How can I identify causes of a PageRank drop?

[The258WebCo]

I think something to get businesses to actually realize that links count in SEO is to have some sort of PR obsession. Too many times business owners just totally miss the fact they need links, so they invest in content, don't see a change because they don't bother about the link side of things, and then they stop investing in content until they hear they need links on some sales copy landing page...

[AngelLestat2]

google addwords is selling links??

[hcancelik]

What is the exact reason Google Toolbar has PageRank indicator then?

[geboyintegra1995]

@hcancelik Serious

[hcancelik]

@geboyintegra1995 yeah that was a real question.

[drwxrxrx]

If Google wants people not to worry about PageRank, why not just get rid of the public-facing parts of it altogether? Sure there'd be a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth at first, but those people shouldn't have been caring about it originally...

[424jib]

What is meant by "adequately disclosed to the search engine" with regards to selling links? How does one disclose a link that is sold vs. one that is given without compensation?

[chassisplans]

How about dropping PR for sites that purchase links? Kind of like arresting the Johns instead of the prostitutes. Reading Chit Chat in the Webmaster Forum, many sites have been identified that blatantly purchase blog links and other paid links, but there has been no apparent penalty levied against them.

[costatropicalgranada]

"Its a lot like payola in that you give somebody money and then you get a mention."

You mean like AdWords?

[madgordy]

@costatropicalgranada lol... best comment of the week my friend

[OneWebsitePlease]

@costatropicalgranada AdWords is adequately disclosed to the search engine as a paid link. When one site sells a link to another site, there is no adequate way to tell the search engine that it is a quality link and worth a user's while to see it as something they searched for.

[markeymark101]

You said it at the start.. PR is not what they should worry about. The selling links drop is a very good reason to drop someone's PR because as mentioned in your T&Cs , it is against them :D