How Does Google Work?
It seems obvious to me why there is so much controversy over whether SEO is “bull” or SEOs are “snake oil salesmen.” To people who don’t know what SEO is it’s hard to tell what is ethical and what isn’t. I asked several non-search/web people how they thought Google works and here are some of the replies:
“…I love google. I do worry about it being shady though. If I’m not mistaken companies can buy their way to first search result… How does Google work, like how it runs searches? That I’m not sure about.”
“Google is primarily a major search engine, utilizing technologically advanced (and trade-secret) methods to search millions of web pages for terms, phrases and queries entered by users worldwide.”
“I have no idea how it works. I know what it is though– it is a search
engine used to find information on the web –but how it actually retrieves
the info is beyond me!”
“Through the use of META tags, servers that compare their relative value to the query, and search mechanisms that refresh on a regular basis based on new content. Paid advertisements are also featured on sidebars and top banners, ensuring good placement and higher click-frequencies.”
Obviously, there is mixed information out there as to how Google and other search engines work. And using this technology to promote a business creates even more uncertainty. It’s hard for people to trust what they don’t totally understand. This doesn’t just go for SEO - this happens in any industry, especially new ones. As an SEO I don’t take offense to the comments made by Jason Calacanis and many others. I would be skeptical of a new, and powerful, industry, too if I didn’t have a good understanding of it.
Cassi
