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.
25 Killer Combos for Google's Site: Operator
I'm a big fan of using simple tools well, and one of those tools is the site: operator. Here are 25 site-operator combos for your SEO detective work, along with a real-world case study, and an original experiment on the accuracy of site:.
Semantic Web and Link Building without Links > The Future for SEO?
Rand’s recent WBF about co-occurrence was a real wake up call for those still transfixed with link building practices of old. While anchor text based links may still have some effect, there is little arguing the fact that the factor’s importance is dwindling. In its place are things like social signals, link age, and, most importantly, a growing reliance on relevancy and how that is deciphered.
How to Do SEO in 2013
Whether you're new in the game or a seasoned campaigner, you would have noticed by now that Search Engine Optimisation is by no means a walk in the park. Algorithm changes get made a multitude of times annually; 516 changes were made by Google alone in 2010, and they're just the ones they tell us about. As a result, staying on top of the game is quite a task for anyone, individual or team.
The Cassandra Memorandum: Google in 2013
We can only predict the future by studying the past. Through the story of Apollo and Cassandra, Gianluca Fiorelli predicts what the landscape of Google will look like in 2013.
What Happened on December 13th?
Between December 13th and 14th, we measured the largest Google SERP flux on record since MozCast began recording in April. This is the story of what happened and an exploration in just how complicated the algorithm has become.Level Up Your SEO Skills With Our Free Training
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Should We Chase The Algorithm?
How does chasing the algorithm fit into search marketing in 2013, including the emerging trends of content marketing and #RCS? I explain why I've become a bit obsessed with the algorithm, why I firmly believe in content marketing, and how they fit together.
Algo Hunters - An Interview with Barry Schwartz
If you follow the Google algorithm, you've heard the name Barry Schwartz. I've had the opportunity to get to know Barry a little while working on MozCast, so we interviewed each other about the current and future state of the algorithm.
How to Prepare for Author Rank and Get the Jump on Google
If you're like me and you have your finger on Google’s pulse on a daily basis, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Author Rank. However, I honestly don’t think it’s received its due attention and if you were AFK for a few days or don’t have the option to be “jacked into the feed”, you may have missed it entirely.
Are Exact-Match Domains (EMDs) in Decline?
Even in 2012, Exact-Match Domains (EMDs) seem to carry a lot of influence, and people are eager to snap them up. I explore the data to see if this influence is really as strong as it once was (or as people believe it is).
SERP Crowding & Shrinkage: It's Not Your Imagination
Rumors are that Google SERPs have been more "crowded" (fewer domains) lately, and that some SERPs are showing less than 10 results. Thanks to the Mozcast data set, I've been able to show that both ideas are much more than rumor.