About the Top 100 Australian Blogs Index | Dipping into the Blogpond

May 06 2007

About the Index

Published by Meg

This index evolved from Craig Harper’s Ultimate Aussie Blogroll, which no longer exists.

The Index can be explained as follows.

I have taken three variables -

AU = Alexa Rank in Australia
X = Global Alexa Rank
T = Technorati Rank

and applied a formula - which is (3 x AU + X + T) /5.

To give you an example for this blog (as at 30/8/07)
AU = 586
X = 55,364
T = 18,134

So the Index = (3 x 586 + 55364 + 18134)/5 = 15,051

In the instance that a blog is part of a larger domain:

then T is multipled by the average of all other ranking blogs (i.e. the Total Index / Total Technorati Rank). This average may vary from week to week (at 30/8/07 this average is 4.61).

(n.b. “Subs” - refers to the number of feed subscribers, where this number is available. It does not factor into the equation but is provided purely for interest).

My reasoning for including both the Alexa AU rank, the Alexa global rank and the Technorati Rank, is because I believe this is a fairer estimation of the popularity of a blog than just using one variable alone. I have weighted the AU rank, as I believe this to be a stronger indicator of the popularity of a website within Australia.

Various memes, and blogroll exchanges can lead to an inflated Technorati ranking, that does not necessarily reflect the merit of the blog.

A blog must have a Technorati ranking for the formula to work. Blogs published on multiple-blog platforms should be claimed individually. Visit Technorati to claim your blog.

Of course, Alexa also has its critics. So no one method is perfect.

I’m not implying that this is the best method of creating an index, but it’s my method. I’m happy to hear input, and tweak if required. Please let me know what you think - objectively

P.S. Whilst I promise to be objective (it’s all about the numbers), I reserve the right to NOT include blogs that I consider “inappropriate” - deal with it

Please note: I am sure there are Australian blogs that should be on this list, that aren’t - please don’t take it personally! With thousands of Aussie blogs in the Aussosphere, chances are I just haven’t come across it. I encourage you to send me an email (meg at this domain), or leave a comment here, if you think that your blog might be eligible.

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86 Responses to “About the Index”

# Library clips :: OPML and SLE feed for Top 10 Lists :: May :: 2007on 14 May 2007 at 5:13 pm

[…] Meg has a a list called the Top 100 Australian Blogs Index, and this is based on more complex method of […]
# John Tropeaon 14 May 2007 at 5:22 pm

Hi Meg,

I came across your post via an ego feed, I noticed you came across a similar list from Craig Harper…we’ve emailed back and forth about generating an OPML for this list, but Craig isn’t really OPML Savvy.

My idea is to generate an OPML URL feed for this list so:

- you can subscribe to all feeds at once
- or subscribe to the actual OPML URL at BlogBridge or in Grazr

See more about what I mean at this related post:
http://libraryclips.blogsome.com/2007/05/10/more-on-mybloglog-opml

Even an SLE feed would be a great idea:
http://libraryclips.blogsome.com/2006/04/07/sle-list-feeds/

I’ve just made a post about this idea:
http://libraryclips.blogsome.com/2007/05/14/opml-and-sle-feed-for-top-10-lists/

BTW I have some Aussie blogs on a list at this post:
http://libraryclips.blogsome.com/2006/06/05/aussie-web20-style/
# Kathie Thomason 22 May 2007 at 4:33 pm

Ok, so how do I do something to improve my AU and X rankings? Seems I need to start exploring these as I know that my Technorati one is improving but the other two seem to be pulling me down the list, instead of up!
# Megon 22 May 2007 at 4:43 pm

Hi Kathie

Not a lot really. You need to get Alexa toolbar users to your site (if you install it that’s a start)!
# Kathie Thomason 22 May 2007 at 4:58 pm

Thanks Meg, looks like another thing - I wonder just how much stuff we can cram into our blogs? But I will definitely explore this one - staying in the top 100 is of interest to me and so I need to protect my interests, don’t I?
# swollenpickleson 29 May 2007 at 3:09 pm

Hi there,

How can I register? I’m curious to see where swollenpickles.com sits!

