How does the Google algorithm work?
You might have read our previous post on how the Facebook Algorithm works. Now it’s time to understand the king of all algorithms - the Google Search Algorithm, also known as PageRank.
So let’s not waste any time and hop on into how this gargantuan beast of a computer code actually works.
To review, an algorithm is a piece of computer code that gives the exact steps to a process to get to a particular outcome. Think of a recipe or building instructions for a toy set, these are both very simple examples of what an algorithm is.
More of a visual person than a reader? Then watch the video!
What is Google Search’s goal when it comes to a user’s search?
The key thing to first understand is what is the goal of Google Search. Google’s objective has been and always will be to give its user the best and most accurate results for their search query. If your query is very broad like “small business”, you’ll be given a bucket load of results that relate to small business. This could be anything and everything from small business computer software to business coaches to social media groups specific to small business. However if you search “small business social media marketing tips,” you will receive results that pertain solely to marketing tips geared toward small businesses. Well, you should, but there are always sneaky websites that try to circumvent the algorithm by dumping a bucketload of keywords into their pages to try and rank for anything. Big no no. Google has been punishing websites like these for a while now as they realise they give zero value to their users. Google will find you my pretties, and your black hat links too!
How does the Google Search Algorithm work?
The Google Search Algorithm, also known as PageRank, is another huge computer code that no one is really sure how it works or came to be so huge. But, here are the basics of how it functions. That at least everyone understands.
Google users spiders, also known as crawlers to crawl along every website on the internet to essentially read what each web page is about. This is where your page titles, meta data descriptions, keywords, image alt text and headings become so very important. If you have these all filled in properly, then the spiders or crawlers can easily read your website and report back to the algorithm what your page is about.
PageRank then gives your page a relevancy score, which is what will determine your relevancy to given query but also where you fall on the results page. The higher the score, the higher on the Google search results page you will appear. The relevancy score is determined by three things:
Frequency and location of your keywords. This is where those sneaky websites try to circumvent the algorithm. We’ve seen some websites where essentially one page is just a giant list of keywords that they want to rank for, such as their product name and every suburb within a given city. These pages are done for with the algorithm, as now Google is emphasising that not only does the page have to be relevant, but the content on it has to be readable. So instead of trying to plug in your keyword into every single sentence on your page, make your page read well and make sense to the reader. Users will bounce off immediately if they find a page illegible. In saying that, don’t have all your keywords in the body text. Have them in your headings as well. Otherwise, PageRank will not like your page very much.
Age of your page. Web pages are getting created every second, but same as when you showed up at a party where you didn’t know anyone, no one is going to flock to you as soon as you enter. They’re going to be wary, maybe a little curious, but over time you’ll have a group of friends and a reputation. Same goes for web pages. The newbies on the inter web block won’t rank high overnight. It takes time to get your web cred.
Which pages link to yours. Like the new kids on the block, you’re more likely to make friends faster if there’s someone you already know at the party. Same goes for web links. If you have other pages, and reputable pages at that, linking to your website, PageRank is going to take notice, and in a good way. They will also notice if you have what’s called black hat links, or web pages of ill repute whose sole purpose is to create back links to your website. That’s the big no no that you don’t want to do.
How to work with the Google PageRank Algorithm
So how do you start to rank in Google Search? The key is time and work. Digital marketing is never easy, and there’s no overnight fix for it or hack.
Get an SEO expert to have a look at your website, and help you optimise each page so that you’re putting your best foot forward for PageRank. Also, give your pages time to mature and get noticed. If you continuously change or remove pages you’ll never rank for what you want.
But a great way to create some good back links, is writing some guest posts for a reputable site. Get out of your comfort zone and email a few reputable sites and pitch them with some ideas on what you could write about.
So there you have it, how the super huge Google Search algorithm actually works. Have questions or need more information? get in touch using the button below or sign up to our newsletter.