What's Alexa all about?
Alexa, simply put, is a top list or ranking of the entire web; at least that is their core competency. Alexa tracks and collects data from its vast number of Alexa toolbar users as they surf the web. Alexa then statistically ranks every single site from 1 to however many sites are in their database (millions). The number one site is the one that gets the most hits, currently Yahoo, followed by number 2, Google, and so on. Think of Alexa as the Neilson television ratings, only for the internet.
Ok great, so how is Alexa useful for optimizing your site? While you can't use Alexa to generate traffic, you can use it to keep an eye on where you rank and where your competitors and potential and existing partners rank. Useful features of Alexa statistics include:
- historical information (wayback machine), check stats back 5 years or even more
- site comparison of up to 5 sites at once
- breakdown of rank by country
- average page views per user
- breakdown of visits to sub domains
- "reach" which means the percentage of global internet users that visit the site
Besides the ranking utility Alexa also has its own Search Engine and Directory, and now a Blog. The Alexa toolbar, the source of their power, offers the usual toolbar functions plus quick access to the stats for the site you're browsing.
Alexa references site information from the Open Directory Project, also known as DMOZ. If your site isn't listed on DMOZ get your application in pronto, but be prepared for a long wait. You can alternatively register your site on Alexa directly. One way or another you'll need to be seen by Alexa if you plan to use it to track your own stats.
Alexa stats are pretty well considered the gold standard for site rankings, but like any tool should be taken with a grain of salt. The statistics are only as good as their reference sample which is made up exclusively of Alexa toolbar users. But for lack of a better service this is the one to beat.
Find Alexa at www.alexa.com.
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