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Dec
14
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INCOMING LINKS :
I.1. Page Rank
- Based on the Number and Quality of links to you
- Google link reporting continues to display just a SMALL fraction of your actual backlinks, and they are NOT just greater than PR4 – they are mixed.
I.2. Total incoming links (“backlinks”)
- Historically, FAST counted best (www.alltheweb.com).
- No more – Yahoo (parent) broke it.
- In Yahoo search, type in:
linksite:www.domain-name.com
linkdomain:www.domainname.com
- Try MSN -
http://beta.search.msn.com
Use link:www.domainname.com
- Current TYPICAL Backlink Reporting Ratios -
Google – 30 links
MSN – 1,000 links
Yahoo – 3,000 links
I.3. Incoming links from high-ranking pages
- In 2004, Google used to count (report) the links from all PR4+ pages that linked to you.
- In 2005-2006, Google reported only a small fraction of the links, in what seemed like an almost random
manner.
- In Feb. 2007, Google markedly upgraded (increased) the number of links that they report.
1.4. Acceleration of link popularity
- Google patent
- Link acquisition speed boost – speculative
- Too fast = artificial? Cause of -30 penalty?
- Sandbox penalty imposed if new site?
II. FOR EACH INCOMING LINK :
II.1. Page rank of the referring page
Based on the quality of links to you
II.2. Anchor text of inbound link to you
- Contains keyword, key phrase?
- #1 result in SERP does NOT EVEN need to have the keyword(s) on the page
- Enables Google-bombing – search for “miserable failure”)
II.3. Age of link
Google patent – Old = Good.
II.4. Frequency of change of anchor text
Google patent – Not good. Why would you do that?
II.5. Popularity of referring page
Popularity = desirability, respect
II.6. # of outgoing links on referrer page
Fewer is better – makes yours more important
II.7. Position of link on referrer page
Early in HTML is best
II.8. Keyword density on referring page
For search keyword(s)
II.9. HTML title of referrer page
Same subject/ theme?
II.10. Link from “Expert” site?
- Google patent – Big time boost
- Recently reported to give a big boost !
II.11. Referrer page – Same theme
From the same or related theme? BETTER
II.12. Referrer page – Different theme
From different or unrelated theme? WORSE
II.13. Image map link?
Problematic?
II.14. Javascript link?
Problematic- attempt to hide link?
III. DIRECTORIES :
III.1. Site listed in DMOZ Directory?
- The “Secret Hand” DMOZ Issues
III.2. DMOZ category?
- Theme fit category?
- General or geographic category? Both are possible, and acceptable.
III.3. Site listed in Yahoo Directory?
- Big boost – You can get in by paying each year.
- Many swear it is worth it – many swear it isn’t.
III.4. Site listed in LookSmart Directory?
Boost? Another great vote for your site.
III.5. Site listed in inktomi?
Inktomi has been absorbed internally by Yahoo.
III.6. Site listed in other directories (About, BOTW, etc.)
Directory listing boost (If other RESPECTED directories link to you, this must be positive.)
III.7. Expert site? (Hilltop or Condensed Hilltop)
Large-sized site, quality incoming links
III.8. Site Age – Old shows stability
- Google patent
- Boost for long-established sites, new pages indexed easily
- The opposite of the sand box.
III.9. Site Age – Very New Boost
- Temporary boost for very new sites – Yahoo does it too.
III.10. Site Directory – Tree Structure
Influences SERPs – logical, consistent, conventional
III.11. Site Map and more site map
Complete – keywords in anchor text
III.12. Site Size
- Previously, many pages preferred
- conferred authority upon site, thus page. Bigger sites = better SERPs
- Now, fewer pages preferred, due to proliferation of computer-generated pages.
- Google has been dropping pages like crazy.
III.13. Site Theming
- Site exhibit theme? Use many related terms?
- Have you used a keyword suggestion tool?
- A thesaurus?
IV.PAGE METRICS – USER BEHAVIOR:
Currently implemented through the Google tool bar?
IV.1. Page traffic
Google patent
- # of visitors, trend
IV.2. Page Selection Rate – CTR
- Google patent
- How often is a page clicked on?
IV.3. Time spent on page
- Google patent
- Relatively long time = indicates relevance hit
IV.4. Did user Bookmark page?
-Google patent
- Bookmark = Good
IV.5. Bookmark add/ removal frequency
- Google patent
- Recent = Good?
IV.6. How they left, where they went
Back button, link clicked, etc.
V. SITE METRICS – USER BEHAVIOR :
Currently implemented through the Google tool bar?
V.1. Site Traffic
- Google patent
- # of visitors, increasing trend = good
V.2. Referrer
Authoritative referrer?
V.3 Keyword
Keyword searches used to find you
V.4. Time spent on domain
Relatively long time = indicates relevance hit Add brownie points.
VI. DOMAIN OWNER BEHAVIOR :
VI.1. Domain Registration Time
- Google patent
- Domain Expiration Date
- Register for 5 years, Google knows you are serious.
- Register for 1 year, is it a throw-away domain?
VI.2. Are associated sites legitimate?
- Google patent
- No spam, ownership, etc.
