What Is the Google Search Engine Algorithm?

How Does the Google Search Engine Algorithm Rank Results?

The Google search engine algorithm is the market-leading way to find information on the internet. This proprietary algorithm is one of the primary reasons why Google maintains a market share over 92% as of February 2021. In order to rank near the top of search engine results pages for relevant queries, site owners should have a general sense of how this algorithm works. 

Search Engine Algorithms Analyze Sites and Queries

A search engine provides interrelated functions for websites and users. Web crawlers index sites and the search engine algorithm ranks indexed sites based on a proprietary system. When a user enters a search query, the algorithm analyzes wording and context to deliver results in the form of websites that contain matching keywords and have the highest internal rankings. 

Most users are not aware of the algorithms that power internet search, and this extends to website owners. Web developers follow guidance published by Google to meet evolving site design standards. For example, the older PageRank system remains a factor in ranking sites even as new Core Web Vitals are being implemented.

Web Crawlers Index Sites To Populate Search Results 

Web crawlers are bots that index sites across the internet. Web developers can exert control over which pages are indexed by a search engine algorithm. In general, informational pages should be indexed for a site to appear in search results for relevant queries. Other types of pages, such as shopping carts, are not indexed.

A web design agency can help small businesses and other website owners structure websites in ways that allow for more complete indexing. It takes some time for crawlers to index a site again after submitting a request, but an optimized and re-indexed site can quickly start to rise in SERPs. The overarching organization of a site is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to on-page optimization.

Google Factors In More Than 200 Site Ranking Factors

The Google search engine algorithm factors in hundreds of ranking factors or signals. Some of the most important elements include the density and priority of keywords on a page along with the loading time, trustworthiness and user experience score of a page. The algorithm also identifies spam and filters out sites that violate webmaster guidelines.

Small business owners who build their own websites are often not aware of all of the factors that go into making a site that ranks near the top of search results for relevant queries. As a result, DIY sites may not rank as high as sites built or optimized by a web design agency. Websites that load quickly, contain relevant content and have backlinks and links from and to trusted sources tend to outrank competing sites.

A Search Engine Algorithm Matches Keywords and Contexts

One of the most important algorithm functions is the search engine language model. Matching results are delivered from sites that have an ideal density of exact matches of keywords or keyword phrases in on-site content. Keywords have long been an important part of organic search engine optimization in addition to serving as the basis for pay-per-click advertising on search engines.

The Google algorithm goes beyond finding exact matches of keywords or keyword phrases in a search query to identify synonyms. The synonym system, which took five years to develop, detects meaning and context for words with multiple definitions. The ability to identify synonyms has improved results in over 30% of searches across languages. Google’s search engine algorithm also considers the timeliness of results. Fresh content containing search keywords is likely to rank higher than a site with dated information.

Search Engine Results Pages List Sites Based On Relevance

The ultimate purpose of a search engine algorithm is to deliver relevant results based on user queries. Research indicates that most users do not venture beyond the first five listings on a SERP, and a quarter of users just click on the top search result. Websites that attain these positions are usually designed to match the most relevant search queries and deliver an optimal user experience with the fastest possible load times.

A web design firm can help a small business or any other organization build a top-ranking website or optimize an existing site in ways that will raise its ranking. It is a good idea to work with a web design and digital marketing agency that specializes in small businesses. These experts can help new businesses or businesses with underutilized sites compete for the top organic or paid search rankings.

This basic overview provides small business and other website owners with a general sense of how the Google search engine algorithm works. Fitz Designz is a web design and marketing agency located in Santa Rosa, California, that specializes in raising the ranking of sites in search results. Contact us online or call (707) 241-3489 to learn more about SEO for any website.