When Will Your PR Be Improved?

Google PR

[newsphinx]

Two of my major competitors sits above me in google result for the most important keyword phrase in the industry. I used to be number 1 for that phrase but now i am 3rd. :(
I haven't noticed any change they ever made which may boost their ranings. The only difference is that they page rank is 7 but mine is 6. I had had PR7 for a few days before an update in last September. I simply can not figure out how can their PR be awarded 7. I have more links with PR above 4 than them; I have more traffic than them, based on Alexa Toolbar; I have more contents than them. Can any body give me any clue? One of them has the keyword phrase in their domain and the other not. Thanks for your help.

[JamesR]

Traffic doesn't determine PR at this point.

If they have PR7 or 8 sites linking to them, that will give them higher PR. There are many factors that influence PR, reading the Google Knowledge Base [webmasterworld.com] will help you with the basics.

[SlyGuy]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com], Newsphinx.

I simply can not figure out how can their PR be awarded 7

Yes, you may have more backlinks, but might they have been lucky enough to get a few high PR backlinks? Have you taken a look to see where they are linked from? Is there a PR8 or PR9 somewhere in there?

There are dozens of other possibilities. Keyword density, keyword placement, title, page size, link anchor text, domain name..etc..etc..

Take a peek around their site, sooner or later you'll run across something.

- Chad

[Deodato]

I agree with JamesR, but would add a few points.

In my experience, a few links from high PR sites with great link text will do more for your position than a bunch (technical term, that) of links from lower PR sites - with or without good link text.

[SlyGuy]

Another great thread that will help is here [webmasterworld.com].

By no other than JamesR :)

- Chad

[newsphinx]

Thank you, guys.
I know that links from a higher PR site will boost their PR. But the problem is the the No. 1 site does not have any incoming links with above PR 6. The second has incomming links from a PR7 site, which is also owned by the same person.