Why I Installed Alexa On My Blog #BloggingTip

February 25, 2016

Alexa Rank - What is it? And why it matters. Blogging Tips

 

Those of you who are regular readers may have noticed a new little gadget at the bottom of my blog.

 

install alexa on your blog

 

Right there ^ (hopefully by the time you see this post, my numbers will be better lol)

So what the heck is it?

Well, simply put it’s a measurement tool. It measures my site’s performance against that of other sites globally.

Why does it matter to me?

I like numbers… frankly. I like seeing progress and growth. Numbers and measurement tools are a good way to actually show me that my efforts are paying off.

Why should it matter to you?

If you like keeping track of progress like me, then of course it might be of interest to you as well. Plus there’s this next point…

Why does it matter to others?

Some advertising networks require your Alexa Rank to be under a certain number and even base your compensation on that number. The better the rank, the more advertisers that will want to work with you and the higher pay you will receive. If advertising, income and traffic don’t matter to you, then skip Alexa completely 🙂

What exactly is Alexa?

I did say it was a measurement tool, but more specifically, it calculates a site’s rank by user data. A combination of site traffic (both unique visitors and total page views), browser specific data, algorithms, backlinks and so on and so on.

How can you view your Alexa Rank?

You can go to Alexa’s site and put in your url to see your rank. Or you can do some of the more involved ways explained below to see more details.

How can I improve my Alexa Rank?

  • Post content regularly, at least once per week. This makes Alexa happy.
  • Get quality backlinks. You can do this by getting featured on link parties and submitting guest posts.
  • Install the Alexa Toolbar extension in Chrome. I’m not sure how it helps, but it does at least help you see how your site is improving.
  • Install a widget on your blog. There are actually two widgets you can get, I am trying out both.
    • Alexa review widget – you can put this in your sidebar or footer and receive reviews from your readers. Let it be organic though, don’t ask for reviews.
    • Alexa rank widget – this will just display your site’s Alexa rank. But it will also keep better track of your site traffic. Similar to installing Google Analytics, it will track unique visitors and page views, then update your page rank.
  • Don’t worry about it. If you are working on your blog regularly by promoting, sharing socially, gaining quality backlinks, increasing in traffic etc, your Alexa Rank will improve naturally 🙂

This, of course, is just a beginner’s guide to Alexa. If you’d like more information, you can read the guide offered by Alexa here.

 

Do you use Alexa? Why or why not?

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  • Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner
    March 12, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    I had been meaning to come back and read this! Another thing I know nothing about but I feel like I’ve seen my Alexa ranking somewhere. Thanks for the tips!

  • Mary-the boondocks blog
    March 11, 2016 at 5:02 am

    I recently installed my alexa rank on Chrome and was actually surprised by my rank. Thank you for explaining it further, pinning!

  • Shelly @ Behind Blue Eyes
    March 8, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    I have heard of Alexa, but I never really use it. Although, maybe I should! It’d be a great tool to see how much my site rank is improving.

  • Shannon Peterson
    March 8, 2016 at 10:50 am

    Ive heard of alexa, but I didn’t realize that that little extra button tool would help my website so much!

  • Tara
    March 8, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Hey Jenn,
    I check my Alexa ranking pretty regularly, but I haven’t paid for their services. One thing I noticed is that my Alexa bounce rate is hugely different (and much better) than my Google Analytics bounce rate. Not sure why. I’m thinking of taking advantage of the free trial to see what it’s all about. I love numbers too!

  • GiGi Eats
    March 6, 2016 at 11:40 pm

    Alexa is interesting to me. I have more traffic now than ever before yet my numbers went UP a little bit. I don’t care though because I don’t really pay attention to numbers. I blog because I love it!

  • Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss
    March 6, 2016 at 10:22 pm

    I’ve been meaning to look further into Alexa, but never really got around to it. Thanks for this post that does a great job summing up the important points!

  • Gloria Kaye
    March 6, 2016 at 10:03 pm

    Thank you, I had no idea what Alexa was and why I should use it! Thanks for the info, very helpful.

  • Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs
    March 6, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    Thanks for this information. I use the Chrome extension and have definitely seen my ranking improve. I didn’t know about the plugins. Thanks for sharing at the Blogger’s Pit Stop.

    Oh, and I don’t see them. Are they still here?

  • Ayesha Heart
    March 5, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Great post! Very helpful to all the new ones who enjoys blogging.
    Cheers to our ranks. Keep it up!

