Why Some Content Ranks in Google
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/great-content-rank-google/330263/#close
Google’s public search liaison, Danny Sullivan, made a statement about if one’s webpage seeks to attain higher rankings for search results, “Search Engine Optimization” or SEO, that webpage must be “great, unique, useful, [and] compelling.” Specifically, Sullivan notes that having more information on a webpage or site will not augment its ranking. In fact, having more contact could be a hindrance. This idea was met with some debate as to what constitutes a good webpage and a good search result. Roger Montti highlights the idea that “great” content is not always extensive. In fact, comprehensive webpages tend to decrease in ranking.
Montti focuses on comprehensive webpages and the adverse results of such sites. First, comprehensive webpages tend to discuss a variety of topics, or “side topics,” within a topic. This affects a webpage’s rank as not only does the search engine have to consider the primary topic, but all the sub-topics within the page. This pushes the pages rank lower. Second, comprehensive web pages are not always the most efficient pages. For instance, adding unnecessary fluff to the article can not only decrease a webpage’s ranking but also decrease user satisfaction. Users want their information presented in a clear, efficient way. This tends to confuse users and make it more challenging for them to distinguish relevant information from fluff. Lastly, webpages with specific jargon or slang will decrease the rank as Google and other search engines cannot fully understand the distinct, for instance regional, terminology.
The article above directly relates to Page Rank, as discussed in lecture. The article above alludes to the web having an “internet abundance,” that there are many relevant pages for retrieval. This, however, creates a problem in distinguishing which webpages contain the best answers and, thus, should be ranked higher. Montti, using Sullivan’s statement, points to qualities factored into a Page Rank and the reasoning behind it. For instance, Montti suggests an abundance of side topics, information, and specific jargon can lead to a low ranking on a page. Montti concludes his article suggesting webpages take more time to evaluate user’s needs, consider the possible web searches when crafting a webpage, and how one’s webpage is effected by Page Ranking.