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.
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.
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.Level Up Your SEO Skills With Our Free Training
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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.
First Thoughts On Google's New Tabbed Sitelinks
On the 6th of July I accidentally came across (what could be any time soon) Google's new tabular mega sitelinks. They became available to me purely by coincidence but the unique opportunity to see something which was unavailable to most searchers was more than welcome.
Don't Let Google Huff and Puff and Blow You Away
This might sound a little crazy, but the best SEO you can do right now is no SEO. Yes, follow the guidelines previously mentioned. I would consider this search engine compliance more than I would search engine optimization. But don't go around the Internet looking for any and every opportunity to do something that is going to increase your search engine rankings.
The Bigfoot Update (AKA Dr. Pete Goes Crazy)
On the morning of June 5th, just as the sun was coming up over the horizon, I saw something in the woods of Mountain View. I swear I wasn't drinking. Well, not much.