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GOOGLE PAGERANK PUZZLE 2

The New Enhanced Google PageRank 2: Missing Parts

To improve the quality of their search results, changes in search engine ranking algorithms commonly encounter, and Google PageRank algorithm is no exception - although successful it need to evolve continually. The nature or the extent of adjustments to algorithm are usually kept as a secret, both because of the competitors and potential spammers. That's why the recent New PageRank analyses, conducted by well known search gurus, are the most relevant sources for information on the current PageRank algorithm.

As expert website optimization and promotion involve continual research, learning, and utilizing that knowledge, here is the overview of the most interesting data and influencing factors, utilized as input for a some recent New PageRank analyses. If these factors are not all implemented right now, or not implemented in full, they might be the next enhancement in Google ranking system.

THEMES COMEBACK

Simply put, themes refer to spider's ability to categorize the subject of a page, thus rendering SERPs on the basis of the theme of a query, and not just by matching the keywords.

Themes are not a new concept, as AltaVista, and to some extent Inktomi and Google (and others powered by them) have used it for a few years. Many search experts explained this concept, including Ammon Johns in Vertical themes vectoring and themes-based ranking and Brett Tabke in Search Engine Theme Pyramids. The latter article, although written quite long ago, is still considered important, not only for theme website structure, but for skillful website structure development in general.

WHY THEMES APPROACH NOW?

• The principal SEO method for themes was to properly organize the content of your website in categories, based on the target audience's interest. Your website content should be structured into main categories, than refined to a more specific sub-categories, and finally refined to specific topics. A themed approach helps you website obtain higher search engine rankings, as spiders can easily determine a theme of your website, and follow links to more specific information. At the same time, this method obviously helps to establish a more usable website. The basic SEO approach for themes is user oriented.
  

• Themes concept, i.e. the spider's ability to categorize the complete website on the basis of website topic / theme uniformity, was discussed in various papers as possible search engines ranking criterion. All these approaches shared the same concept that webpages are ranked based on both their own and other webpages' content.

• Both Wisenut (owned by LookSmart ) and Teoma (owned by AskJeeves) accommodated themes / topical driven algorithms from the beginning, but based on the limited databases.

• The potential implementation of a theme-based ranking algorithm on Google has been discussed thoroughly on various expert forums (Webmasterworld, Highrankings, Cre8asite, Seochat, etc.). The hypothesis that inbound links from websites with a similar theme/topic have greater impact on PageRank than from topically unrelated was not only often theoretically explained, but also documented.

TEOMA & SUBJECT-SPECIFIC-POPULARITY ^SM

While Google ranks webpages based on the quality, the number of inbound links and the link anchor text, Teoma ranks sites based on naturally / organically organized topic related website communities that link to each other, and not general popularity.

"Teoma analyzes the Web as it is organically organized - in naturally-occurring communities that are about or related to the same subject - to determine which sites are most relevant. Teoma is the only search technology that can locate communities on the Web within their specific subject areas, as they actually exist." (The Teoma Difference is Authority)

Teoma, through Subject-Specific Popularity, determines the authority of a website, depending on the number of inbound links it gets from other webpages within the same topic / theme / subject.

"Subject-Specific Popularity ranks a site based on the number of same-subject pages that reference it, not just general popularity. Authority represents a level of expertise or knowledge to a Web page as validated by other Web pages about the same subject."

Teoma has a ranking system which displays results based on their topic inter connectivity. After the user searches, the initial set of results are re ranked based on links to and from topical centers and authorities. Teoma favors relevant websites with coherent theme, quality content, and quality links referenced by topic related sites. Teoma finds links and resources pages on your site important. For Teoma, having relevant external links are relevant factor in your overall website ranking. External links could be explained on a separate resource or link page. (Jill Whalen, Search Engines Strategies in Chicago, December, 2003)

Teoma is the first completely theme based search engine with considerable audience and highly relevant results. Their relatively small database is the only reason that prevents them to compete with the Yahoo, MSN and Google.

Although much smaller, after further improvements in 2.0 release, Teoma received a relevancy grade of "A" from Search Engine Watch, thus joining Google, Yahoo and MSN.

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 3 >>

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