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GOOGLE PAGERANK PUZZLE 1

The New Enhanced Google Ranking Algorithm 1: The Solution

Google has made significant changes in their website ranking methods in November 2003 to improve the quality of their search results. Since then, Google have been constantly making adjustments to their new algorithm, without any official announcements regarding the nature or the extent of their changes.

This could be expected, as search engine algorithm is usually kept as a secret, not only because of competitors but because of potential spammers. At the Search Engine Strategies Conference in Chicago (December, 2003), Google's Senior Research Scientist, Craig Nevill-Manning, said, "We're aware that changes in the algorithm affect people's livelihoods. We don't make changes lightly, " and added: "We'll be tweaking the algorithm gradually."

Google did, however, officially introduce a new word stemming feature, although it's still not active in all of the searches:

"Google now uses stemming technology. Thus, when appropriate, it will search not only for your search terms, but also for words that are similar to some or all of those terms. Any variants of your terms that were searched for will be highlighted in the snippet of text accompanying each result."

It is still selective stemming, likely influenced by the Applied Semantics technology, which is more sophisticated than simple stemming. The Google Search is really trying to serve up web pages appropriate to the meaning of your search.

It's also a well know fact Google acquired:

• OutRide in 2002 - contextual and personalized search technology;
• Applied Semantics in April 2003 - AdSense CIRCA technology, utilized to serve relevant advertising for context-based advertising on Google's PPC Adwords, which could also be used in keyword stemming system;
• Kaltix in September 2003 - Kaltix technology, which enables significantly faster computing of the PageRank and implementation of the Topic-Sensitive PageRank concept.

All the above technologies could be quite important to better understanding of the modified website ranking methods and factors Google applied to their ranking algorithm.

SIMPLE SOLUTION TO UNKNOWN INGREDIENTS' PUZZLE

There have been all sorts of speculations about Google's new algorithm, including absurd ones, such as accusing Google of using a "dictionary" to penalize commercial sites for certain search terms or forcing commercial sites to use AdWords. Or similar, accusing Google of ruining SEO firms, penalizing optimized websites or those with reciprocal links.

As with all Google 'conspiracy' theories, the major mistake is confusing the spam and unethical methods with legitimate ones. As search guru Dan Thies underlines: "Another way to describe an optimized web page would be a well structured page that clearly indicates the relevant topics". For Google, or any other relevant search engine, it would be absurd to penalize that kind of websites. On the other hand, it makes a lot of sense for Google to penalize spam like hidden text, keyword stuffing, artificial linking, etc., as always.

There are also some intriguing theories, made by well known search engine gurus, based on the sound reasoning and detailed analysis of the above mentioned technologies that are worth further research. Expert analyses of the new, enhanced Google ranking algorithm, conducted by well known search engine gurus, and explained in laymen's terms. PageRank Puzzle 3 >>
If they are not implemented right now, or not implemented completely, they might be the next enhancement in Google ranking system.

Expert website optimization and promotion involve continual research, learning and understanding how people search, how search engines work, the search technology, search engine business objectives, plans and strategies, etc., and utilizing that knowledge to ensure the fulfillment of your website marketing plans. That's why search guru Danny Sullivan wrote that "search engine marketing is both an art and a science," when done right.

But the most important issue is that, regardless the lack of exact data on new ranking system Google is implementing, the "magic potion" for success is very simple and the same as always:

Websites with relevant content (well formatted, logically organized, easily navigable, using natural language, etc.), supported by relevant, on-topic links - both inbound and outbound perform well at all times, regardless of ranking methods and factors.

Websites that use any kind of doubtful techniques would be excluded sooner or later - spam could never ensure long-term results on search engines!

So, the solution for enhanced Google ranking system is well known. It's the "missing parts" of the new, enhanced Google ranking algorithm that need expert analyses. PageRank Puzzle 2 >>

User Oriented Design & Ethical Website Marketing Strategies by Distinctia, 2006