Date: October 14th 2008
The Mysteries of Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
What is Search Engine Optimization
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the most important factor in building a successful website. Most people have heard the term SEO and have some idea of what it is, however it still remains a mysterious achievement for many. One reason for this mystery is that it can be a complicated and extremely time consuming endeavour and since search engines are constantly changing the way they rank sites more time is needed to ensure successful optimization results.
The Top Search Engine
Google has become the leading search engine. They have pretty much set the standard for search engine algorithms that can track the relevancy of a website to its content and Search Engine Optimization efforts. Their ranking system remains one of the most popular methods of determining a website's quality. This is mainly due to their ability to weed out bad sites that have little to offer a consumer aside from being skilled in manipulating ‘the system’ to their advantage.
Evolving Rules
SEO rules are constantly evolving and change; and because of this search engine optimization continues to confuse website owners. Many people build their websites thinking the only SEO tool they need is keyword Meta tags and density. While keywords are an important aspect in SEO they are not the only method in helping achieve good optimization results. Another effective optimization method that is effective is back linking. While back linking remains one of the most successful ways to get your site to rank high on the search engines it also has undergone some changes making the types of links important so that search engines do not penalize a site for bad incoming links.
The term "back link" basically refers to an outside link from another website that is pointing to your website. In the past any link from another site would have a positive impact on your site by search engines. However because of the many tricks developed that made massive back links to websites (for example link farms), and irrelevant reciprocal linking Google began to develop a way to weed out these irrelevant links that were there either purchased, had very little meaning or no relevancy.
Back linking used for legitimate reasons can help to promote your website. Finding websites that have a common interest to your site and who are willing to place your link on their site can help you get extra exposure. When their visitors come to their site they will see your link and likely visit your site as well.
You will get higher ranking on a search engine for a number of appropriate back linking partnerships; but however if the sites linking to you do not share any common interest, information or products, Google will penalize you for the link and your site ranking will devalue. For this reason it is important to choose the right type of sites to link to, ensuring good search engine optimization.
Back linking is an extremely important aspect of SEO development and it is something you need to understand well in order to implement and control properly. Keeping your website in good standing with the search engines and popular with your visitors is the best way to ensure a successful website.
Want to know more about SEO? Read the article on SEO for Beginners