This latest update seems to be very similar to the previous page rank update in which the older sites were also not updated. When reading on various websites about other webmasters opinions on this current trend, I have found a number of reasons as to why this may be happening.

Over the last couple of years there have been quite a large number of link exchange programs which have been created. This have proven to be quite popular but are frowned upon by google as the people who enter these programs are in a way cheating to get to the top. Most people are aware of the importance of backward links and these link exchange programs make it very easy to obtain them. In clearly states however in the google guidelines that webmasters should not take part in these link exchange programs. Webmasters who still go ahead are at risk at having their site or sites banned.

The problem could be that it is very hard for search engines like google to establish which links that each site obtains are from these link exchanges and which links are actual real and valid links. It is possible that google is close to finding a formula to this problem and is delaying any page rank updates on older sites until all of the finishing touches are completed. My advice would be to never take part in any of these link exchange programs and that if you are currently in one, to come out of it as soon as possible.

There are many valid ways of promoting a website such as via writing articles and by having good content which will encourage other webmasters to want to link to your site.

I have to say that for somebody like myself who works very hard to promote my own websites, that it is quite frustrating to not be able to see the changes in the page rank, as when I see my sites go up in page rank it gives me a little boost and shows me that I am still doing the right things. In a way it should not really matter however as I am able to see my websites have higher rankings in the search engines, this itself of course is the most important thing. It is also a good thing that google are trying to stop the people who are trying to cheat their way to the top, that is of course if this is the real reason why there has not been a full page rank update for some time.