Cheers
# Megon 29 May 2007 at 3:22 pm

@Swollenpickles - consider yourself registered
# Graham Wegneron 08 Jun 2007 at 9:56 pm

Hi Meg, where does one get their Alexa AU ranking? My problem is that when having a blog on edublogs, the default Alexa ranking comes from that site not the individual blogs hosted within.
# Megon 09 Jun 2007 at 11:14 am

Hi Graham

I’m not sure what’s done in that instance (from a webmaster’s point of view). I know that blogspot.com and wordpress.com have managed to do it. With blogspot if a blog is popular enough it gets its own rank - if not it gets the default blogspot.com rank of 15.

What I do in this instance (see for example #64 this week - blogs.msdn.com/frankarr, who would have a global Alexa rank of 12), is work out the average the index according to Technorati rank (ie sum of all the “index” scores divided by the sum of all the Technorati ranks) which has been hovering about 5. I then take that number and multiply the Technorati rank for those particular blogs to arrive at an index score.

This week a blog that didn’t have an ascertainable Alexa rank would need a Technorati rank of around 31,100 to be included. It’s about the best I can do
# Graham Wegneron 09 Jun 2007 at 8:17 pm

My blog hovers around the 43,000 mark so I’m not too worried but was just curious how the different parts came together.
# Lavenderon 14 Jul 2007 at 9:56 pm

Hi Meg, Id like to register my site too, making the top 100 is something to aspire to.
What info do you need to consider my blog?
Cheers!
# Megon 15 Jul 2007 at 9:52 am

Hi Lavender

Consider it registered
# Lavenderon 15 Jul 2007 at 10:44 am

Cheers Meg, you’re a Champion!
# Dr Nicon 28 Jul 2007 at 12:11 am

So I just need to set my Technorati location to “Australia” to be considered? anything else?

Cheers
Nic
# Megon 28 Jul 2007 at 10:44 am

Dr Nic

No, you don’t really even have to do that, as long as you’ve claimed your blog in Technorati (which you have) and you are an Aussie (which you are). Your blog will definitely make the list (somewhere in the middle), so it’ll be included next week

Thanks for letting me know, and sorry for overlooking you.
# Dr Nicon 28 Jul 2007 at 11:03 pm

@meg - I think I had it set as Netherlands in Technorati as I was living there at the time. All fixed now
# Suzie Cheelon 02 Aug 2007 at 4:33 am

Hi Meg,

Yes I would love to be included and aspire to be in the top 100

Thanks, You are doing a great job for all of the Aussie Bloggers
# Megon 02 Aug 2007 at 10:28 am

Hi Suzie

Thanks for your kind words. I’ve got you down to check each week
# Aureliuson 08 Aug 2007 at 11:15 pm

Just glancing thru the list, and I’m wondering why Lifehack.org is listed as an Aussie site?
How does one determine what’s an Aussie site and what isn’t?
# Megon 08 Aug 2007 at 11:27 pm

Hi Aurelius

Leon Ho is the founder of lifehack.org. He’s an Aussie

I’d say an Aussie site is one which is authored, or founded, by someone who identifies themselves as being an Aussie - either because they were born here, or they live here.
# mummifiedx5on 16 Aug 2007 at 5:00 pm

Hi,
how do I go about registering my blog?
Cheers~ Tina
# Megon 16 Aug 2007 at 5:14 pm

Hi Tina

Consider it registered! I’ll put it on the list for checking.

You might like to join us at Bumpzee too.
# mummifiedx5on 17 Aug 2007 at 12:17 am

Thanks! Going to check it out now
# Thea Westraon 31 Aug 2007 at 1:19 am

Would you be willing to calculate the blogs that I have here?
http://www.forwardsteps.com.au/FSBlogs.htm

If you only wish to check one or two blogs, then perhaps:
http://life-coach-thea.blogspot.com/ or http://inspiration-daily.blogspot.com/

Thank you for the listing you have created.
Cheers, Thea
# Megon 31 Aug 2007 at 8:56 am

