Google Patent Application – LinkingWritten by Halstatt Pires
The recent patent application filed by Google details numerous items search engine uses to rank web pages. The specific application is summarized as:“A method for scoring a document, comprising: identifying a document; obtaining one or more types of history data associated with document; and generating a score for document based on one or more types of history data.” The patent application sheds significant light for those pursuing search engine optimization with Google. Patent applications can be difficult to understand, so following are highlights for those that don't speak lawyer. Google’s Link Evaluation It is well known that Google uses links as a significant ranking element. Although patent application doesn’t dispute value of linking, it does highlight best method for pursuing a linking strategy. Simply put, consistently adding links will have a much better effect than adding links in bunches. Google notes in patent application that it looks at links from a historical perspective. The search engine notes discovery date of links, life span of link and speed at which a new web site obtains links. This approach reveals that Google is discounting quick link exchange strategies such as buying bulk links for your site. Instead, Google appears to consider a natural linking evolution as a sign that a site is “legitimate.”
| | Google Patent Application - User Data As Part of Ranking ProcessWritten by Halstatt Pires
In this third article, we continue to dig into patent application of Google regarding method used to rank sites in search results. Interestingly, Google asserts in application that it “might” consider user data as a factor in organizing search results.What Is User Data? Without being rude, you should already know what user data is as part of your site evaluation. Any owner of a site on web should be constantly looking at user data found on site servers. The site server should have an administrative program telling you what searches are being used to reach site, better known as “search strings.” The program should also be telling you how many pages user looks at on each visit and where in site they go. By reviewing these statistics, you can identify sections of your site that appeal to potential customers. If clients are leaving after visiting only one or two pages, such statistics should tell you that you have an abandonment problem. The new information from Google patent should motivate you to closely monitor your site. Essentially, Google is also looking at your server statistics to determine value of your content and factoring it into rankings. Specifically, Google claims in patent application that it tracks amount of time that users spend accessing a page on your site. Having filed a few patent applications in my time, what this really means is Google is looking at how long a user spends on your site and how “deep” they go into it.
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