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A WebmasterWorld thread has discussion around one word - the word "useful."
Netmeg said it in a thread and senior member, Whitey pulled it out into it's own thread.
All Google wants is to rank web sites that are the most useful for their users for a relevant query.
So now the thread goes through what makes a site useful or not. Here are some tips on what makes useful websites pulled from the thread but note, there are many more in the thread.
- Offer better deals than your competitors
- Give easier filtering, comparing and selections than others
- Be mobile friendly and good at it
- Give users content they can't find elsewhere
- Anticipate your users and give them what they want
- Engage your users
There are many more tips on how to make your web site useful.
Some may argue that useful is not what Google ranks.
Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.
Image credit to BigStockPhoto for useful sign
Comments:
Scamoogle
07/16/2013 02:24 pm
Netmeg is a brainless Google robot. Google wants to rank sites that increase ad clicks. The proof is in the pudding, or SEC reports that show ad clicks increasing by 25%-30% each quarter. Now let's stop the crap of pretending that Google is the search company that was pre 2007. Now it's all scams to get users to click on ads and to force sites to advertise.
ethalon
07/16/2013 02:49 pm
Pulling a stat out of the broader context makes you look like an asshat at best and an intellectually dishonest asshat at worst.
Scamoogle
07/16/2013 03:45 pm
what broader context you asshat? People either click on ads or go to our sites, pretty much, searchers aren't growing by 25% a quarter. . Google is doing this every quarter with major updates. It's a scam.
Josh Zehtabchi
07/16/2013 04:36 pm
Whoa, really? This really says a LOT. No, it doesn't. It's standard web development practices. What a crock.
ethalon
07/16/2013 04:38 pm
If you can't find the relevant context then fine, go on thinking about the situation like you currently are; it won't help improve your rankings, your revenue, or your understanding of what is going on. Please don't take clients though, you don't seem to know quite what you are talking about.
I love Asshats
07/16/2013 09:08 pm
Calling someone an asshat because their opinion differs from yours makes you look like the asshat.
Kizi 10
07/17/2013 02:20 am
I think I can do this, but it is only relative.
ethalon
07/17/2013 12:16 pm
Fair point, but the guy is an asshat, regardless of my asshat status.
Link Juice
07/17/2013 01:24 pm
Useful content engages. Engagement generates social shares and links. Google rewards sites with shares and links with higher rankings. You get rewarded by doing something intelligent and creative instead of spinning the fk out of the same topic and submitting to umpteen directories...
James Louis
07/17/2013 02:46 pm
How does Googlebot know if I'm offering a better deal than my competitors? Does it read and go "Wow, that deal is totally better, rank him higher" LOL
Soni Sharma
07/18/2013 07:20 am
"LOL" yes there is no way to find which site is offering great deal (Quality + Best Price). But I Assume Google Scan website for Brand + history + content + user engagement on site + traffic sources + bounce rate etc. Wondering these all filters will slow down the search result page.
Naved Rafiq
07/19/2013 09:25 am
Google is much smarter than we think. yes they can track that who is offering better deals.... you know how? through your analytical tracking code. If most of the visitors are buying through the banner posted on site then it shows that you are offering something extra ordinary than your competitors
Spook SEO
01/26/2014 10:29 am
I like the way you comment James. Maybe Google will implement next month or next year of tool/s that will filter if you are offering "useful" deals or not. lol :)