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Technical implementation · Traditional SEO

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Definition

TrustRank is an algorithm that measures the trustworthiness of a web page based on its proximity to known authoritative seed pages — used to combat spam and low-quality content by propagating trust from verified authoritative sources. Pages linked from trusted sources inherit higher trust scores. TrustRank is primarily a traditional SEO concept, but the underlying principle — that trustworthiness propagates through authoritative links — applies to AI source credibility assessment. Brands whose content is linked from known authoritative sources have higher inherited trust signals. For AI search, this reinforces the value of earning links and citations from established, authoritative publications rather than from low-quality or manufactured sources.

PageRank

Link equity

Domain authority

Source credibility

Backlink

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