SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing a website for search engines, aiming to achieve top rankings in search results. This means the first thing to understand is that we are optimizing specifically for search engines. The good news here is that SEO has an algorithm; knowing this algorithm allows you to optimize your website following a certain template.
So, where can I learn this algorithm?
Only the search engines themselves truly understand their exact algorithms. However, it's widely recognized which parameters they evaluate on your site:
Unique content means your texts should be at least 80% original. If they aren't, search engines might consider your content as a duplicate and downgrade its ranking. It's even worse if the content is entirely copied from another website. Search engines recognize content originality. If the same text appears on multiple platforms, only the earliest publication will be recognized as unique. Moreover, you could get penalized for stolen content.
Keywords are the terms your clients will use to find you. For instance, if you're offering an "air duct cleaning" service, it's logical to use these terms. They should be placed appropriately, with the right frequency, and supported by other indicators, like related services and images that directly or indirectly confirm that the company indeed offers such cleaning services. The more specific the service, the more targeted the clients will be.
Internal linking - Enhances indexing. Thanks to established links, search bots can find new content on your site. For instance, if a bot knows about page A and there's a link to page B, unless indexing for page B is forbidden, the bot will surely scan page B.
External links increase your trustworthiness in search engines. The more reputable the source linking to you, the more trust you gain from search engines, and all things being equal, you'll be favored in search rankings.
Domain. It might seem simple, but domain names come with their nuances. Here are the main tips: avoid using dashes or other characters in the name. Don't use more than three words. The name should be short and straightforward. Ideally, use a keyword reflecting the core of what the company does or use the brand name if it's unique. Of course, it's best if the brand name naturally contains a keyword, unless you're a household name like Apple or Windows.
Friendly URLs: (readable page addresses) are actively used in SEO for various reasons:
Intuitive Understanding: They make URLs more comprehensible for users. For example,
So, where can I learn this algorithm?
Only the search engines themselves truly understand their exact algorithms. However, it's widely recognized which parameters they evaluate on your site:
- Unique content
- Keywords
- Internal links between pages
- Domain
- Human-readable URL structures
- Page code
Unique content means your texts should be at least 80% original. If they aren't, search engines might consider your content as a duplicate and downgrade its ranking. It's even worse if the content is entirely copied from another website. Search engines recognize content originality. If the same text appears on multiple platforms, only the earliest publication will be recognized as unique. Moreover, you could get penalized for stolen content.
Keywords are the terms your clients will use to find you. For instance, if you're offering an "air duct cleaning" service, it's logical to use these terms. They should be placed appropriately, with the right frequency, and supported by other indicators, like related services and images that directly or indirectly confirm that the company indeed offers such cleaning services. The more specific the service, the more targeted the clients will be.
Internal linking - Enhances indexing. Thanks to established links, search bots can find new content on your site. For instance, if a bot knows about page A and there's a link to page B, unless indexing for page B is forbidden, the bot will surely scan page B.
External links increase your trustworthiness in search engines. The more reputable the source linking to you, the more trust you gain from search engines, and all things being equal, you'll be favored in search rankings.
Domain. It might seem simple, but domain names come with their nuances. Here are the main tips: avoid using dashes or other characters in the name. Don't use more than three words. The name should be short and straightforward. Ideally, use a keyword reflecting the core of what the company does or use the brand name if it's unique. Of course, it's best if the brand name naturally contains a keyword, unless you're a household name like Apple or Windows.
Friendly URLs: (readable page addresses) are actively used in SEO for various reasons:
Intuitive Understanding: They make URLs more comprehensible for users. For example,
website.com/products/red-shoes is much clearer than website.com/product?id=12345.
Additionally, algorithms are set up so that if your keywords come after the “?” symbol, search engines won't consider them for ranking, deeming the information after this symbol as irrelevant. Keywords in URL: When a URL contains keywords related to the content of the page, search engines, like Google, can more easily understand the page's content. For instance, a URL like website.com/products/red-running-shoes clearly indicates that the page showcases red running shoes. If the keyword in the URL matches a user's query, it can boost the page's position in search results.
Page Code: Without some crucial elements, all your efforts might be in vain since these are foundational for search engines. Without them, no matter how well you optimize your site, it might not even get indexed.
Title Tag: This is the page's title that displays in search results. It should be concise, accurate, and contain keywords relevant to the page content.
Meta Description: This is a brief description of the page's content. Although the meta description doesn't directly affect ranking, it can influence the click-through rate (CTR) from search results since users often glance over it before deciding whether to click on the link or not.
This is an important, yet non-exhaustive list of SEO conditions for the proper indexing of your site. We will be examining specific cases and creating instructional materials to help you understand SEO and either do it yourself or be able to gauge what your employee should be doing and how to evaluate their performance.
Conclusion: Understanding and implementing SEO fundamentals like friendly URLs and crucial page elements are imperative for optimal website performance in search engine results. While these insights provide a foundational understanding, delving deeper into specific cases and instructional materials will empower businesses to optimize their online presence more effectively.
Additionally, algorithms are set up so that if your keywords come after the “?” symbol, search engines won't consider them for ranking, deeming the information after this symbol as irrelevant. Keywords in URL: When a URL contains keywords related to the content of the page, search engines, like Google, can more easily understand the page's content. For instance, a URL like website.com/products/red-running-shoes clearly indicates that the page showcases red running shoes. If the keyword in the URL matches a user's query, it can boost the page's position in search results.
Page Code: Without some crucial elements, all your efforts might be in vain since these are foundational for search engines. Without them, no matter how well you optimize your site, it might not even get indexed.
Title Tag: This is the page's title that displays in search results. It should be concise, accurate, and contain keywords relevant to the page content.
Meta Description: This is a brief description of the page's content. Although the meta description doesn't directly affect ranking, it can influence the click-through rate (CTR) from search results since users often glance over it before deciding whether to click on the link or not.
This is an important, yet non-exhaustive list of SEO conditions for the proper indexing of your site. We will be examining specific cases and creating instructional materials to help you understand SEO and either do it yourself or be able to gauge what your employee should be doing and how to evaluate their performance.
Conclusion: Understanding and implementing SEO fundamentals like friendly URLs and crucial page elements are imperative for optimal website performance in search engine results. While these insights provide a foundational understanding, delving deeper into specific cases and instructional materials will empower businesses to optimize their online presence more effectively.