  • Ana Fernandez
    March 3, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    Looks pretty great! I have been seeing alexas threads but was too afraid to ask. Looks like im going to give it a try

  • Doran @ Haute Beauty Guide
    March 3, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    Thanks for this. I always wondered about Alexa and now I have a better idea on how to use it.

  • Julia
    March 3, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Thanks for the tips for Alexa. I have been told that a lot of companies look at the ranking.

  • Shaylee
    March 3, 2016 at 12:03 pm

    Thanks so much for this post! Alexa has always been a bit of a mystery to me but now it makes much more sense!

  • Jessica
    March 3, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Ugh I need to work on my Alexa!! Great post, thank you!

  • Eileen Mendoza Loya
    March 3, 2016 at 1:04 am

    I have installed Alexa a few months after I started blogging. It was exciting to see how my ranking improved. I am seriously considering buying up the monthly service so that I can review my stats in depth.

  • Lyndsay
    March 3, 2016 at 12:04 am

    I used to have ’em too, but I think putting it on my toolbar is enough to help me find out my Alexa rank. I don’t think my readers know how it works or care knowing the Alexa rank of my blog but as long as it helps, why not?

  • Jonathan Key
    March 2, 2016 at 11:46 pm

    Alexa is a good resource to gage your viewership. A lot of sponsors typically ask for rankings and this is a great way to sell your site. Way to go on another great post!

  • Edwin Lao
    March 2, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you for this. Know I know what does Alexa does and how it can helps me. Installing it now.

  • Amy Jones
    March 2, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Looks like an amazing tool to keep your blogging business in control, I’ve never used Alexa before but I like to keep attention to my numbers too. I’ll cheking this out thanks for sharing

  • Angie Scheie
    March 2, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    Does it have anything to do with Amazons Alexa? I’ll have to look into it, because I’m always looking for ways to better evaluate my blog 🙂 thanks for the introduction.

  • Rhi
    March 2, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    Okay, this helps a lot. Great post.

  • Emma White
    March 2, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    great post I have it installed on my blog too

  • Jolleen Ruiz
    March 2, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    Yeah, it’s funny, before I started blogging I had no clue what Alexa was. But believe it or not a lot of people ask what your ranking is! Thanks for this info. Very helpful..

  • Top5life
    March 2, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Alexa is quite helpful to manage progress of the site. But, it only assesses the visitors with alexa toolbar installed. Those, who don’t have alexa toolbar, such visitors are not counted by alexa.

  • Kathy Kenny Ngo
    March 2, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Right now I just kind of wanna build again on the content and comments on my blog. So far I am doing well with Top Blogs. Perhaps Alexa will follow next.

  • Lexie Lane
    March 2, 2016 at 6:03 am

    Alexa is really helpful. Glad you shared it!

  • Ana De- Jesus
    March 2, 2016 at 3:18 am

    I use Alexa too and from what I could gather it has helped improve my DA and PA score. It is a great toolbar!

  • Elizabeth O.
    March 2, 2016 at 2:35 am

    Most companies who would like their products featured in your blog look at alexa rankings and it’s one good reason to install it if you’re planning to monetize your blog. Those are all good pointers!

  • Patrice M Foster
    March 1, 2016 at 11:44 pm

    I think It cost MONEY so I did not bother. I will take another look at Alexa . I wish I know how to lower those number . I don’t like the idea of everyone see my stats. Some people use it as a bragging tool.

  • Mama to 5 BLessings
    March 1, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    i used to have it on my blog when I was on Blogger years ago, not sure if it’s on my current blog when I switched to WP. Thank you for the reminder I will have to check into it!

  • Amer
    March 1, 2016 at 7:37 pm

    Oh my! I don’t have Alexa. This is very helpful. Thanks.

  • tara pittman
    March 1, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    I use Alexa and it helps me to get offers from companies. I now know how to lower my number more.

  • Michelle Gwynn Jones
    March 1, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    I will keep this in mind. I know numbers are important but I haven’t really gotten into that yet

  • Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
    March 1, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    PR doesn’t look at Alexa anymore, so I don’t worry about it at all.

  • Melanie
    February 25, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    I looked at Alexa and I could have sworn it cost money to sign up for. Or am I thinking of something else?

    • Jenn
      February 25, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      It costs money for the premium features. I’m sticking with just the free stuff! ????