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Overview of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Factors

There are three major search engines that use three distinct algorithms to provide searchers with the most relevant results available. MSN, Yahoo, and Google each place different values on factors in determining the relevance of a site and its keywords. The following is a brief list of the most important factors that each search engine takes into consideration when determining rankings.

MSN – 13.2% Market Share of Searches

  • Well structured site (follows best practices for SEO)
  • Sizable site (size depends upon competitors within space)
  • Many inbound links (age of inbound links is not a factor)
  • Relevant theme is followed through-out site

Yahoo – 28.0% Market Share of Searches

  • Well structured site (follows best practices for SEO)
  • Sizable site (size depends upon competitors within space)
  • Unique content
  • Many inbound links
  • Age of inbound links (may not get full value from an inbound link for 8 months)

Google – 42.7% Market Share of Searches

  • Well structured site (follows best practices for SEO)
  • Sizable site (size depends upon competitors within space)
  • Unique content
  • Updated content and new content added on a fairly regular basis
  • Many inbound links
  • Continuous addition of inbound links
  • Age of inbound links (may not get full value from an inbound link for 8 months)
  • Age of domain (new domains can take 9-12 months to be ranked)
  • Age of individual pages (new URL page names can take numerous months to be ranked)

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