Google's new ranking algorithm

The search engine world was shaken up a couple of weeks ago when sites that had been entrenched in the top listings for some of Google's prime search keywords suddenly fell from grace. Some of those who were bumped into oblivion had held those spots for months or even years, and cracking into the top rankings was next to impossible. Now it's a whole new SEO ballgame.

Of course, the exact reasoning behind Google's change is known only to Google, along with the specifics of the new algorithm. Despite this, SEO's worldwide were frantically trying to decipher the new system, and after a few days, a few conclusions seem clear:

1. Google was trying to "level the playing field"again. Google has prided itself on being a democratic search engine, the search engine of the people, by the people, and for the people. Therefore, one of their openly stated goals is to prevent SEO sites from taking over the top listings. They want Joe Normal's website to have an equal chance at a good ranking as long as it offers an equivalent product or service.

2. Certain heavily visited keywords seem to have been targeted, while other search terms were left alone.

Unfortunately, one other thing is very clear from looking at the results:

3. The new algorithm isn't working.

If Google's goal is to make sure that the top listings are quality sites offering quality results for the keywords in question, unaffected by SEO manipulation, then it's hard to argue from a user standpoint (from the standpoint of an SEO copywriter, of course, I don't necessarily agree!). However, some of the top rankings now in some of the hottest internet markets are going to sites which are, if you'll excuse the bluntness, garbage. Spammed domain names, worthless products/services. In other words, the new algorithm actually made things worse. In short, it backfired!

Of course, the big question now is, what will Google do next? It seems pretty obvious that they will try to fix their latest tweak, so that it works as intended. How well they can do it or how long it will take are very much up in the air.

Something else that seems obvious is that they will continue to try to come up with ways to circumvent the SEO's. There are a lot of theories floating around out there about what will be next on the chopping block: Meta tags? Alt tags? Link pages? All of the above?

Panic is spreading in some quarters, but I think perhaps it's premature. After all, again, what Google aims to do is provide the highest quality search results possible for its users. That means that a good website, with solid informative and relevant content, offering a valid product or service, is supposed to come out on top in the end. As long as you haven't resorted to any "SEO tricks", and have made the foundation of your search engine marketing the creation of a very solid website, then the change should ultimately work out in your favor.

SharpNET Solutions: Search Engine Marketing

Comments

[Pawan Bangar]

We are Birbals from India.Good to know that google have changed its algorithm.it will help those individuals who dont have much money and want to share their knowledge with the world.

This will help in increasing the popularity of the internet.More people will get their work online if they get good results.initially some people waere not getting online because they thought that it's no use if you cant get good ranking.nobody will know about you and your work if the website is not optimised by the SEO's.

We wish the google "All the best".
Thanks for helping us in getting what we want.

[Brad]

I disagree w/ Pawan. In the 2 sites I have described on this (http://sharpnet.typepad.com/search_engine_optimizatio/2004/02/content_vs_back.html#c624193) both were designed by me, an SEO, but did not use any manipulating techniques. They both were simple, straight forward, CLEAN, sites that were built to give the search engines CONTENT on each page right at the highest level of the html code. They were both small business sites targeting keywords for a narrow geographical area. However, since this Google change, all the first 2 or 3 pages are now spamming directory sites. Who wants to search 3x for what they are looking for. Why does google want to help the directory sites reach the top of the listings in EVERYTHING? To me, Google has not helped the ones that can't afford SEO, but have helped the big guys and kicked the little guys out - even though the little guy follows every Google rule and has RICH RELIVANT CONTENT w/ a CLEAN site. I just love it when I get a full page of directory sites or listings that link to a site's link farm! Now that is relivant results. ...and what made Google so popular in the first place? I smell a big mistake.

[Laura Seeley]

I sympathize with your frustration, Brad. Google has been traditionally a tough nut to crack; some sites that were very worthy never got much recognition, while others that seemed to violate every rule were rewarded with top spots. It's one reason why I was pleased to see Google doing massive revamps of their algorithm, even though I knew it meant short-term turbulence. I hoped then, and I hope now, that the end result of all the shakeups will be a good search engine that really does deliver good and relevant search results, where the little guy really does have equality with big business!

[Lee Saxman]

I just wanted to say that I totally agree with Brad, I didn't know that this site was here until a minute ago after searching for SEO I'm In the same boat as Brad. I sent a e-mail to Google today I'll share it.:

HI,
I'm the owner of Magazine-Land, I just have a couple of questions. I started this site in September of last year this was my first venture in the Website world. So I read articles subscribed to news letters and so on. I started optimizing my site for better search engine results, and everything was going fine. I had my pages show up between 1 and 5 in the results. This was fine there is allot of competition for the magazine subscription market.

Then you changed your algorithm at least that is what I read.. Know I have gone back and tried to Optimize again. I also read your information on how to optimize for google. Ok with that said I have been adding more relevant links to my site as you recommend. Relevant so I'm trying to link with sites that have individual interests or hobbies for instance a Jeep site I have links from his site to mine promoting Off Road Magazines sounds good..I didn't want to set up a bunch of links that meant nothing .

Ok, so the real question is: Know I can't even get the name of my site in the first page of the search???? I used to have over 600 pages indexed. Now I'm down to a little over 400. So I'm wondering have I some how been banned or penalized for something I don't know about.

Any response would be helpful.

Frustrated Website Owner
Lee Saxman
Owner www.magazine-land.com

[Kristof O.]

As a web surfer who uses Google, I also am disappointed with Google results lately. I go to Google to find information and what do I get? A lot of blatent advertisements for other directories or search engines! Also I am skeptical that Google can remain "democratic" now that it has gone public. On the other hand, it was time for a shake-down. Even if the new algorithm is "less fair," I support the need for Google to experiment and to give other sites a chance to be at the top. But has Google succeeded in reducing the appearance of blatent "hustlers" at the top of the results? NO! I really think they have made a few wrong turns, for sure.

[sagar]

I am very much keen in knowing how google manages to retrieve information within a second.
I would like to know the algorithm which is used in the same.

Please reply to this comment.

[Namit]

I started with searching for google's code for efficient search. got a link to this page through google itself.

read all the blogs.

but finally , i am still searching for the code/ algorithm.

if anybody knows , plz contact me at my id- tripleplus@rediffmail.com with the subject header of "google algorithm"

if anybody knows it, still does not want to vomit ou the secret, he/she might , ih she wishes, can give his/her valuable "hints" to me.