There are a lot of different ranking systems currently being used for blogs. Google’s PageRank has been the subject of more than its share of blog discussions recently. In addition to PageRank, there’s always Technorati and Alexa rankings, and recently IZEA (the parent company of PayPerPost) has decided to move away from PageRank and create its own RealRank. (For information on RealRank, see Courtney Tuttle’s Real Rank Doesn’t Solve Anything for Bloggers.

Other ranking systems have been developed by individuals for specific blogging niches. Mark at 45n5 has created a lot of buzz and plenty of inbound links with his list of the Top 100 Make Money Online Blogs, and Marco Richter has created a similar list of the top blogs about blogging. Many blogs being sold recently have used rankings as a selling point to potential buyers.

Personally, I don’t think any of these rankings have that much significance, but aside from PageRank and RealRank I do check them regularly. Although I don’t think high rankings indicate success or poor rankings indicate failure, I am motivated by rankings and it gives me a clear indication that I’m moving forward. This evidence of growth (along with subscriber counts) helps to keep me going.

I know some of you are a part of the 45n5 rankings and/or Marco Richter’s list, and all blogs can be tracked by Technorati rank and Alexa rank. What impact do these rankings have on you?
My Thoughts on Blog Rankings:

1. Don’t let others (including me) tell you what is important and what determines your success. Your success is measured against whatever it is that you set out to achieve. If you have poor rankings but are accomplishing what you want as a blogger, don’t be discouraged.

2. Find some type of measurement or ranking that is relevant to you and use it as motivation. Especially if you’re a naturally competitive person, rankings can be really helpful.

3. Don’t worry about rankings that don’t affect you. If you’re not selling ads, why does PageRank matter? Likewise, if you’re selling products or services from your blog, aren’t sales a more valid measurement than your Technorati rank?

4. Rankings can help to indicate if you are achieving your goals, but high rankings themselves should not be your primary goals. If you are trying to grow your blog’s audience (and who isn’t), increasing rankings can indicate that you’re on the right path, but ultimately there are other things that are more important than your rankings.

Why Rankings Matter:

1. They are based on statistics and are intended to be factual representations.

2. People who see them may be influenced. Example, the top blogs on 45n5’s list have gained a lot of targeted readers that know they are an authority on the subject.

3. Motivation.

4. Blog sales and advertising revenue can be influenced by rankings.

Why Rankings Don’t Matter:

1. They can be manipulated. Example, link trains that are created primarily to game Technorati’s ranking system.

2. High rankings don’t always equal achievement of goals.

3. Ranking systems may be flawed.

What are your thoughts on rankings and how do they impact you?
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