- Content Cyborg
- Posts
- I don't think Google meant to leak this...
I don't think Google meant to leak this...
Greetings Cyborg,
The leaked Google ranking algorithm is not just any leak; it's a ground-breaking revelation.
API documents, unveiled on March 13 by an automated bot on Github, reveal some of Google's deepest, darkest SEO secrets.
These are the key things you need to know about the leak and what impact it's going to have on SEO and digital marketing.
Brought to you by Reword
Write people-first articles with an AI trained by you. 🙋 ✍️
Have you ever wondered how to use A.I. to write articles without getting banished into the Google shadow realm?
Reword is a tool for writers to co-exist with A.I. in peace and harmony.
It writes outstanding, people-first articles. Unlike other A.I. tools, which flat-out lie and give boring outputs, Reword learns from your published work, crafting concise, accurate, and consistent articles.
If there was ever a time in SEO to punch up your articles, it's now.
High-quality, engaging content dominates the SERPs, and people desperately crave content with a human touch. Plus, it's hard to stand out when everything looks the same.
That's why Reword is waiting for you to teach it. Your very own co-writer is just a click away.
P.S. Reword offers an ambassador program where you can earn a 30% lifetime commission on all referrals. It's our way of recognizing and rewarding your support for our tool.
LITTLE WORDS
Leaked Google search API documents reveal SEO secrets everyone should know (Link)
OpenAI facing backlash after revealing new flirty AI assistant (Link)
10 Strategies for Ranking Your Website Using ChatGPT (Link)
Google confirms leaked documents are authentic (Link)
Trump’s position on TikTok has seemingly reversed (Link)
Why your AI needs a human counterpart (Link)
THE BIG WORD
I don’t think Google meant to leak this…
What Happened?
These documents are straight from the Content API Warehouse at Google HQ. Who got their hands on them? Rand Fishkin from SparkToro and Michael King from iPullRank.
The leak offers a glimpse into the mechanics of Google's search ranking system.
A topic that has long been shrouded in mystery and speculation within the SEO community.
Another thing to note is that Google has gone on record to downplay the role of many ranking factors. With this recent leak, we can see they've been caught in a lie.
Key Insights from the Documents
The leaked documents show that Google's search ranking system is incredibly complex. It has 2,596 different modules and 14,014 specific attributes, each of which decides how content is ranked in search results.
Yet, the documents don't tell us how vital each module or attribute is. This makes it hard to know exactly how each factor influences a webpage's final ranking.
A notable revelation from the leak is the existence of "Twiddlers." These are re-ranking functions designed to adjust the information retrieval score of a document or alter its ranking. Twiddlers fine-tune search results so the most relevant content appears at the top.
The documents highlight why content may be demoted in search rankings. Some factors for demotion include:
- Links that do not match the target site.
- Negative SERP signals indicating user dissatisfaction.
- Poor-quality product reviews.
- Location mismatches.
- Exact match domains that do not provide substantial value.
- Content flagged as pornographic.
The Role of Links and User Engagement
Link Importance
It's not a big surprise here; links are important! Documents emphasize the ongoing significance of links in Google's ranking algorithm. Specifically, they highlight the importance of link diversity and relevance.
This means you need to have various links from different, high-quality sources.
Google still uses PageRank, a system used for years to measure the importance of web pages based on links.
It's now confirmed to play a significant role in ranking content.
PageRank is an algorithm that measures the importance of web pages based on the quantity and quality of links.
It considers links as "votes" of confidence, with links from authoritative sources carrying more weight.
Despite advancements in Google's search algorithms, PageRank remains significant in evaluating web pages.
It signifies authority, trust, and the relevance of backlinks. Modern SEO emphasizes link diversity and relevance, focusing on earning natural links from reputable sites.
To leverage PageRank for SEO, focus on the following:
1. Earning high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites
2. Diversifying your link profile with relevant links from various domains
3. Building links organically by providing valuable content
4. Using internal linking to distribute PageRank within your site
These factors highlight the importance of acquiring high-quality backlinks from credible, relevant websites.
User Engagement Metrics
Google's ranking system values user engagement metrics highly. The leaked documents mention metrics such as successful clicks, 'goodClicks,' and 'badClicks,' which measure how users interact with search results and websites.
This underscores the importance of providing valuable content and a user-friendly experience.
For example, a "goodClick" is when a user clicks on a search result and spends a lot of time on the page. That indicates to Google they found the content valuable.
A "badClick" occurs when a user quickly returns to the search results after clicking on a link. This suggests that the content wasn't helpful.
I've been shouting this at the top of my lungs for years. As forward-thinking marketers, we must provide great content and excellent user experiences.
Optimizing for keywords isn't enough. To drive better user engagement, you have to focus on the quality and usability of your content.
Brand Recognition
Google wants to promote popular brands. The recognition of your brand determines where your website appears in search results.
A strong brand can drive more traffic, increase clicks, and earn more backlinks.
Authorship and Expertise
Search engines like Google consider the credibility of content authors when ranking pages. Pages written by authoritative, expert authors rank higher in search results.
Google loves authors who have extensive expertise and authority on a given topic.
The Sandbox Effect
The leak also confirmed the controversial "sandbox" effect, which Google had long denied. The sandbox is a filter that prevents new websites from ranking well in search results despite content quality. Many SEO professionals suspected this, but the documents prove it.
The sandbox requires new sites to build credibility before they can compete.
Whether the sandbox effect is good or bad depends on your perspective. It helps maintain high-quality search results but can be challenging for new sites trying to gain visibility.
For new site owners, this means being patient and building a robust and trustworthy site over time.
What You Should Do Now
Providing high-quality, engaging content is crucial for improving rankings.
Aside from Link-building, focus on earning genuine, editorially placed links from reputable sources.
Links driving real click-throughs are precious, indicating genuine interest and relevance. Avoid spammy tactics; aim for natural links integrated into authoritative content.
Building a strong brand is also critical. To boost credibility, secure authoritative brand mentions and links from well-regarded sources. Invest in PR, advertising, and community building to increase brand awareness and authority.
Engage in activities like sponsorships, industry discussions, and fostering an engaged community. A more substantial brand presence positively impacts search rankings.
Despite the new revelations, the fundamental principles of SEO remain unchanged. Google's transparency regarding its ranking algorithms remains questionable, so we must always take what they say with a pinch of salt.
Focus on high-quality, people-first content. This will make it easier to rank, and people will develop a strong admiration for your content. Delivering value to your audience has always been and will always be the #1 way to be successful in SEO.
FROM THE CYBORG CHIEFS
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Anytime you’re ready, here are ways we can help you:
🖊️ Claim Reword’s 1-month FREE Trial today and start writing people-first articles with the help of AI trained by you!
đź’° Make money from us! Our Ambassador Program earns you a 30% commission on every new client that signs up. Grab your link.
🎥 Did you know we're on YouTube? Our YT channel contains all our detailed guides for getting things done with Reword. 99% of the walkthroughs are less than 10 minutes long! ( While you're there, could you hit subscribe, please).
X If you want to keep up with all the latest news and updates we've got for you, this is where to go.
THE MESSY END BIT…
Are you new around here? You can join us for free.