Information Retrieval Questions Medium
The PageRank algorithm is an algorithm used by search engines to rank web pages based on their importance and relevance. It was developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google.
The algorithm assigns a numerical value, known as the PageRank score, to each web page. This score is determined by the number and quality of links pointing to the page. Essentially, the more links a page receives from other reputable and high-ranking pages, the higher its PageRank score will be.
In information retrieval, the PageRank algorithm is used to improve the accuracy and relevance of search engine results. When a user enters a query, the search engine uses the PageRank scores to determine the order in which web pages are displayed in the search results. Pages with higher PageRank scores are considered more important and relevant, and thus appear higher in the search results.
By incorporating the PageRank algorithm into information retrieval, search engines aim to provide users with the most relevant and trustworthy web pages for their queries. This helps users find the information they are looking for more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the PageRank algorithm also helps search engines combat spam and manipulation by prioritizing pages with genuine and authoritative links.