[jazzking2001]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Nothing is perfect but alexa is the best we have so far. I think at this point that more than enough people use Alexas toolbar to make it pretty accurate as a whole which is enough persuasion for me to utilize it.

same here

[ScottG]

Originally Posted by Cliff

Nothing is perfect but alexa is the best we have so far. I think at this point that more than enough people use Alexa's toolbar to make it pretty accurate as a whole which is enough persuasion for me to utilize it.

Alexa is anything but accurate with the possible exception for sites above some unclear threshold; maybe top few thousand. If, by chance, the usage they report for you somewhat matches your logs you're one of the rare ones.

Now, if there's something about the toolbar or the service that helps you, by all means, use it/do it, etc. But please be sure that their numbers are - at best - questionable and only relative. My experience with this comes from working on several web sites, with access to not only real log data, but subscriptions to high end services such as HitWise, etc.

Again, if something works for you and provides value, by all means use it. I just don't want anyone to be under any illusions about the service is all.

Scott
Director, Product Managment
Twing.com <-- Community Search & Discovery

[SticKer]

I had stopped using Alexa toolbar long ago about 5 years back but that hasn't decreased or hurt my alexa rankings. Recently Alexa had some changes done to their algorithm and since then I see frequent updates in the rankings.

[Sir TVDinner]

Originally Posted by ScottG

Alexa is anything but accurate with the possible exception for sites above some unclear threshold; maybe top few thousand. If, by chance, the usage they report for you somewhat matches your logs you're one of the rare ones.

Now, if there's something about the toolbar or the service that helps you, by all means, use it/do it, etc. But please be sure that their numbers are - at best - questionable and only relative. My experience with this comes from working on several web sites, with access to not only real log data, but subscriptions to high end services such as HitWise, etc.

Again, if something works for you and provides value, by all means use it. I just don't want anyone to be under any illusions about the service is all.

Scott
Director, Product Managment
Twing.com <-- Community Search & Discovery

What do you suggest for an alternative and accurate ranking option. Please advise. Thanks

James
Director, My Own Sites
TheBiggestBoards.com <-- Free Directory For Forums

[lafsunlmtd]

Originally Posted by Sir TVDinner

James
Director, My Own Sites
TheBiggestBoards.com <-- Free Directory For Forums

you are too much...

i don't think it should be used as the sole way to judge your stats and numbers. But for people examining other sites, i think it is the best way to get an idea of the popularity etc. of a site

[Sir TVDinner]

lol - I knew you would appreciate that lafsunlmtd. How are you doing these days?

[lafsunlmtd]

hijack --- been crazy busy. Tryin to get caught up. Just got back from vegas from webmaster conference and a little pleasure. I got you links back to your biggest board on abadss and adminfusion. Should be up by tom afternoon

[Sir TVDinner]

sent you a PM so this thread stays on topic.

[ScottG]

Originally Posted by Sir TVDinner

What do you suggest for an alternative and accurate ranking option. Please advise. Thanks

James
Director, My Own Sites
TheBiggestBoards.com <-- Free Directory For Forums

Quantcast.com and Compete.com SEEM to do a better job of things. My opinion on this has to do with knowing the real stats for a few different web sites, (from their own logs and analytics providers), and comparing those realities to what they report.

That being said, these folks, (as well as Hitwise for that matter), still suffer from issues of small numbers. That is, these sites use varying methodologies; panels, toolbars, IP sniffers and network data, and so on. Still, this is sampled data. As you go down the long tail of internet sites to forums, most of which are maybe really popular in their niche, but somewhere below the top 10,000 sites, these are often going to be below the radar of even these sites. And even where they're on it, I'm not at all sure about the statistical validity of their methodologies.

I think the real thing people have to ask is how much rank matters. The reality is that it shouldn't matter too much other then when you're planning on selling a site. In that case, trying to understand the value of current users, their propensity to click on contextual ads, etc. is or can be more important than some ranking numbers. There may be some truth that you get more visibility once you break into certain top thresholds, but that's not until you're pretty high up.

As a directory site, MAYBE you have a shot at that. In fact, I hope you make it. That may sound odd coming from someone who seems to be a "competitor" in that we have a directory attached to our forum search engine as well. But, our common interest is to build the forum space and awareness of it.

Scott

[Sir TVDinner]

Thanks for the info Scott!