Google's Next Big Move

Written by David Leonhardt


November 2003 might go down in history asrepparttar month that Google shook a lot of smug webmasters and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists fromrepparttar 128312 apple tree. But more than likely, it was just a precursor ofrepparttar 128313 BIG shakeup to come.

Google touts highly its secret PageRank algorithm. Although PageRank is just one factor in choosing what sites appear on a specific search, it isrepparttar 128314 main way that Google determinesrepparttar 128315 "importance" of a website.

In recent months, SEO specialists have become expert at manipulating PageRank, particularly through link exchanges.

There is nothing wrong with links. They makerepparttar 128316 Web a web rather than a series of isolated islands. However, PageRank relies onrepparttar 128317 naturally "democratic" nature ofrepparttar 128318 web, whereby webmasters link to sites they feel are important for their visitors. Google rightly sees link exchanges designed to boost PageRank as stuffingrepparttar 128319 ballot box.

I was not surprised to see Google try to counter allrepparttar 128320 SEO efforts. In fact, I have been arguingrepparttar 128321 case with many non-believing SEO specialists overrepparttar 128322 past couple months. But I was surprised to seerepparttar 128323 clumsy way in which Google chose to do it.

Google targeted specific search terms, including many ofrepparttar 128324 most competitive and commercial terms. Many websites lost top positions in five or six terms, but maintain their positions in several others. This had never happened before. Give credit to Barry Lloyd of www.SearchEngineGuide.com for cleverly uncoveringrepparttar 128325 process.

For Google, this shakeup is just a temporary fix. It will have to make much bigger changes if it is serious about harnessingrepparttar 128326 "democratic" nature ofrepparttar 128327 Web and neutralizingrepparttar 128328 artificial results of so many link exchanges.

Here are a few techniques Google might use (remember to think like a search engine):

1.Google might start valuing inbound links within paragraphs much higher than links that stand on their own. (For all we know, Google is already doing this.) Such links are much less likely to berepparttar 128329 product of a link exchange, and therefore more likely to be genuine "democratic" votes.

Relatively Speaking

Written by Dan Reinhold


This article may only be reproduced in its entirety, includingrepparttar resource box and subscription information electronically or in print. A courtesy copy of your publication would be nice, too!

Relatively Speaking by Dan Reinhold

It's so true.

That old saying about friends and relatives?

And when you work at home??? Hooooboy...

That's when Aunt Mary talks to your mother about someone she saw on Oprah "just like" you who ended up penniless, deranged and living onrepparttar 128311 street.

So what that you've received three new contracts and are not accepting more projects until 2015?

And Cousin Susie who's bragging to everyone (especially in hearing range of you) about her wonderful 6% raise after two years with her employer...

...not mentioning, for some reason, that her childcare costs have risen so much she needed 10% more at least...

While you smile withrepparttar 128312 knowledge that your business revenues have increased 15% inrepparttar 128313 last quarter.

Then there's your brother, who states in no uncertain terms that all this work at home nonsense is just scams and ripoffs and a bunch of fly-by-nights and you're crazy to do it.

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