SEO 101

Whenever new SEO techniques are shared with the SEO community there is always a rush for the information. The Google Quality Rater Guidelines supposedly “leaked” from Google recently are no exception. Overall, there really aren’t any extreme revelations about their ranking system and most of the information is easily found in the Google Webmaster Guidelines.

It seems the “Rater Guidelines” has only slightly more detail about classifying spam. Most importantly, I didn’t see any rules that the average search engine optimizer hasn’t already assumed was in place. We already know that Google loves informative websites as we see here with KeratoconusHelp.com, when we Google search: Beverly Hills Keratoconus.

I found the classification for websites, (Vital, Useful, Relevant, Non-Relevant, and Off-Topic), interesting. But a good part of the information in the guidelines describe spam techniques used by various webmasters to trick search engines into listing their site.

In Google’s eyes, white hat SEO techniques are the quickest way to the top of their listings. Sure it may take a few before you find yourself at the top of listings, but this is the best way Google has found to keep out the junk.

All optimizers know about the “dark-side” of SEO and very few use the tactics, which I attribute to Google’s heavy hand in banning the sites from their index. As we can see with this Pittsburgh Cosmetic Surgeon , there is no Google authorized fast lane to the top of search engine listings, the road can be difficult depending on the industry and the amount of competition. We must abide by the commandments given unto us by the Google gods and they will reward us in return by providing us with 1st page listings.