Does Google Have a Golden Rule?
Copyright (c) 2008 Titus Hoskins
As a full-time webmaster and site owner, figuring out just what Google wants has been the most challenging aspect of running an online business. For many webmasters Google is the eight ton elephant in the room and you only have two options: upset the elephant and get trampled or quickly find out what it likes to consume and try to feed it.
In order to keep Google fed, webmasters have to jump through more than one set of hoops. When it comes to getting top rankings in Google's Index or SERPs, there are 200 of these hoops or ranking factors. And if you want to play in Google's ballpark, you have to try and master the majority of them.
For years, frustrated webmasters have been guessing and searching for these ranking factors. Asking what does Google want? How does Google rank pages and keywords? How does Google want you to build your site?
Ten years ago it wouldn't have mattered what Google thought of your site for it wasn't even in the picture, but now when it comes to online search, Google is king of the hill. And as we all know, kings get whatever they want.
Besides, any webmaster worth his salt, knows Google is what counts when it comes to organic traffic - you can achieve #1 spots for a keyword in all three top search engines (Yahoo and MSN being the other two light-weight contenders) but Google will simply deliver the most traffic to your site.
Google doesn't as yet have a monopoly on web search, but it's getting close to 70% of U.S. traffic and in some countries it's up over 90%. But it's not only the search numbers which makes Google king - it is the prestige and power of the Google brand name. Google has truly permeated into popular culture and the public psyche like no other brand name in history.
Google brings respect and trust into the equation. Web users respect and trust Google to give them a quality answer to their question. That's why it was rather ironic, that for years webmasters have been asking Google about their ranking system, their algorithm, their practices... for years Google remained for the most part silent. This was mainly to keep at bay, those who would like to "game" the system in order to get high rankings within Google.
Until now that is, maybe it's just me but doesn't it appear that Google is suddenly opening up about its whole ranking procedures and what they expect from webmasters. Maybe the answers have always been there, we just couldn't find them. However, a more likely scenario is that someone high up within Google made the decision to be more transparent with it comes to webmasters and how much they would tell them.
In recent Webmaster live chats, Googlers Matt Cutts, Maile Ohye, among others... have been honestly answering questions about what Google requires webmasters to do regarding their sites. These are Q&A sessions dealing with the "burning questions" webmasters have had for years concerning Google and what Google wants. Do a search in Google for "Google Webmaster Help | Google Groups" if you will to find these sessions.
Since I run several modest sites on webmaster tools and Internet marketing I am approached by more than a few people who want me to help them build their online site or business. One of the major issues that always comes up somewhere in the process (usually phrased in different ways) is this question:
What does Google want? What does Google expect of my site? How do I get ranked high in Google?
Mainly because my chief goal is to help these webmasters understand Google better in order to build a profitable site; I have struggled and puzzled over this question for years.
What is Google's Golden Rule?
Many experts believe it is related to relevancy - the key to getting high rankings is how relevant your content is to the question being asked? Maybe so, but in order to explain it to a would-be webmaster, I had to find the words that would most appropriately sum up Google's prime directive?
After you go through all the SEO checkmarks, take into account the quality and uniqueness of your content, factor in the credibility and authority of your site and backlinks, and factor in the relevancy issue... this was the simple Google Golden Rule I came up with:
"Always think of your visitor first when creating any content for your site."
This may or may not be what Google is expecting but all indications are pointing in the direction of the "visitor's experience" and how good you or your content make that experience? Google is serving up a product, it wants the user of their product to be happy with the results. If they're happy, Google is happy. And if everyone's happy then the kingdom grows.
Still anything as simple and as complicated as getting top rankings in Google can't be boiled down to a single catch phrase. You must do your homework and a good starting point would be to thoroughly read Google's Webmaster Guidelines. Studying and listening to the latest Google webmaster chats may also prove beneficial and helpful.
However, there are still those 200 hoops you have to jump through and you must be extremely careful of how you build your site if you're trying to please Google. Listen when the king speaks. Observe his rules. Be on your guard, and it helps to become just a little paranoid. And always, always remember, an elephant never forgets.
Question and Answer
GOOGLE?????????????????????
k i m in a very complicated situation.
So i type mi yahoo username into google and mi yahoo answers profile pops up....and a couple other accounts i made with other things but i havent used. and the questions that i answered also come up. so im trying to get that stuff outta google but i got no idea how to......ANY HELP?
