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The search marketing company Fortune Interactive conducted a study in which they wanted to find out what factors influence web site rankings on the three major search engines.

How do Google, Yahoo and MSN rank web pages according to the study?

According to the study, Google ranks inbound links by quality, relevance, title keyword, anchor keyword and quantity. In addition, on-page factors such as keywords in the title, anchor keywords, keywords in the body text and general content relevance influence the ranking of a web page.

Inbound link quality is also very important to Yahoo. Yahoo looks at inbound links for relevance, anchor keyword and keywords in the title. Yahoo also looks at the quantity of links. On page factors such as keywords in the title and the body text are also important as well as general content relevance.

Inbound links are also very important in the ranking algorithm of MSN. However, the order is different. MSN analyzes inbound links for quality, anchor keywords, relevance and keywords in the title. The quantity is also weighted not as much as in Yahoo. In addition, MSN looks at keywords in the title, body text and anchors when it comes to on-page factors. General content relevance and the content of the title are also important.

Inbound link quality is the most important factor

According to the study, the quality of inbound links is the most important off-page factor whereas the quantity of inbound links is not that important. The most important on-page factor is the keyword density in the title tag.

Do the study results apply to your web site?

The study was conducted for the keyword "laptop". The results do not necessarily apply to your own web site.

Fortunately, there is a way to get this data for your own web site and your own keyword. Use IBP's Top 10 Inbound Link Optimizer to get a detailed analysis of the linking structure of the top ranked web pages.

You'll quickly find out how the links to your web site should look like if you want to get high rankings on Google, Yahoo and MSN. In addition, use IBP's Top 10 Web Page Optimizer to find the on-page elements that your web site must have to qualify for high rankings for your keyword.

The study confirms that your web site must have good inbound links and optimized web page content if you want to get high rankings on Google, Yahoo and MSN. Fortunately, our search engine optimization tool IBP can help you with both aspects.

Google crushes competitors in U.S. search market

"Google processed almost 2.67 billion queries, or 49.4 percent of June's total, while Yahoo followed in a distant second place with 1.24 billion, for a 23 percent market share.

Microsoft's MSN unit (10.3 percent), Time Warner Inc.'s AOL LLC (6.9 percent) and IAC/InterActiveCorp's Ask.com (2.3 percent) rounded out the top five."

Less people use 1 word phrase in search engines

"Most people use 2 word phrases in search engines. Of all the search phrases world wide, 28.91 percent of the people use 2 word phrases, 27.85 percent use 3 word phrases and 17.11 percent use 4 word phrases. Less and less people use now 1 keyword [...]"

Editor's note: Read the chapter about finding the right keywords in our free SEO book to find the best keywords for your web site.

'Power failure' cuts off Yahoo users

"After users reported being locked out of Yahoo's mail, IM, search and content services over the weekend, the web giant blames a power outage"

Search engine newslets

• Google releases Accessible Web Search.
• Ask.com monkeys around with ads.
• Yahoo, Symantec debut Net security service.
• Database guru to run Yahoo social search research.
• Google Toolbar for Firefox update.
• Yahoo! scoops Motorola deal.
• MSN revenues decline slightly; investments continue.
• Microsoft says Vista to allow Google search engine.
• Google video ads best practices.

In race with Google, it's consistency vs. 'wow'

"Google Maps still does not offer some of the pedestrian conveniences of Yahoo Maps and MapQuest from AOL. For example, it does not remember addresses, so users need to tell it where they live every time they want driving directions."

 

Google click fraud efforts 'not perfect'

"'These efforts were not perfect since Google missed certain amounts of invalid clicks over these years ...,' Tuzhilin wrote. 'However, click fraud is a very difficult problem to solve, Google put a significant effort to solve it, and I find their efforts to be reasonable.'"

Do Google ads belong on a company desktop?

"A start-up called Spiceworks is testing whether Google ads--commonly seen on blogs and other public Web sites--can finance a software company that sells to businesses."

Decision expected in Google clicks suit

"Plaintiffs in a class-action suit argued Monday that Google has not exercised reasonable care to prevent 'click fraud' and has misrepresented efforts to stop swindlers from repeatedly clicking Web site links to drive up advertising costs."

"I have obtained 10 top ten positions on 2 of the major search engines within 3 months"

"Without the right tools it is impossible to obtain top 10 positions on the search engines that matter. [...] there are many websites out there that offer tools and advice, but none of them offer a complete solution.

After using the advice given by IBP I have obtained 10 top ten positions on 2 of the major search engines within 3 months.

The Top 10 Optimizer is invaluable, priceless - this IS a must have for any Internet business operator. You simply must have it to firstly obtain a top ten position and then keep it."
Peter Curtis, www.holisticpages.co.uk

Win an iPod Shuffle - Last chance!

We're looking for feedback to the all-new IBP/ARELIS version.

Tell us how the new IBP/ARELIS version has helped to improve your web site.

The names of all participants will be entered into a raffle for an iPod Shuffle. Thank you for helping us make IBP a better product!

The winner of the iPod Shuffle (who accepts the prize) will be listed in this newsletter. This offer is valid until 31 July 2006.

Submit your web site to your own directory lists

The new IBP version 9.1 now allows you to add your own search engines and Internet directories to the submitter.

If you haven't done it yet, download your free trial version now.

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