Google is penalizing some big-name publications and blogs, including the Washington Post, Forbes, and Engadget. Over two dozen have seen their toolbar PageRank drop by a factor of 2 to 4 overnight.
Major Sites Taking PageRank Hits
The leading theory is that these sites sell links that pass PageRank and that Google is enforcing its policy. However, some claim they do not sell links and that Google has singled them out for a different reason.Just what that reason is varies, and includes some conspiracy theory about recent posts the company may not like.
"Many of the reputable sources that have received a penalty are part of extensive blog networks, and they have one factor in common," writes blogger
Over at Copyblogger,
Whatever the reason, a few note that the decrease in toolbar PageRank has not affected traffic yet. "My search engine visitor levels have stayed the same," says
Here's paid directories that were being targeted, apparently to send a message. That message was received loud and clear, but it doesn't seem these sites were hit for the same reasons.
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