Subdomain with no backlinks has more PR than main domain.

None has back links. Ranking on usage data?

[fischermx]

I have a domain that I used only to signup for a reseller hosting account and registering DNS.
I don't resell hosting, so I don't promote this domain, I don't have links to this domain, I have nothing in this domain. The domain "example.com" is only hosting the default control hsphere panel.
So, "example.com" still has PR2 which came from nowhere. I own this domain since 2 years ago, and it was unregged and I'm almost sure not owned before.

In order to access the accounts I createed on this "private hidden hosting" I use the subdomain "cp.example.com", which is where the hosting control panel is.
As well, if the main domain don't have any backlink, even less the subdomain.
Now, "cp.example.com", has PR 4.
Explain that.

My guess: Google is using "usage" data to rank these domains. Since I'm on them every day using three different computers, with Google Toolbar installed, it counts a bit. I guess.
Now, since the main domain is almost never accessed, but the one with "cp.example.com" is the really one used, I have no other theory than this.

What do you think?

[moftary]

I have no comments regarding your theory but I thought I might share my experience about PR dancing.

I have a forum that had only one category. The site/forum had PR6, while the only category didn't had the chance to gain TBPR before the latest update earlier in October.

I added a few more categories to the forum days before the TBPR update.

Amazingly, the site/forum went down to PR5 and the only category went to PR6 while the rest of categories hasn't get the chance to gain PR.

I thought that maybe some sites linked to the category beyond my knowledge, so I checked for BLs on yahoo and MSN but nothing!

Just another Google mystery

[fischermx]

Its strange how nobody has anything to say to about a subdomain getting a PR 4 out of nothing.

[Chris_R]

Even if they count usage data in their algo (which I believe they probably do) - it should not matter for the PR.

PR is PR. While google has been known to penalize PR for certain reasons - they have not (to my knowledge) added PR for any reason.

It is most likely either a fluke - or some link that was in some log somewhere very briefly (even if you didn't add it or tell anyone about it) during which google was collecting the link data.

It is possible they think that url is another url and have confused the two.

[doc_z]

I don't believe that usage data have anything to do with. My guess that it's caused by some link (as explained by Chris_R) or it's caused by the toolbar (which means real PR is zero and it's just a bug, a 'guess' or something else) or it's caused by merging pages.

Some questions:
- are backlinks shown for the subdomain (Google/other serach engines)?
- is the (subdomain ) page in the index and if yes, how is it ranked?
- what does info:cp.example.com show?

[piatkow]

I have given up worrying about page rank and concentrate on checking if key searches are landing at the appropriate pages. Some PR 0 pages on my site position higher in key searches (and should do based on content) then the pages with a page rank.

[cabowabo]

Green-bar addiction can drive you nuts. I have seen things similar to what you report, but I haven't looked into it much. I'd rather crank on my sites and drive more traffic and let the PageRank issues shake down themselves.

Cabo

[fischermx]

I have given up worrying about page rank

Green-bar addiction can drive you nuts.

Good for you!
I'm not either.