Search Engine Ranking Factors
Every two years, SEOmoz surveys top SEO experts in the field worldwide on their opinions of the algorithmic elements that comprise search engine rankings. Developed by Rand Fishkin as a gauge of the most important elements considered by Google’s organic ranking algorithm, this year’s 72 participants were each asked to rate more than 100 search ranking factors along with specific questions about hot issues in the SEO field. The results represent their collective wisdom, forming one of the most useful resources for SEO practitioners of all varieties, helping to provide transparency into what matters (and doesn’t) for best practices in search engine optimization.
Top 5 Ranking Factors
1. Keyword Focused Anchor Text from External Links
73% very high importance
2. External Link Popularity (quantity/quality of external links)
71% very high importance
3. Diversity of Link Sources (links from many unique root domains)
67% very high importance
4. Keyword Use Anywhere in the Title Tag
66% very high importance
5. Trustworthiness of the Domain Based on Link Distance from Trusted Domains (e.g. TrustRank, Domain mozTrust, etc.)
66% very high importance
View the entire report here >>
Local Search Ranking Factors
Developed by David Mihm, the inspiration for this project came from SEOmoz’s biennially-published Search Engine Ranking Factors. This year, 27 prominent bloggers and practitioners were asked to rate the importance of 49 criteria with respect to their influence on rankings in the Google and Yahoo Local “Universal” search algorithms (those that drive the 10-pack, 3-pack, and authoritative onebox search results; NOT the standard organic algorithms).
If you find yourself confused by Local Search, this report will prove an excellent resource to help you fine-tune your marketing efforts. For example, Google Maps is now incredibly accurate (and forceful) in listing your business in your city/town regardless of your actual service area. Results indicate that:
- It’s becoming even more important to have a physical location for your business within the city which is being searched.
- The importance of links in the Local search algorithm(s) seems to be on its way down, while the importance of citations, particularly those from major data providers and industry/location-specific directories, was deemed to be increasing in importance. Hyper Local citations (from blogs or other businesses in your area) are becoming more important, too, but not at the same rate. The quality of links seems much more important than quantity, which speaks to the idea of Location Prominence as a central algorithmic factor.
- When it comes to reviews, it’s the exact opposite–at least in terms of rankings. Nearly every expert felt that positive customer experiences dramatically increased clickthrough and conversion, but that volume of reviews is what makes the difference in ranking.
View the entire report here >>
