Oops! Google Does It Again

Google is never happy being out of news... is it? Webmasters are having a tough time tackling the latest 'evolution' Google has come up with. Websites world over recently 'woke up' with a changed PageRank, simply out of the blue. Even their backlinks have suffered this setback, and hence, all optimisation techniques have gone topsy-turvy!

Of course, we ought to give (dis)credit to the latest PR algorithm doing the rounds. Whatever it is, most of us will find a different PageRank, at least on our Google Toolbars. And to add to our woes, the Google PR directory is reportedly showing a different PR for the same sites. All this is simply adding up to the already prevailing confusion in the online circles.

Forums and blogs are spreading the news like wildfire, but most of us have no clue as to why this has happened. Amidst all this, there is a piece of good news though. Certain sites have actually benefited from this development, and have been awarded with an increased PR. Many of them have just not been affected.

I would like to set a few things straight first – Google PR does not affect traffic inflow of a web page. It is simply one of the many features the search engine is adorned with. We do not need to lose our sleep over this. Simply keep a track of what is going on, monitor the PageRank of your site and alter your optimisation tactics accordingly, if need be.

Google continues to battle it out in China

Search engine giant Google is having a real tough time in China. Initially, it seemed Chinese markets were unattainable for Google. However, in due course, the situation did ease a bit. But now, China is back at the Internet war! Latest reports indicate that most US-based search engines are being hijacked and directed to Baidu, the popular Chinese search site.

As per industry analysts, Chinese users searching anything on Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are being automatically redirected to Baidu. Some say this is a subtle way of retaliation for China, who exercises stringent control over the functioning of the Internet in its region.

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama is said to be the focal point of these controversies. He has been recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by Washington, and according to reports, this development has further enraged leaders in China.

The Internet companies, on their part, are looking into the matter and hope it will all be resolved soon. Obviously, the redirection of a large chunk of their global traffic will be hurting them. We'll have to wait and watch if things can get any better henceforth.