Trying to crack the Search Engine Algorithms.

Are you too focused on trying to crack the code?

It's very common for SEO's to focus too much on trying to figure out a search engines algorithm. They believe if they can crack the algo of Google for instance their page will be get a better rank.

Maybe, maybe not. But here's why I think this isn't the best mindset.

1. Things change.
These algorithms are changed from time to time. They are maintained and managed by humans who will flip a switch eventually and your crack will no longer be effective. You're chasing smoke.

2. Search Engines aren't your customers.
They aren't going to buy your products. Write your pages and content for the people whom you serve. People whom you want for customers.

3. Google has some number of factors that influence a sites rank, people usually think it's around 100. Spending a huge amount of time cracking the Algorithm is to focus on only one or two of a hundred factors. It's like going on a blind date, spending two hours picking out a pair of shoes meanwhile you have spinach in your teeth.

Take a different tack.

Isn't the real goal to achieve top rankings that remain high and translate into business and customers?

Don't lose the forest for the trees. If traffic doesn't turn into sales then what is the point? You're kissing your sister. You've spent all your time and energy making sure Google's algorithms like your site, and your users needs haven't been properly addressed.

5 ways to Achieve Top rankings without Chasing Algorithms.

1. Stop focusing on the Search engines. They aren't your audience. Write for your audience. In the longer term this will add value to your site that will translate to indelible traffic.

2. Remember the basics. Always use your main keyword phrase in your title tag. Use META description and keyword tags, link text, heading tags, and the like.

3. Each page should have it's own unique tags and be focused on a keyword. One per page.

4. Write your content well. Content and Context are crucial. Keep it new. Keep it coming. Always remember to be mindful of your keyword phrase, synonyms, related words and surrounding text. Try using ThemeMaster if you need help with this. It's a great program.

5. On Page and Off page factors are important. Focusing on one at the expense of the other will end up hurting you. Find the balance. On-page factors to consider are your tags, body text, prominence, relevance, and the like. Off-page factors include link popularity and link reputation (what those inbound links "say" about your Web page when they link to you).

Is search engine research important? Yes. It's critical.
By way of an example: Earlier this year pages began falling in Gooogle's ranking and SEO's everywhere were trying to figure out how to preserve their hard won rankings.

Doing our research, we learned that it was a compliancy issue. With a pretty simple solution.
Make sure you use a DOCTYPE tag and an ISO statement at the top of every Web page.

For example:
If you didn't know about this compliancy issue you could have waste a lot of time trying to chase the algorithms and end up doing more harm than good.

Keep doing your research and stay current on the search industry.

In conclusion.

If you spend 100 hours cracking the Google's algorithm that may translate into x number of visitors per day. In those same 100 hours you could have written unique, high quality content for many sites that generates more overall traffic. Put people above search engines and you'll increase your traffic.

This article was based on Chasing the Search Engines' Algorithms. . . Should you or shouldn't you? By Robin Nobles