Search Engines
Understanding how search engines work, Google in particular, is important when working in SEO. The basics of crawling and indexing are amazingly useful to understand if you want to rank your own content.
Additionally, Google updates its algorithm several times a year. Understanding the more significant updates, and how they work, can help you to craft content and SEO strategies that are up-to-date.
We've written extensively about how search engines work, and included some of the top resources here. You can also browse the latest posts on search engines from the Moz blog below.
How Search Engines Work : New to SEO? Start with the basics of how search engines operate with our free beginner's guide.
Search Engine Ranking and Visibility : Learn the fundamentals of how search engines rank content on search engine result pages.
Google Algorithm Update History : A complete history of Google algorithm updates since 2000. This includes important links and references for understanding how Google works.
How Search Engines Value Links : Search engines work off a number of signals, but two of the most important are content and links. In this video, Rand Fishkin explains the basics of link evaluation.
MozCast : Is Google updating it's algorithm as we speak? MozCast is the Google algorithm weather report, so you can see how much Google results are changing each day.
Big, Fast, and Strong: Setting the Standard for Backlink Index Comparisons
It's time to put math where our mouth is when it comes to the new Moz Link Explorer data. Take a look at the amazing effort we have put into building an industry-leading link graph and the cutting-edge, scientific metrics which prove it.![How We Got a 32% Organic Traffic Boost from 4 On-Page SEO Changes [Case Study]](https://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/images/blog/banners/5adfaf86311430.16782901_2021-03-30-224841.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1617144521&s=7270945d020f2c2daaf121eb8c24753a)
How We Got a 32% Organic Traffic Boost from 4 On-Page SEO Changes [Case Study]
The Google Panda updates from 2012 hit forum sites hard. In this case study, learn how one site reversed a trend of stalled growth by implementing four on-page SEO fixes (and one non-solution you should avoid).
Google Confirms Chrome Usage Data Used to Measure Site Speed
How does Google measure a page's loading speed? New information confirms that Google is using Chrome usage data to evaluate site speed, rather than Googlebot. Learn just what that means, why it matters, and what it could portend for users.
How to Boost Bookings & Conversions with Google Posts: An Interview with Joel Headley
Have you been using Google's Posts feature? It can boost your conversions in the SERPs. With some creativity and ingenuity, one company was able to increase their Bookings by 11%. Check out the Q&A, steps you can take, and actionable tips in this post.
Zero-Result SERPs: Welcome to the Future We Should've Known Was Coming
Google is experimenting with zero-result SERPs, results with a Knowledge Card but no organic listings. Dr. Pete explores the prevalence of these results, what they mean for SEO, and why this evolution was probably inevitable.Level Up Your SEO Skills With Our Free Training
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How to Diagnose SEO Traffic Drops: 11 Questions to Answer
Every consultant or SEO will be asked at some point to investigate an organic traffic drop. To make that investigation a little less painful, this post lays out eleven essential questions to ask that'll help you get to the bottom of the drop.
Google's Walled Garden: Are We Being Pushed Out of Our Own Digital Backyards?
Google is driving more and more clicks back to Google and creating fully in-search experiences, including custom portals. Are they walling off a garden built on our content? What does (and doesn't) Google owe us — as marketers, search users, and content creators?![The Google Ranking Factor You Can Influence in an Afternoon [Case Study]](https://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/images/blog/banners/content-bd475af_2021-03-30-225549.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1617144949&s=da75de352ce320f47dbfb9a1cf2721f8)
The Google Ranking Factor You Can Influence in an Afternoon [Case Study]
One content marketing agency was able to improve their rankings within 60 seconds of being reindexed—and after careful, thoughtful retooling of the page content. Learn how they successfully catered to Hummingbird and what process they followed in this case study.![How Is Google's New "Questions and Answers" Feature Being Used? [Case Study]](https://a-moz.groupbuyseo.org/images/blog/banners/local-seo-e50da72_2021-03-30-225825.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1617145105&s=fccf98743c323fa258365beac19f32f4)
How Is Google's New "Questions and Answers" Feature Being Used? [Case Study]
One of Google's newest features in the local SERPs doesn't seem to have great adoption by business owners. How are people Google's new Questions & Answers, and who gets the most benefit from participation? Check out the takeaways from this case study by Miriam Ellis.
An Investigation Into Google's Maccabees Update
When his site was unexpectedly hit by a recent core Google algorithm update, one SEO was determined to find out why. Follow along with all the steps taken to see just what went wrong and how to determine the right fix.