Hi Thea

Coach resources, inspiration daily and forwardsteps.blogspot have not been claimed on Technorati, so I can’t get an index for them. I will send the others by email to you.
# Des Walshon 01 Sep 2007 at 10:20 pm

Hi Meg
As of today, I’m, not hosting the Business and Blogging site - http://www.businessandblogging.com . It could still rank as an Aussie blog if b5media engage another Australian to host it, but as of now it does not qualify any longer.
Des
# Megon 02 Sep 2007 at 10:06 am

Des

Many thanks for letting me know. I’ll keep an eye on it.
# Michaelon 15 Sep 2007 at 12:55 pm

Hi Meg

So interesting - I never knew that there was a way of seeing just Australian blogs and their popularity.

Two points.

1. I’m surprised that you use Alexa. I recall hearing a long time ago that they were a spyware company - a tag that they deny but antispyware companies continue to detect - even Symantec. I raised this on another website just the other day - you can see what I wrote at http://forum.techtalkradio.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=939

2. How do I get noticed by technorati and how do identify myself as an Australian blogger? My blog is at http://tardis3.blogspot.com/ and http://theimpatientcritic.wordpress.com/
# Megon 15 Sep 2007 at 1:45 pm

Hi Michael

Glad you found it interesting.

1. I’m not concerned about Alexa in the slightest. It’s actually classified as “trackware”. Antivirus software is merely doing its job by alerting the user of the presence of this toolbar.

But yes, it does record your actions on the internet and feed that back to the Alexa database. The services are provided by Amazon, which is a large and reputable company, and millions of toolbars have been downloaded.

2. You need to claim your blogs on Technorati, it’s a pretty quick and simple process - see http://www.technorati.com/account/blogs/#start_claim

3. Getting identified as an Australian Blogger is a little harder on blogger and Wordpress - I’d certainly recommend you add the words “Australia” and “Australian” to your blog on Technorati and add your blogs to the various Australian directories listed in my sidebar under “Australian Blog Resources”.

Many thanks for stopping by.
# Sarah Stokelyon 03 Oct 2007 at 1:20 pm

Hi Meg,
Stumbled across your site while doing some research for my blog, Lifehacker Australia - the top 100 blog list is a great resource and interesting reading - so thanks for that.
I’ve ‘claimed LifehackerAustralia’ on Technorati and I’d be interested in registering to be ranked on the Top 100 list if we qualify.

Cheers,
Sarah
# Megon 03 Oct 2007 at 1:38 pm

Hi Sarah

I have included Lifehacker on the list to be checked each fortnight so it’ll be included when it qualifies.

Glad you found the list helpful and thanks for stopping by
# Thomas Sinfieldon 04 Oct 2007 at 4:17 pm

Hopefully I can keep working on my blog, and make this list soon!
# Megon 04 Oct 2007 at 4:25 pm

Thomas

That’s really freaky, because you will make it this week (around number 78)! I’m just putting the new list together & it will be up tomorrow at the latest. Congrats
# Vincenton 09 Oct 2007 at 7:29 pm

Hi there,

I am an Aussie blogging about football of the world, Australian and American variety from Sweden. The blog features opinion pieces on football, including Socceroos and the A-League.

Would be happy to be listed on your site!
# Peteon 09 Oct 2007 at 10:10 pm

Hi Meg,

I’d be honoured if you’d have a look and see if my SEO blog qualifies for the list - http://blog.sitemost.com.au

Thanks and keep up the great work!
# Thiruon 16 Oct 2007 at 12:24 am

Hi Meg,

Why does your Top100 List program doesn’t count my feed subscribers. I have given access to any 3rd-party software to access my feed count in my feedburner account. Do you have any idea?

Cheers,
# Megon 16 Oct 2007 at 10:06 am

Hi Thiru

The subscriber count doesn’t get used in calculating the index.

