Alexa and Vista
As I’m reading through my morning email, I come across a note that I find interesting. It’s from a website I’m associated with and the need to install the Alexa toolbar. Apparently the Alexa ranking of the website is slipping, not because there is less traffic to it but because so many users have upgraded to Vista. So far there isn’t an Alexa toolbar that it Vista compatible.
I’m not the biggest fan of the Alexa rankings. I know some people are really into the whole Alexa ranking and feel that - like the Nielsen ratings for television programs - Alexa is very accurate. I for one am skeptical to say the least. However, there are plenty of webmasters and others who feel a good Alexa ranking is important especially when it comes to advertising.
Alexa ranks websites by visitors who use the Alexa toolbar. So, if you want to give the websites you visit a “vote” on Alexa, then you have to surf with the toolbar installed. While this system is far from perfect, the Alexa ranking is becoming more creditable every day. Still it will be nice when a true website rankings system is developed. Until then hopefully the Alexa toolbar for Vista will be released soon to help website rankings become more in line to what they once were for some websites.


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