Insights from Google’s Leaked Documents on SEO
SEO has been an area of intense study and speculation ever since Google was established. Despite extensive research and theories about effective SEO practices, Google has never explicitly confirmed the specifics of their search ranking system.
The secrecy surrounding Google’s search ranking system has made it as enigmatic as the KFC recipe or Coca-Cola formula. However, a surprising turn of events has emerged with the leak of 2,500 internal documents from Google’s Search division, which has been verified as authentic.
Here are ten key takeaways from these documents:
Clicks Matter
It’s well-known that clicks are important. Google uses a system called NavBoost to enhance performance by analyzing clicks on search results.Chrome Clicks
A notable finding is that clicks made through the Chrome browser carry more weight. Google tracks these clicks to possibly influence which internal pages are highlighted in search results, though the exact impact is still unclear.Site Authority Equals Domain Authority
Google employs a concept similar to Domain Authority, known as siteAuthority. This metric plays a crucial role in determining which websites are ranked in search results.Brand Significance
The importance of branded searches and online presence is emphasized. Metrics such as brand mentions, backlinks, and searches for the brand name influence Google’s ranking.Google Authorship Remains Relevant
Although Google Authorship was a major SEO factor back in 2005, it still influences rankings. The documents reference attributes like “isAuthor” and “authorName,” suggesting that authorship impacts content quality and expertise evaluations.Content Length Matters
The significance of content length remains, with longer content often ranking better. Google uses metrics like OriginalContentScore for short-form content and tracks content length through numTokens and leadingtext.Link Clicks Are Crucial
Backlinks are valuable, but only if they come from sites with traffic. The documents reveal a totalClicks metric that helps Google assess the traffic to linked pages.Whitelisted Domains
Some websites are whitelisted, indicating they are recognized as authentic and trusted. Google uses tags such as isElectionAuthority and isCovidLocalAuthority to give preferential treatment to certain sites.Content Updates Are Important
Regular content updates positively affect SEO. Google monitors changes through urlHistory and bylineDate, using this information to help rank pages.Tags for Small Personal Sites
Smaller personal websites receive a specific tag. There is speculation about whether this tag affects their ranking, either boosting or demoting their visibility.
The leaked documents provide a wealth of information, confirming many existing SEO theories and revealing new insights. Google has acknowledged the leak but cautioned against drawing inaccurate conclusions from potentially outdated or incomplete information.
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