I have to manually collect the number of FeedBurner subscribers (it doesn’t happen automatically). It’s possible that I’ve overlooked quite a few, but I’ll make sure to look for yours next time.
# Kalena Jordanon 16 Oct 2007 at 9:44 pm

As a blogger located in Australia but blogging to an international audience via a site located on a server located in the US hosted by an Australian company, (confused? me too!), I’m not sure if I qualify for your list. But if I do, I’d love to see where Ask Kalena fits: http://www.searchenginecollege.com/blog.htm
# Thiruon 17 Oct 2007 at 10:17 pm

Thanks Meg. You are doing a great job - I was thinking you are able to access the subscriber count via the feedburner API. I do not have much expertise with APIs.
# Megon 17 Oct 2007 at 11:10 pm

Thanks Thiru
# Stephen Croninon 29 Oct 2007 at 7:30 pm

Hi Meg,
I’ll bite… I suspect I’ll be just outside the top 100, but I’d love to be included - IF I qualify (I’m an Aussie living in China, but I’ve used my Australian address for everything to do with my site and I’m returning in 6 months or so). If I don’t qualify, no worries

Anyway, great list!
# Megon 29 Oct 2007 at 7:36 pm

Hi Stephen

You’re on the “radar” so to speak!. I’ve added you to my list to check this week (Thursday / Friday) when I do the update
# Stephen Croninon 30 Oct 2007 at 3:52 am

Hi Meg,

Thanks for putting me on the radar - I hope I make a blip!
# Karinaon 31 Oct 2007 at 11:28 am

I would like to register my blog =)
# Karinaon 31 Oct 2007 at 11:31 am

Hmm why is it that my actual blog only has a ranking of 12 because it only registers as blogger. However some of my page views have their own ranking?!?!
# Megon 31 Oct 2007 at 11:42 am

Hi Karina

Some blogspot blogs do have their own Alexa ranking depending on the amount of visitors they have that have the Alexa toolbar installed. If there aren’t enough to register on Alexa, then the blog gets the default rank for blogger, which is (at the moment) 12 - meaning that it is the 12th most popular site in the world amongst Alexa toolbar users.

This is different to Google PageRank, which relies (among other things) on how many people are linking to your site.
# David Tanon 05 Nov 2007 at 9:24 pm

Great job. Mine will be listed one day.
# JD: 1to1million.comon 21 Nov 2007 at 10:59 pm

Hi Meg,

Please register my Blog for your list!

It’s only a few months old but its full of completely transparent, no-BS information on all the different ways to legitimately make some money online!

Keep up the great work, I’ll come check you out at BumpZee and I’ll be looking out for a Paypal donate button somewhere.

Regards

JD
Melbourne, Australia
http://www.1to1million.com
# Leeon 28 Nov 2007 at 12:14 am

Hi Meg,

I’d like to be in the running to make the list! - blog.sarge.com.au

Cheers
Lee

kudos btw!!!
# Deeon 30 Nov 2007 at 1:38 pm

Ooh, I think void-star.net qualifies for this list. Index score of 124,712, if I’m doing my maths right.

I’d be honoured to be considered!
# Megon 30 Nov 2007 at 1:50 pm

Dee

Absolutely right, I’ve added on the list
# Top 100 Australian Blogs (50 With A Bullet) | More Than Scratch The Surfaceon 07 Dec 2007 at 9:19 pm

[…] Ask to be considered for the Top 100 Australian Blogs Index […]
# bonnion 30 Dec 2007 at 8:16 pm

I have absolutely no clue what my page rank is, but I’ve been blogging at the same URL since 2000 and I’ve been an Aussie the whole time.
# Pickledeelon 01 Jan 2008 at 11:41 am

Another Aussie blog - most grateful if you could add to the list. Though its shift to a new URL last month has dropped its Technorati ranking. There you go.

Pickledeel’s last blog post..12 Things to Tell Your CIA Captors
# Riaynon 02 Jan 2008 at 1:49 pm

Can I register my blog as well? I doubt it would be anywhere near the top 100, but maybe one day it might be.

