05 Jun Google Ranking

Google Ranking

How Does the Google Ranking Work?

Google uses a variety of factors in its algorithm to determine what results will be the most helpful for the user.

Google’s algorithm is smart; it is constantly changing and adapting to give users the best experience and to prevent black hat SEO tactics from manipulating search results. Part of the mystery of Google’s search algorithm is that it takes a LOT of ranking signals into account before displaying results. The reason for this is because one search term can have hundreds of meanings. For example, if I conduct a search for the word “bathroom,” Google has no idea of what I’m really looking for.

Possible results could range wildly, including:

• Finding the nearest public restroom
• Defining what a bathroom is
• Emergency plumbing
• Bathroom remodelling companies
• News stories
• Home decor websites
• Cleaning advice

What Google is trying to do here is guess my intent and then tailor the results to what it thinks will be the most helpful result. Over time, Google’s algorithms have identified and adapted to the user’s search intent, and identified four main types:

1. Know queries, where the user wants information about something. Example: “Why won’t my toilet flush?”
2. Do queries, where the user wants to take an action. Example: “Best bathroom remodelling company.”
3. Website queries, where the user wants to go to a specific website or webpage. Example: “Wayfair”
4. Visit-in-person queries, where the user wants to locate and visit a physical address. Example: “Closest place to buy cleaning supplies”