I encourage everyone to check this out. You can now browse the EatonWeb blog directory and monitor eight important statistical trends on all the blogs in the directory. Here's what the graphs will look like:

So let's say that you want to know the general statistical trends of a site like Randa Clay Design:

First go to the EatonWeb directory to see whether her blog is in the directory by doing a search:
http://portal.eatonweb.com/search/randa/1/

You'll see that Randa does indeed have an entry in the EatonWeb directory:
http://portal.eatonweb.com/blogs/randa-clay-design/

Now, on her blog page in the directory, there's a link to "View Advanced Stats":
http://portal.eatonweb.com/dashboard/advanced/randa-clay-design/

Now anyone can visit the EatonWeb directory and see Advanced Stats for any blog that's present.

The EatonWeb blog directory, which attempts to order blogs in each category by "importance" according to a variety of metrics, has decided to devalue the role of PageRank in its algorithm.

The basic argument is this: PageRank no longer serves as a reliable indicator of importance. If EatonWeb wants to be a reliable indicator of importance, then it needs to devalue the role of PageRank in its algorithm.

So what are your thoughts? Is this a smart move? A bad move? A reactionary move? From an objective standpoint, does it make sense to start ignoring PageRank in favor of other more reliable indicators of blog value?

EatonWeb is doing things the old fashioned way.

We're looking for category editors of our blog directory and we're willing to pay $100/month for the service.

Here are the requirements:

1. You should be familiar with the top 10-25 blogs in your category
2. You should be able to write 100 word reviews of each blog that gets submitted in your category
3. You should be interested in helping to make "a blog directory that matters" - not one that passes link juice;-)

Each editor will be required to submit 5 new blog submissions per month in exchange for $100. Submissions will be filtered by the EatonWeb editor for both quality writing and quality blog selection.

So let's get started. To apply for a position, just PrivateMessage me via Performancing along with the category that you are interested in editing.

One cool feature of EatonWeb that I've been playing with a lot lately is the Advanced Account historical trending data. While this is a "pay" feature, I can't help but love having historical trends in PageRank, Alexa, Technorati, Site Visibility, Linkage, etc. all in one place.

With EatonWeb's Advanced Stats feature, you get historical trending data for your blog starting the day your blog is entered into the directory. I've setup a sample of this feature using data from my car blog RideLust, which you can see by clicking here.

For an idea of what the historical trending graphs look like I've included a screenshot below:

I tried an experiment this week.

I wanted to see what could be accomplished by launching a site (Watch Guru)and then doing zero promotion outside of submitting the blog to the EatonWeb Blog Directory.

Well, I expected for Google to index the blog and to see a slight trickle of experimental searches (Google sends experimental searches to new sites to test out user behavior at the site).

What I didn't expect was for the site to immediately show up at number 3 on a search for "watch guru" - but that's exactly what has happened (as of Saturday morning, five days after launch).

So there you go. More reason to submit to EatonWeb. Very powerful. I'm sorta shocked.