Google and Search Quality
It is not often, but Google has just given some information about its algorithm, through a post of the head of quality search service on the official blog of the search engine.
In fact, the information is voluntarily given sparingly, the exact algorithm must remain secret, it must not be given too much information to those who would manipulate it to get the best position in the results!
Nevertheless, an effort is made to open it a little more than in the past, and some crucial information is provided in the post.
This reminds us
that, contrary to what some believe, PageRank remains an important factor
in positioning.
Other factors are:
- The models of languages: the ability to understand phrases, synonyms, accents, misspelling, etc..
- The query models: there is not just language, but how it is used today.
- The time models: some pages are best answers when they exists for 30 minutes, and others when they underwent the test of time.
- The personalized models: all people are not looking for the same things (same thought behind same words, a personal note).
Besides the work to improve the algorithm, other groups operate on the evaluation of results. In real time we assess the quality of the responses of the algorithm, to check its relevance, especially with the control about improvements as soon as they are made. This is the work of statisticians to measure the quality of results.
The note tells us that PageRank was modifiedn January 2008 and thus that it is not immutable!
A group is devoted to spam and all types of abuse as hidden text. This' webspam 'group, we learn, is working together with the Google Webmaster Central group, which provides aid and tools for webmasters.