incoming links than to save PR, but there would be some added benefit in that area.