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Google's checklist for SEO

by wilder1047
3 replies
Hey guys,

Thought I would share this article from Google on what the common SEOer should ask themselves when ranking a site.

I couldn't imagine anything worse in this business then having your clients site fall from the face of the earth over night.

This will ensure that your clients site will stay at the top of the charts for years to come (or atleast aslong as they pay you!)


Of course, we aren't disclosing the actual ranking signals used in our algorithms because we don't want folks to game our search results; but if you want to step into Google's mindset, the questions below provide some guidance on how we've been looking at the issue:

Would you trust the information presented in this article?

Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature?

Does the site have duplicate, overlapping, or redundant articles on the same or similar topics with slightly different keyword variations?

Would you be comfortable giving your credit card information to this site?
Does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?

Are the topics driven by genuine interests of readers of the site, or does the site generate content by attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines?

Does the article provide original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis?

Does the page provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?

How much quality control is done on content?

Does the article describe both sides of a story?

Is the site a recognized authority on its topic?

Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don’t get as much attention or care?

Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?

For a health related query, would you trust information from this site?

Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name?

Does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?

Does this article contain insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?

Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?

Does this article have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?

Would you expect to see this article in a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?

Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?
Are the pages produced with great care and attention to detail vs. less attention to detail?

Would users complain when they see pages from this site?
So, alas Google conspiracy theorists, they aren't out to get you.. Google is simply a business providing the best possible results to it's end user. How do you think they got so big in the first place (minus the catchy name)??
#checklist #google #panda #seo
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    Those questions are proof that Google is leaning toward big brands. Most of those questions are so biased its not funny. Many of them don't even pertain to hyperlocal niches either.

    For example, how much original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis can a roofer do on asphalt shingles that hasn't already been published online by the manf. of roofing products? ZERO.

    What kind of original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis can a general family practice physician safely put on his web site? ZERO.

    Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name? Screams big brands! Not local by any means.

    Is the site a recognized authority on its topic? Again this screams big brands.

    Most of these indicators have nothing to do with small hyperlocal businesses.
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    • Profile picture of the author wilder1047
      I don't really see it.

      The search would still have to be relative to a local market.

      Authority sites have long since weighed in on search results, hence the success of the Empower Network system (blogging system that you buy into to leverage the authority they've built and are able to rank for very competitive keywords with your own sub-page blogs.)

      Your examples are valid, but if one business is effected by it, so would the others.. therefore levelling the playing field.

      Obviously big brands are going to be crushing our hopes in the national levels, but true local market searches should remain the same.

      Not necessarily challenging your opinions head-on as I know you've got local SEO/GP down to a science.

      Thanks,

      James

      Originally Posted by Rus Sells View Post

      Those questions are proof that Google is leaning toward big brands. Most of those questions are so biased its not funny. Many of them don't even pertain to hyperlocal niches either.

      For example, how much original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis can a roofer do on asphalt shingles that hasn't already been published online by the manf. of roofing products? ZERO.

      What kind of original content or information, original reporting, original research, or original analysis can a general family practice physician safely put on his web site? ZERO.

      Would you recognize this site as an authoritative source when mentioned by name? Screams big brands! Not local by any means.

      Is the site a recognized authority on its topic? Again this screams big brands.

      Most of these indicators have nothing to do with small hyperlocal businesses.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I probably should have added that the signals if you will show that Google doesn't yet understand hyper-local at all.

    When I do a search for plumbing repairs with my location set to Atlanta a national lead generation site is #1 organically. It does not meet any of the singles mentioned that Google purportedly is looking for.

    The next result #2 organically is a nationally recognized site, About.com and the content is a DIY article. Again it really doesn't meet any of the signals.

    The 3rd organic result is a crappy site that is about hand book about plumbing repair. Again this site doesn't meet most of the signals Google says its looking for.

    Then comes the 7 pack places results.

    Right after the 7 pack the 4th organic result is a national brand and then the little local guys are all under them.

    Lets go into this a little further.

    For example, Is this article written by an expert or enthusiast who knows the topic well, or is it more shallow in nature?
    Unless the person reviewing the site is already an expert in Plumbing for example how would they even know how to judge the site based on this criteria? Of course if the site is an actual local plumber they MUST view the site as experts to some degree right?
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