Riayn’s last blog post..Things I want to do in 2008
# Karen (Misc Mum)on 10 Jan 2008 at 12:53 pm

Hon - Can you add my old friend. He’s just claimed his blog on technorati.
http://osmocote.livejournal.com/

Karen (Misc Mum)’s last blog post..Bon Bon Quotes #4
# Johnny Mestizoon 19 Jan 2008 at 1:58 am

Mine is not near Top 100 but I’ll keep trying! Please add
Johnny Mestizo’s last blog post..My tribute drive to the Adelaide cycling community
# DaNnY bOyon 26 Jan 2008 at 1:43 pm

Hi,
I might as well throw my hat into the ring as well for my blog. http://whatsonthetube.net dunno if it’s that popular to mae the list but can’t hurt to give it a shot.

DaNnY bOy’s last blog post..The Night Cap - Want To Make A Star Out of A Cabbie?
# Andrewon 27 Jan 2008 at 11:08 pm

Hi Meg, I’m just a new member to Aussie Bloggers and wondered if you could please add my blog to your index although i’ll probably never hit the top 1000 let alone 100, but hey it would be nice just to be included in the count! cheers, Andrew

Blog: http://blog.televisionau.com
Web: http://www.televisionau.com

Andrew’s last blog post..1978: January 28-February 3
# Neil Ducketton 28 Jan 2008 at 12:38 am

Hi Meg, i’d like you to consider my blog please. I am an Australian guy living in Tokyo.

I hope you’ll find your visit to my site a pleasurable one!

Thanks.

Neil

www.neilduckett.com

Neil Duckett’s last blog post..Photo Hunt - Old Fashioned, Jidai Okure
# Digital Photo Tedon 02 Feb 2008 at 10:58 am

Meg,

I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask to add my humble visual rumblings, if you don’t mind.

Ted

Digital Photo Ted’s last blog post..Communication breakdown
# Jen Lehenyon 03 Feb 2008 at 11:43 pm

hi Meg I would love my blog to be considered for the list. www.jenleheny.com

thanks!

Jen Leheny’s last blog post..hotspots
# laketreeson 06 Feb 2008 at 7:23 pm

hi Meg
I can’t work out your calculations this month …for my blog ..laketrees…
regards Kim

laketrees’s last blog post..Ranking and Awards
# Christieon 11 Mar 2008 at 4:39 am

Hi Meg, I’d love to be included if possible. My blog is fairly new, but top 100 is a great aspiration! Cheers, Christie

Christie’s last blog post..All Women Blogging Carnival
# Melon 05 Apr 2008 at 10:23 pm

not sure i would qualify but i thought id leave a comment here anyway just in case
Mel’s last blog post..Ice Cream Cone Muffins!!!
# James Clarkon 14 Apr 2008 at 5:48 pm

Hi Meg, great idea. I’d like to be included if possible.

http://www.itravelnet.com/blog/notes.html

Thanks

James Clark
# Malcolm Lambeon 21 Apr 2008 at 8:46 am

Hey Meg, look at that - I just scraped in at #97 with my Paris-based Aussie blog Welcome to Wallyworld. I haven’t been blogging much lately and my traffic has halved so that result surprises me. Maybe I should pull my finger out
# Slave 2 Neton 23 Apr 2008 at 3:37 pm

I run a website and Im an Aussie.

Its only new, so it probably wont make the list.

Hopefully you can consider it for the future?

http://www.slavetotheinternet.com

Thanks
Craig

Slave 2 Net’s last blog post..Google Sky
# Two heavyweights duke it out in a public blogging fued « Ocker Zeal | Australian Independent Online Mediaon 07 May 2008 at 10:09 am

[…] Tsiamis of Dipping Into The Blogpond uses three variables to work out the blog rankings, one of which is the Alexa ranking. After Blogpond reported on a […]
# cellobellaon 19 May 2008 at 10:53 pm

Having read all these comments I suspect making the top 100 will be even more of a challenge.
Thanks Meg for getting your brain around this list. It’s beyond me.
CB x

cellobella’s last blog post..The trouble with keys
# The Top 100 Australian Blogs Index : redsultana.comon 19 May 2008 at 11:27 pm

[…] haven’t done a geekie post for a while but I thought I’d give a thumbs up to Meg who runs the Top 100 index for Australian […]
# Bettinaon 19 May 2008 at 11:53 pm

so this is how one gets on the consideration list?

add me baby! lol

please?

smooches

Bettina’s last blog post..For Kelley
# Riaynon 20 May 2008 at 1:53 pm

Not entirely sure if my blog is registered to be in the running for the top 100 list. I am definitely not in this caliber yet, but one day I might be.

