I was amazed to find that my dead website check found over 100 sites that have suddenly shutdown, all in a matter of weeks since Google performed their PageRank update. My site check runs weekly and is quite proficient in finding all sites that no longer post an actual website to the domain, instead nothing or some parking page in lieu.

It seems with the recent update Google have done with its PageRank toolbar, the web has been sent into a frenzy. Finally though it means that this will certainly cleanse the web of serious trash that exists for no other purpose than a quick buck. The really good part of all this is that now the door is open for a more viable solution to measure a sites value, or link strength as such. SEOMoz have such a tool, Page Strength.

Our latest and last creation within our directory structure is One Web Directory (http://www.onewebdirectory.com). The site is currently secured until ready, though a sneak peak image is attached for those curious.

This post outlines our current state of upgrade. This post is updated daily or as we continue our update, which is typically daily.

• Automotive category: Complete 01 Nov 07
• Business category: Complete 04 Nov 07
• Computers category (NEW): 03 Dec 07
• Entertainment category: Complete 07 Nov 07
• Financial Services category: Complete 07 Nov 07
• Health & Fitness category (NEW): 08 Nov 07
• Home & Garden category: To Be Completed
• Internet category: To Be Completed
• Lifestyle category: To Be Completed
• Property category: Complete 11 Jan 08
• Shopping category: To Be Completed
• Travel category: To Be Completed

I just don't say it enough to those within the directory industry, your really missing out if your not using Tolra Micro Systems directory script. It surpasses the rest on the market by far. The link checking alone picked up what custom programming in my custom built script could not; parked pages. You know those domains that disappear yet the registrars decide to instead include their landing pages upon those domains until they have reduced all their traffic potential.

Due to the various differences between our existing directory structure and our new directory structure, we have to make certain changes to how existing listing models are now displayed. The change has occurred as per the following:

• Free & Express Listings >> Now Express Listings.
• Deep & Sponsored Listings >> Now Featured Listings.

I wanted to talk about the most recent PageRank update which Google decided to further its monopoly upon the online advertising market, being the sale of text links. Google made comment that they do not condone the selling of text links, which means they don't condone any web directory upon the net that charges to provide a service. Funnily enough, Google themselves do the exact thing they hypocritically state others too not do; they sell text link advertising through their billion dollar Adwords program.

A good read is Aaron Walls Aesthetic Google PageRank Update!

Now it was speculated that Google reduced PageRank throughout the WWW for those who network, then discovered that this is true. It was then discovered they penalized PageRank from those selling links, those networking and web directories in general. Why in general? Because the majority of web directories across the globe got reduced in PageRank, whether paid, free, reciprocal, etc.