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How to Save Page Rank in SEO – Essential Tips
PageRank, a metric introduced by Google, determines the importance of a webpage based on the quality and quantity of links pointing to it. While Google no longer shares public PageRank scores, it still influences search rankings indirectly. To maintain and improve your PageRank, follow these best practices:1. Keep High-Quality Backlinks Intact
Backlinks are the backbone of PageRank. To preserve and improve it:- Monitor Backlinks: Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console to track backlinks.
- Fix Broken Backlinks: Reach out to website owners or redirect broken links to relevant pages.
- Avoid Link Loss: If you update URLs or delete pages, use 301 redirects to ensure link equity passes to the new page.
2. Maintain Internal Linking Structure
Internal links distribute PageRank (or link equity) across your website. Follow these steps:- Link from high-authority pages to other relevant pages on your site.
- Use descriptive anchor text that relates to the page’s content.
- Avoid orphaned pages (pages with no internal links pointing to them).
- Perform regular internal link audits to identify opportunities.
3. Optimize Your Website Content
Google rewards valuable, relevant, and updated content with better rankings. To maintain PageRank:- Update old blog posts with fresh information and optimized keywords.
- Publish high-quality content that attracts natural backlinks.
- Ensure your content solves user queries and aligns with search intent.
4. Use 301 Redirects Properly
When pages are removed, redirected, or URLs are updated, always use 301 redirects.- A 301 redirect tells search engines to transfer PageRank to the new URL.
- Avoid 302 (temporary) redirects, as they don’t pass link equity.
Old URL: example.com/old-page
New URL: example.com/new-page
Redirect: 301 → example.com/new-page
5. Avoid Duplicate Content
Duplicate content splits PageRank between similar pages. To prevent this:- Use canonical tags (rel=canonical) to tell Google the preferred version of a page.
- Avoid publishing identical content across multiple pages.
- Regularly audit your site for duplicate content using tools like Screaming Frog.
6. Maintain a Clean Website Architecture
A well-structured website helps search engines and users navigate your content easily:- Keep your website’s pages 3 clicks or fewer from the homepage.
- Use breadcrumbs for better navigation and linking.
- Submit an XML sitemap to Google Search Console to help search engines index your pages efficiently.
7. Remove Harmful or Low-Quality Links
Low-quality or spammy backlinks can harm your PageRank. To fix this:- Identify toxic links using Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Google Search Console.
- Disavow harmful links using the Google Disavow Tool.
- Focus on building quality backlinks from authoritative domains.
8. Improve Page Speed and User Experience
A slow website can cause visitors to leave quickly, negatively impacting SEO.- Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to improve load times.
- Optimize images and use lazy loading.
- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive.
9. Avoid Link Schemes
Participating in link schemes (e.g., buying links, link exchanges) can lead to penalties and a drop in PageRank. Instead:- Focus on natural link building through outreach, guest blogging, and valuable content.
- Earn backlinks from reputable sources relevant to your niche.
10. Monitor and Fix Crawl Errors
Google bots must crawl your site efficiently to pass PageRank. To optimize:- Check for crawl errors using Google Search Console.
- Fix broken links (404 errors) using 301 redirects.
- Update old internal links pointing to removed or outdated pages.
11. Build Strong Backlink Strategies
To preserve PageRank, continuously grow your backlinks:- Write guest blog posts on reputable sites.
- Publish link-worthy content like guides, case studies, and infographics.
- Engage in industry communities and collaborate with influencers.
12. Focus on User Engagement
High engagement metrics (like low bounce rate, longer time on site) signal quality content and preserve rankings:- Improve content readability with proper headings, short paragraphs, and visuals.
- Add internal links to guide users to related content.
- Use calls-to-action (CTAs) to keep users clicking through your site.
13. Avoid Over-Optimizing Anchor Text
Overusing exact-match anchor text can trigger penalties. Instead:- Use natural anchor text like branded, partial-match, or generic terms.
- Diversify your anchor text profile to maintain SEO health.
14. Keep Your Website Secure
Google prioritizes secure sites in rankings. Ensure your site uses HTTPS instead of HTTP.- Install an SSL certificate to encrypt data.
- Check for mixed content issues to avoid hurting SEO.
15. Monitor PageRank Using SEO Tools
Even though Google no longer displays public PageRank scores, you can use metrics like:- Domain Authority (DA) and Page Authority (PA) in Moz.
- Domain Rating (DR) and URL Rating (UR) in Ahrefs.
- These scores help estimate your website's link equity and SEO performance.
Conclusion
To save and maintain PageRank, focus on:- Building and preserving high-quality backlinks.
- Maintaining a clean, well-structured site architecture.
- Creating valuable content and improving user experience.