I've conducted a simple experiment to see if PR and key words really do determine the order in which Google displays search results.

They don't.

Here's what I did.

I started with a two word search term and gave it, quoted. Then I looked up the PR of each site and also counted the number of occurrences of the keyword on the page, including noting separately the number in the main heading of the page.

I then tried various mathematical functions driven by keyword and PR to see if there was something that would sort the results as Google had done.

Not a chance. There were many, many anomalies.

Something's going on here.

Over the last few days I've been investigating the results given by various services on the internet to find incoming links, keyword usage, etc. All these show significant differences when there should be none.

I have been forced to conclude that there's a lot of garbage going on as well as some undisclosed rules.

Any comments anyone?

Matthew

Those are just two of hundreds of weighting factors. Anchor text, content, etc are all detrimental in the process also.

I don't think it's possible to conduct a " simple experiment to see if PR and key words really do determine the order in which Google displays search results."

There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of factors Google uses to place sites in the serps.

Time is a contributing factor with a large amount of weight.

Good to see some experimentation even if it is a little simple. The basis of any SEO has to come from such methods.

It's strange how a great gaming site such as IGN.com which has been on the web for 11 years, is listed #9 on google when searching "video games", yet GameSpot, which has been bought by CNET.com about 2 years ago is listed #1 and it is about 80 times smaller than IGN.

Pretty much all you need is a link from 1 BIG GIGANTIC site like cnet.com and your set for the next 5 years on google in the top 5.

I think the best way to figure out google is for some one to capture an employee ) LMAO
no j/k but im sure one of these indeviduals could really help huh