| Welcome
to the latest issue of the Search Engine
Facts newsletter.
This week, we're telling you how to react to the latest ranking algorithm changes in MSN Search, Google and Yahoo. In the news: Keyword prices continue to climb, changes in Google AdWords algorithm annoy advertisers, Yahoo adds SMS text search and more. Table of contents:
We hope that you enjoy this newsletter and that it helps you to get more out of your web site. Please pass this newsletter on to your friends. Best regards, |
| 1. Facts of the week Facts of the week: How to react to MSN Search's latest algorithm change |
Maybe you have read about the latest ranking algorithm changes on MSN Search in online forums. It seems that on-page factors are now more important and that MSN Search prefers web pages that are listed higher in the web site directory structure (http://www.example.com/widget.htm is preferred over a web page that lie deeper in the directory struture: http://www.example.com/widget/green/large/widget.htm). It also seems that MSN Search likes static pages better than dynamically generated web pages. How should you react to ranking algorithm changes? Whether it's MSN Search, Google, Yahoo or any other search engine that changes its ranking algorithm. There is one basic rule: don't panic! Many ranking algorithm changes that are discussed in online forums are just yakety-yak. Only the search engines know which algorithms they use and they don't publish that information. Before you change something on your web site, you should be sure what really works for your web site and what doesn't. How to find out which ranking tips are really true Don't follow the tips and tricks in online forums blindly. Better do your own research. For example, if you want to be ranked highly for the search term "blue widget" on Google.com then take a look at the web pages that currently have a top 10 ranking for that search term on Google.com. These web sites are obviously compliant to Google's ranking algorithm and they have done something right. Otherwise, they wouldn't be listed on the first result page. Analyze these pages to find out what they have done to get the top 10 listing. Where do they use the search term in the web page title? How often does the search term appear on the web page? Where exactly on the web page does the search term appear? How many web sites link to the web page? There are dozens of web page factors that can influence your search engine rankings. Find out how the top ranked pages use the search term and then adjust your web pages so that they are similar. That way you can be sure that your web pages are compliant to Google's ranking algorithm. Of course, this also works with Yahoo, MSN Search and other search engines. If you want to save time, use IBP's Top 10 Optimizer to analyze the top ranked pages. IBP's Top 10 Optimizer does the nitty-gritty work for you and it presents the results in an easy to understand report. The key to high rankings on Google, Yahoo, MSN Search and others If you know how to make your web pages search engine ready, high search engine rankings are no mystery. Don't rely on rumors you hear in online forums when it comes to search engine optimization but focus on the facts. Details can be found in our free SEO ebook. |
| 2. Search engine news of the week |
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"Online search advertising terms across a broad array of categories rose an average of 3 percent last month to $1.72--from $1.67 in May, according to the Fathom Online Keyword Price Index. Overall, keyword prices were up approximately 25 percent since last September." Editor's note: If you want to become less dependent from paid clicks, try to get listed in the unpaid search results on major search engines.
"Yahoo accidentally revealed its upcoming RSS search plans on Friday, after curious bloggers found a secret test page designed to search indexed syndication feeds. [...] A few hours after the discovery of the test site by bloggers it was yanked by the search giant."
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| 3. Articles of the week |
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"This is the stark reality: People still actually buy and sell links valued against Google's PR score. Which is ridiculous. It's just buying into the myth. [...] A link from a popular and well visited Web site can be invaluable if it sends you qualified traffic that converts. The true value of a link has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with PageRank. [...] The price [for a high PageRank link] is actually based more on your own wasted time and effort if you honestly believe that little green meter on the Google toolbar counts for anything more than novelty value."
"MSN and Yahoo are trying to match Google's uncluttered approach as they push ahead with new technologies. An example: Conceding that less can be more, search.msn.com and search.yahoo.com have long mimicked Google's minimalism. Now both companies are trying to market these little-trafficked, bare-bones sites."
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| 4. Recommended resources |
How to crack Google's ranking algorithm
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The German computer magazine "Internet Professionell" has tested IBP in its latest issue:| 5. Previous articles |
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