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March 7th, 2010 - 23:14
this makes sense…
March 7th, 2010 - 23:59
Wicca is a religion. Some Wiccans are initiated into traditions and work in covens, others are solitary. There is a decent amount of leeway within Wicca as far as beliefs and practices as there is no one book of doctrine or high up official that decides what is Wicca and what is not. However, there are core tenets of the religion and Wicca is not a “make it up as you go” religion. The core tenets of the religion are:
1. Honor the gods. Which gods are honored and how they are honored exactly will vary depending on the tradition and/or individual Wiccan.
2. Acknowledge the Sabbats. The Sabbats are seasonal celebrations. How these are celebrated will vary.
3. Embrace the Wiccan Rede which states: An it harm none, do as you will.
There is much more that could be written about these 3 tenets and much more to the religion. If you are interested in more information, a good resource for accurate information online is – http://wicca.timerift.net
To clear up what you've seen on this site, people often confuse what they see on tv or bad books with the actual religion of Wicca. Wicca is about honoring the gods, not spells. Additionally, Wicca and witchcraft are not synonymous. Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a practice and can be practiced by one of any religion or no religion at all. Some Wiccans practice witchcraft and some do not.
March 8th, 2010 - 00:07
Google, governments, shady companies, whatever. There will always be someone ruling over us, watching us, controlling us, etc.
But hey, if Google makes its money on advertising, then we won’t be taxed out the…
March 8th, 2010 - 00:33
Well one thing I wouldn't do is post a question in the mathematics section that had absolutely nothing to do with math.
But if I owned my own search engine and somebody wanted to have results censored when it was used in their country, then I'd let them have that modification…for a hefty price.
Besides, it would hardly be the first time a search engine left out certain search results. Google does that already. It's one of the reasons why I use Yahoo.
March 8th, 2010 - 09:34
Personally, I have absolutely no problems with gays. I believe they deserve the same rights as everyone, and need to stop being hunted. I have several gay friends, and they are just as cool as anyone. I personally am not gay, but I find gays just as cool as anyone else.
Also, I believe that you don't "turn" gay. You are born gay, and that's that. Gays don't want to turn your children gay. Gays are not sex-crazed maniacs any more that straight people are.
March 8th, 2010 - 16:17
I don't see Europe realizing much. They've drifted into the Socialist stupor and are verging on comatose. But many in the US are using Europe and Canada as enticing examples of how sublime Socialism can be. Evidence in the US is that people are falling for it. Once we reach the point where the people on the receiving end of the public dole are in the majority, there's no turning back. They vote themselves every benefit, while demanding others pay for it, and denying any responsibility to contribute themselves.
Thanks for finishing my day on such a pessimistic note.
March 8th, 2010 - 18:14
ha ha. by “ratard” i was referring to a movie called “The Hang Over”!! if u haven’t heard of it. lol and i know it’s his accent but sometimes hypocritical criticism is appropriate.
March 9th, 2010 - 00:22
3. Chris Jericho's theme (Forgot the artist – Break Down the Walls)
24. Jeff Hardy's theme (EndeaverafteR – No More Words)
25. Taylor Swift – Love Story
March 9th, 2010 - 03:04
Google is also cooperatering with evil aliens that collect data so they can reconstruct Adolf Hitler to dominate us all.
Now give me a break…
March 9th, 2010 - 22:56
oh my god google is going to concur the world
and they will kill us all with water guns
im so terrified
March 10th, 2010 - 10:40
Bureaucracy (greek "beuros cratos" = power of the desk) is an international evil without any national affiliations. That is a black hole in itself.
It has one and only one rule – grow and expand at any cost.
However any power could not survive without it.
March 10th, 2010 - 10:47
lol thanks for liking my comedy. i was just trying to leave a ridiculous post for a ridiculous video
March 10th, 2010 - 13:43
the only info i’m affraid of people having access to is my credit card number… but in a google domintated worled 50 years from now money won’t exist anyways… so why care?
March 10th, 2010 - 20:00
OOOOOOOOOO I am so scared. It is called an “Internet Search Engine” you dumbass. There are thousands of them. They all have the potential to become just as powerful. So what? Are you trying to hide something? I am glad Google cooperates with the CIA, which I have known about for over 10 years. BTW, the fact that Google cooperates with CIA is no secret you fool. It’s called “Information Sharing in Post 9/11 World.” You must be noob to the Internet.
March 11th, 2010 - 10:03
ownd