Google, like most legitimate search engines, is constantly tweaking its ranking algorithms in order to try and provide the most relevant content to its users. Search engine optimization experts are tasked with going beyond relatively simple best practices recommended at the onset of an engagement, in order to keep up with these trends. It may not be rocket science at the onset, but in the long run the most creative SEO teams that can recommend and effect changes to Web sites in the quickest manner will always win out for competitive terms.
One of the founders of WebmasterWorld, known as Tedster (hint his real name starts with a "T"), has revived a month-old thread which dealt with some commonly perceived changes to Google's algorithm in March. The new thread, split off by Tedster from the old, is titled April 2007 Google SERP Changes. Don't think this is just a continuation of the March discussion, however, as Tedster has posed an interesting theory for discussion:
In the past, Google seemed to forgive relatively unchanging content for certain types of sites, though certainly not for others. Now I'm thinking the algo has shifted, at least a bit.He believes "freshness" (of content and probably linking) has a lot to do with being able to command the top spots at Google these days, and people seem to agree with him:
My gut feel is that the recognition of "freshness" is playing a greater part in Google's algo, where it can.
To me, in short, I agree that updated content seems to be making a move, even against some the well-entrenched .gov and .edu TLDs. We are seeing some "refreshed" branded sites ranking very quickly for competitive terms.
Lots more great discussion follows at WebmasterWorld. Share your thoughts there and also feel free to comment below.