Riayn’s last blog post..Eating Local
# kristarellaon 24 May 2008 at 9:01 am

Looking at my ranks I don’t think I’d be in the top 100, but I’d appreciate if you considered kristarella.com anyway.

kristarella’s last blog post..Tumblr, tweets and twizzles (for shizzle)
# Arnold - Mr.Gadgeton 28 May 2008 at 3:20 pm

Hi Meg,

Can you please add Mr.Gadget Australia to your blog database?

Keen to see how we’re doing compared to other blogs in Oz.

Best Regards,
Arnold Aranez

Mr.Gadget Australia

Arnold - Mr.Gadget’s last blog post..3G iPhone to Come in Three Colors?
# Mariaon 01 Jun 2008 at 7:49 pm

Hi.

Please add my blog to your list - it’s the top digital scrapbooking blog in Australia.

Thanks!

Maria

Maria’s last blog post..Digital Scrapbook Freebies - 2008-05-30
# Angela @ KidStyleFile.com.auon 08 Jun 2008 at 8:31 pm

Hey Meg.

Would love you to consider my site for the top 100 Aussie blogs list (just broke into the women’s list, and I’m buzzed!)

Details are: KidStyleFile http://www.kidstylefile.com.au

Thank you

Angela.

Angela @ KidStyleFile.com.au’s last blog post..Home Library Book Review: Blasts From The Past
# Neil Creekon 16 Jun 2008 at 5:01 pm

Hi Meg, great work you’re doing here!

I would very much appreciate it if you could include my blog in your calculations. It’s located at: http://neil.creek.name/blog “Neil Creek - Photographer”. If you want to track my subscribers, the feedburner link is: http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/dashboard?id=1111193

Thank you very much!

Neil Creek’s last blog post..Spare Room Photo Studio - Before
# Craig Thomleron 23 Jun 2008 at 8:12 pm

My blog is probably much too niche to ever get into the Top 100 list.

(Not that it is established yet - it’s a baby!)

How about a list of the most influential Australian blogs?

Though dunno how you’d measure this - comment count? link influence (like PageRank)?

Or even a vote!

Craig Thomler’s last blog post..Making government recruitment effective online
# mummifiedx5on 29 Jun 2008 at 11:43 am

Hi Meg,

Can I get my other blogs added to the list please?

http://housewifehiccups.com

http://originalmx5.net

Also how can I get my blogs added to the blogroll?

Cheers~ Tina

mummifiedx5’s last blog post..Should I?
# 70 most popular blogs in Malaysia at Blogjer is about bloggerson 30 Jun 2008 at 1:24 am

[…] instead of relying on 1 variable such as Alexa or Technorati, it calculates the ranking based on formula derived from few variables. While many still claim this to be inaccurate (there is no real formula […]
# LJPon 01 Jul 2008 at 1:48 pm

Hi, can I add my blog to the list? It’s Australian (VIC!)

SaveSaveSave
http://savesavesave.blogspot.com

Cheers!
LJP

LJP’s last blog post..Entrecard Droppings
# Inson 04 Jul 2008 at 5:49 am

Hi,

I was wondering if you exclude professional blogs belonging to newspapers and celebrities.

Thanks for a great index
# Charlie Joneson 06 Jul 2008 at 8:52 pm

Have you looked at Pete Williams’ blog yet?

http://preneurmarketing.com/
# Top 100 Australian Blog:on 20 Jul 2008 at 12:50 pm

[…] can read about the formula used to rank the blogs on the “About the Tip 100 Australian Blogs” page, but essentially the calculation is based on Alexa toolbar, and Technorati rankings. I […]
# James Duthieon 21 Jul 2008 at 3:32 pm

Hey Meg,

Just wanted to put my blog up for consideration - Online Marketing Banter. According to your criteria/formula it would make the list.

Thanks for your consideration
James Duthie’s last blog post..Guest post on SEO 2.0