PageRank - Expired Domains Glossary

PageRank is Google's original algorithm for ranking web pages, invented by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998. It works on a simple idea — a link from one page to another is a vote of confidence. The more votes a page gets, and the more authoritative the voters, the higher its PageRank score.

How PageRank works

The algorithm treats the web as a graph. Every page is a node, every link is an edge. PageRank calculates the probability that a person randomly clicking links would land on any given page. Pages with many incoming links from other high-PageRank pages get a higher score.

Google used to show PageRank publicly as a score from 0 to 10 in their toolbar. They stopped updating the public toolbar in 2013 and removed it entirely in 2016. But PageRank is still used internally as one of many ranking signals. Google confirmed this in 2017.

Since Google no longer publishes the score, third-party services have stepped in. Open PageRank provides an approximation on a 0-10 scale, calculated from publicly available link data. It's not the same as Google's internal version, but it gives a useful directional signal.

PageRank vs Domain Authority

PageRank and Domain Authority measure similar things but differently. PageRank is page-level (each URL gets its own score), while DA is domain-level. PageRank uses a mathematical model of random web surfing. DA uses machine learning trained on actual search results. In practice, they correlate: domains with high DA tend to have pages with high PageRank.

PageRank on CatchDoms

CatchDoms fetches Open PageRank data for expired domains, giving you another angle on a domain's authority. A domain with PageRank 4+ is notable. Together with Trust Flow and referring domains, it helps paint a complete picture of a domain's link strength before you bid or buy.

Frequently asked questions

Does Google still use PageRank in 2025?

Yes, Google confirmed that PageRank is still used internally as one of many ranking signals. They just stopped publishing the public toolbar score back in 2016. The algorithm itself never went away.

What is Open PageRank and how accurate is it?

Open PageRank is a third-party service that approximates the original PageRank score on a 0 to 10 scale using public link data. It's not identical to Google's internal version, but it gives a useful directional signal for comparing domains.

What PageRank score should I look for in an expired domain?

A PageRank of 4 or higher is notable and suggests the domain has a decent backlink profile. Most expired domains fall between 1 and 3. Combine it with Trust Flow and referring domains for a more complete picture.