Search Engine Optimization
Based in the Ottawa area, we help our clients with their computer and Internet needs. Our specialty is modifying our client's website content to ensure that search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing give it a high ranking. In addition, we offer assistance in the design of web stores to simplify the shopping experience and enhance revenue.
While search engine optimization (SEO) is our specialty our clients often have other computer related needs. Our expertise allows us to help our clients in a variety of ways. We also offer webmaster services, computer network services, data recovery and other computer services.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Search Engine Algorithm
I recently came across this post which claims that randfish over at SEOmoz has developed an approximation of Google's algorithm. I say "claimed" because I did not find the post by randfish however I did find a variety of very good articles. Anyway, the algorithm is given in the linked post. Since the algorithm is a secret there is no telling how accurate it is though it seems to support conventional thinking.
The algorithm itself is really not important though. Since the various criteria are not exclusive the obvious approach is to cover all of them. All of the terms of the equation are well known to be important and while I doubt that this is how Google ranks sites it is probably as a good an estimation as I have seen.
Here is the formula:
GoogScore = (KW Usage Score * 0.3) + (Domain Strength * 0.25) + (Inbound Link Score * 0.25) + (User Data * 0.1) + (Content Quality Score * 0.1) + (Manual Boosts) - (Automated & Manual Penalties)
While I do not have any specific data to back this up I feel that the inbound links are more important than domain strength and keyword usage combined. (That just my 2cents though.)
The algorithm itself is really not important though. Since the various criteria are not exclusive the obvious approach is to cover all of them. All of the terms of the equation are well known to be important and while I doubt that this is how Google ranks sites it is probably as a good an estimation as I have seen.
Here is the formula:
GoogScore = (KW Usage Score * 0.3) + (Domain Strength * 0.25) + (Inbound Link Score * 0.25) + (User Data * 0.1) + (Content Quality Score * 0.1) + (Manual Boosts) - (Automated & Manual Penalties)
While I do not have any specific data to back this up I feel that the inbound links are more important than domain strength and keyword usage combined. (That just my 2cents though.)
Labels: SEO
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Nexus 1
As far as I knew Google was strictly a software company whose focus has always been to make things faster and easier. (And yes... they sell advertising too...) Today, Google has launched the Nexus 1 which looks curiously similar to Apple's
(I'd like to thank AppleInsider.com for this photo I snagged from their site.)
The question on my mind is: Why? Google introduced an operating system for phones called android. I would not say that it flopped but right now the
Does this represent a change in Google's direction and, if so, what would be the logical next step? There are rumours of a netbook or perhaps tablet device coming soon. Apple is likely to launch such a device this year which will give them a first to market advantage. I am inclined to believe that Google will not target markets that are saturated with adequate products that are very inexpensive. (The Nexus 1 costs $530 unlocked. That could buy you decent entry-level laptop these days and my guess is that the next device will be more expensive than their phone.)
Looking beyond the tablet what is there??? There are a lot of niches (both in hardware and software) that Google could get into. How about Google Navigator? Is it software that integrates with Google Maps and Google Earth or is it a GPS device? The answer is yes!
Google Games? (They could provide an API to developers and allow free use of games while splitting advertising revenue with game developers.)
Google Virtual Office? (A more intuitive approach to an operating system where devices and floor plans are clear. When your printer has a GPS in it the virtual office will ensure that documents a provided to the right location instantly. If your office is in Toronto and your colleague works in New York you print documents to the printer in their office automatically, provided you are authorized to do so.)
Google Archive? (Store a copy of everything you have for free in exchange for watching some advertising when you store it.)
I see Google facing a serious problem in the future. That problem is not brand identity. It is that Google is simply getting too big. Microsoft had difficulties when it gave away Internet Explorer with Windows. As a company some of there practices were determined to be anti-competitive. While that may be it is apparent that they were also ahead of their time. When Google released the Chrome browser, which is free as well, they did not have that kind of difficulty. That said, Google does not have a lock on the operating system market the way Microsoft did with PCs. The problem is that their presence on the Net is ubiquitous almost to the point of being overwhelming.
As much as I like Google there comes a point where they are big enough to take over markets for the sole purpose of pushing their own advertising. (For example: if you Google "best smart phone" how do you know if Google salted the results to help out the Nexus 1?) When that point gets closer things will get very interesting.
Ancient Chinese Curse: "May you live in interesting times."
Labels: Google Services