SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the act of optimizing a website for free placement in search engine's listings. To rank well naturally, a web owner can reap the benefits of free traffic search engines have to offer.
Google, Yahoo, and MSN utilize automated programs known as spiders and robots, which crawl website pages. This precedes the crawling of a page, which is later added to a search engines large index. Literally, billions of pages are indexed. When a search request is made, the search engine compares the string to the information stored on the billions of pages in the database. The search engine algorithm determines the relevancy of the pages in the massive index to the search string that is requested.
Functions performed by search engines:
- Web Spidering - Index Web Pages - Process Information - Calculate Relevancy - Retrieve Information
An algorithm is a set of rules"used to determine the relevancy of requested search queries. Algorithms are kept private from the public to avoid manipulation of search engine results. There are over 200 factors that currently contribute to the search relevancy calculation. Even though there are slight differences in ranking rules for the major search engines, for the most part, all major search engines follow similar rules when it comes to determining search relevancy.
On-Page Optimization
These are factors that can be altered on a website by a web owner is considered on-page optimization. These factors include the density of keywords used on a page, key terms used in the Title, Meta, and Alt tags, the type of support pages and links being used throughout the website. Search engine's algorithm will also consider the strength of a keyword by it's prominence on a web page. Usually, the first 200 words on a page holds more weight than the keywords below it.
Other contributing factors to on-page optimization is the use of similar words to key terms targeted, video usage, blogs, and the way top-level sections are structured. The type of servers being used, a domain names public status, time spent on site stats, and bounce rates are some of the other factors that contribute. With on-page optimization being important to a well optimized site, it only contributes about 30% of a full SEO strategy. The other 70% is accomplished with off-page factors.
Off-Page Optimization
Factors that can not be controlled by a website owner or webmaster is considered off-page optimization. These factors include the type of links pointing back to a website. To search engines, this is considered a vote and the site providing the link is basically vouching for the site they are pointing to. The type of links coming into a site will have different weighing factors. It's not uncommon to have most of the inbound links providing absolutely no link value to a website. So, when acquiring links, it's important that a site receives quality links as opposed to quantity of links.
Social media plays an important role in off-page optimization. Utilizing social media is a very popular strategy of creating attention and building up a following. Attention getting viral campaigns can create a large influx of traffic and potential inbound links.
Search Engine Optimization, while being rewarding, is a difficult technique to execute of all SEM disciplines. SEO can be time consuming, and the results may not be realized for several months. However, once a site is well optimized and is positioned well in organic search engine traffic, it will have all been worthwhile. - 15433
Google, Yahoo, and MSN utilize automated programs known as spiders and robots, which crawl website pages. This precedes the crawling of a page, which is later added to a search engines large index. Literally, billions of pages are indexed. When a search request is made, the search engine compares the string to the information stored on the billions of pages in the database. The search engine algorithm determines the relevancy of the pages in the massive index to the search string that is requested.
Functions performed by search engines:
- Web Spidering - Index Web Pages - Process Information - Calculate Relevancy - Retrieve Information
An algorithm is a set of rules"used to determine the relevancy of requested search queries. Algorithms are kept private from the public to avoid manipulation of search engine results. There are over 200 factors that currently contribute to the search relevancy calculation. Even though there are slight differences in ranking rules for the major search engines, for the most part, all major search engines follow similar rules when it comes to determining search relevancy.
On-Page Optimization
These are factors that can be altered on a website by a web owner is considered on-page optimization. These factors include the density of keywords used on a page, key terms used in the Title, Meta, and Alt tags, the type of support pages and links being used throughout the website. Search engine's algorithm will also consider the strength of a keyword by it's prominence on a web page. Usually, the first 200 words on a page holds more weight than the keywords below it.
Other contributing factors to on-page optimization is the use of similar words to key terms targeted, video usage, blogs, and the way top-level sections are structured. The type of servers being used, a domain names public status, time spent on site stats, and bounce rates are some of the other factors that contribute. With on-page optimization being important to a well optimized site, it only contributes about 30% of a full SEO strategy. The other 70% is accomplished with off-page factors.
Off-Page Optimization
Factors that can not be controlled by a website owner or webmaster is considered off-page optimization. These factors include the type of links pointing back to a website. To search engines, this is considered a vote and the site providing the link is basically vouching for the site they are pointing to. The type of links coming into a site will have different weighing factors. It's not uncommon to have most of the inbound links providing absolutely no link value to a website. So, when acquiring links, it's important that a site receives quality links as opposed to quantity of links.
Social media plays an important role in off-page optimization. Utilizing social media is a very popular strategy of creating attention and building up a following. Attention getting viral campaigns can create a large influx of traffic and potential inbound links.
Search Engine Optimization, while being rewarding, is a difficult technique to execute of all SEM disciplines. SEO can be time consuming, and the results may not be realized for several months. However, once a site is well optimized and is positioned well in organic search engine traffic, it will have all been worthwhile. - 15433
About the Author:
Alex Plana is an experienced Search Marketing Expert in SEO and PPC. He currently runs and operates PlanASEM.com, a PPC Management and Search Engine Optimization Service site.
