Some may have missed this and I tried to avoid writing about it again, but I figured it might be good to document for the future. Google has pushed out yet another PageRank update for those sites who sell links, reportedly.
A few threads from the weekend have reported downgrades to their PageRank scores. Some of those threads include DigitalPoint Forums and WebmasterWorld.
What is this penalty? It is supposedly a visible PageRank penalty to avert those that sell links for PageRank and those who buy links for PageRank. It is probably working well to discourage link buyers and sellers on sites that were hit. Here is some history:
Google did their first PageRank downgrade around November 12, 2007. Then more penalties were visible on January 8, 2008. But the Google Directory update did not show a PageRank change. So people ask, are these sites still passing link weight and why are the still ranking well.
All in all, I think this solution has been working for Google - so kudos to them and I really mean that. I must add that some are brave and taking a stance by blocking GoogleBot to make a statement and I respect you as well.
Forum discussion at DigitalPoint Forums and WebmasterWorld and HighRanking Forum.
