concepts

E-E-A-T vs PageRank

Modern content quality signals (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust) versus classic link-based authority.

E-E-A-T

Google's framework for evaluating content quality through experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.

Advantages

  • Focuses on content quality
  • AI systems use similar signals
  • Harder for spam to manipulate
  • Rewards genuine expertise

Considerations

  • Subjective criteria
  • Harder to measure
  • Takes time to demonstrate
  • No single metric

PageRank

Google's original algorithm measuring site authority based on quantity and quality of incoming links.

Advantages

  • Objective and measurable
  • Clear ranking factor
  • Established methodology
  • Quantifiable metric

Considerations

  • Gameable through link schemes
  • Doesn't assess content quality
  • Can favor old/large sites unfairly
  • Less relevant in modern search

Our Verdict

E-E-A-T is more important in 2026. While backlinks still matter, demonstrating genuine expertise and trustworthiness is crucial for both Google and AI systems.

Where This Applies

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