Search Engine Algorithms

Search engine algorithms are without doubt one of the best kept secrets in the world .

The purpose of algorithms is to keep indexing websites so that they can provide a searcher with a list of relevant and accurate information. If they can do this they ensure that searches are successful and as a search engine they are successful too.

Search engines continually change their algorithms and the reason they do this is so that they can fight black hat techniques and reward good rankings to those that practice ethical SEO.

Many have tried to find out and manipulate algorithms and to protect themselves search engines use off site criteria to rank web pages. Many have tried and many have failed.

If it were completely possible to manipulate algorithms search engine results would become totally irrelevant and this it would result in a bloody war amongst those fighting for rankings.

Is it possible to predict when algorithms change?

When algorithms change they give no warning. One day you are the top of the rankings and the next you aren’t. This is one negative aspect of algorithm changes. Yet although it isn’t possible to predict when changes will take place it is possible to predict the direction these changes will take. For instance, Meta tags.

Meta tags were designed to allow webmasters to list important keywords so that search engines could figure out where to place a website on a results page. It did not take long for unethical practices to start in which resulted in trying to fool the algorithms by stuffing keywords into the Meta tags. This caused a major algorithm change and today Meta tags no longer hold the value they once did.

Another case in point is the practice of cloaking. Algorithms underwent a change as a direct result of cloaking techniques.

Even though algorithms change it is not hard to keep your website in the rankings. You need to know the criteria search engines place on ethical SEO practice, some imagination and common sense.

more to follow...

remember, Pigs DO Fly