What is Trustrank?
TrustRank is an algorithm concept that measures a website’s trustworthiness based on its link distance from trusted seed sites. Originally developed to combat web spam, this metric evaluates site credibility through link relationships with authoritative domains like government sites, educational institutions, and established brands.
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What You Need to Know about Trustrank
Link Distance from Trusted Sources
Sites linked to by highly trusted domains receive higher trust scores. The fewer hops from authoritative sources, the stronger the trust signal passed to your site.
Quality Over Quantity in Link Building
A single link from a trusted .edu or .gov domain carries more weight than dozens of links from low-authority sites. Focus on earning links from established, credible sources.
Trust Deteriorates Through Bad Neighborhoods
Linking to or receiving links from spammy, low-quality sites can damage your trust score. Regular link audits help identify and remove harmful associations.
Domain Age and Consistency Matter
Older domains with consistent ownership and stable content patterns typically score higher in trust metrics. Sudden changes in content focus or linking patterns raise red flags.
Trust Signals Extend Beyond Links
Factors like SSL certificates, contact information, privacy policies, and author credentials contribute to overall site trustworthiness. These elements support your link-based trust signals.
Editorial Standards Build Trust
High-quality, well-researched content with proper citations and expert authorship demonstrates credibility. Search engines recognize editorial rigor as a trust indicator.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trustrank
1. Is TrustRank still used by Google?
While Google doesn’t publicly confirm using the original TrustRank algorithm, the concept of measuring site trust through link relationships remains fundamental to how search engines evaluate authority and combat spam.
2. How can I improve my site’s trust signals?
Earn links from authoritative domains in your industry, maintain consistent quality content, implement security measures like SSL, display clear contact information, and avoid associations with low-quality sites.
3. Does linking to trusted sites help my rankings?
Linking to authoritative sources can indirectly benefit your site by demonstrating editorial quality and providing value to users. However, outbound links alone don’t directly improve your trust score.
4. How long does it take to build trust with search engines?
Building trust is a gradual process that typically takes months of consistent, quality content production and natural link acquisition. New sites should focus on establishing credibility through expertise and legitimate relationships.
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