WPG page critic

Does anyone use it?

[JudgeJeffries]

Apart from the dire consequences of using the automatic funtions on Google, there appears to be very little reference ever made to the 'page critic' function of this program. Is it well used, is it effective, what do most think of it and are any of its competitors better thought of? Is there any likelihood of being penalised for the use of this part of the program alone?

[stuntdubl]

There shouldn't be any penalty, but you are probably just as well to read Brett's Quick Rank [webmasterworld.com] and take your tips from that. Once you practice a bit and get a feel for the right ratios etc. you won't ever go back to WPG. Build good content and pay attention to the rules and you will be just fine.
:)

[edited by: WebGuerrilla at 5:55 pm (utc) on Mar. 19, 2003]
[edit reason] fixed link [/edit]

[tigger]

It’s about the only thing you can now do with WPG, but it is a good training tool and will help you learn how to construct optimised pages, then when you have a grounding start reading here and that should polish your skills up

[JayC]

I agree with Tigger... you shouldn't expect to dominate the serps with it, but it can be a training tool, helpful in at least reminding you of some of the elements to keep in mind. You'll likely outgrow it and leave it behind soon enough.

[cornwall]

>>is it effective

It is effective, to the extent that it reminds you what needs to be optimised on a page.

When you consider the number of programming points that can give you an edge in serps, and how easy it is to miss them when you are learning then it is useful.

As long as you do not tke it as the gospel to be blindly followed, then go ahead and use it.

[JudgeJeffries]

Thanks for the info.
Does this mean that almost none of the SEO professionals use it?
Gut feeling and guesswork seems a little less accurate than a program designed to figure out certain features in an algo, or is that no one likes admitting to using it?

[tigger]

I used it when I first came into the industry, but that was many updates ago, now I just guess :)

[WebGuerrilla]

Since this is the Google forum, I'll restrict my comments to its worth as a tool for optimizing for Google.

It's a huge waste of time. The whole concept of using a software tool to analyze the content of the pages listed at the top of an engine that puts the majority of its emphasis on off-page factors is completely flawed.

You would be better off spending your time using software tools that analyze linking structures. Those are the types of tools that will help you determine what is really driving the top positions within your particular space.

[JudgeJeffries]

Thanks a lot, just what I was trying to find out.
I've used WPG and its done pretty well for me but its obviously not the whole story.
Where can I find out about link analysing tools?

[JayC]

Does this mean that almost none of the SEO professionals use it?

That's correct. Really what it tells you is very rudimentary for anyone who's done SEO for a while; it'd be a waste of time to go through the process because the program won't tell an experienced optimizer anything new.

Add to that a few other drawbacks: things change quickly, can you count on the program's information being updated quickly enough? There's considerable disagreement over a number of points, as reading here will show, can you count on the program being "right"? And, as Webguerilla pointed out, on-page elements are only part of the equation.

As I said, I feel such programs can have some value as learning tools, but on the other hand whether that value is outweighed by the price tag is debatable. I few hours spent reading and asking questions here would undoubtably be more valuable.