Think for a second just how incredible this is – You open up Google and type in a query. In a fraction of a second, a whole slew of results are presented starting with the most relevant at the top. Search works exactly the same whether you’re searching from a desktop or mobile device. For all the latest updates, people from around the globe turn to Google which now processes over 3 billion search queries a day.
The entire process is something that most of us undoubtedly take for granted. But have you ever wondered how Google Search works? If you have then read on for an overview of how Search works and how you can improve your own rankings in the search results.
How Google Crawls the Web
Google’s goal has always been clear – To provide the most relevant search results. But doing that first requires finding all the pages that exist on the web.
Crawling is the process where Googlebots (automated programs) scour the entire web of hundreds of billions of web pages. The process starts with crawling a list of URLs that have previously been crawled. As the Googlebots visit these pages, the crawlers follow the links and
discover new pages. Automated programs are used to determine which sites to crawl, how often, and how many pages to fetch.
You want Google to crawl your site so any new pages you create are added to the index. While you can request a URL to be crawled, it’s strongly recommended to create a site map (a file containing a list of pages on your site) and submit it through Search Console.
Googlebots can crawl most content types with the exception of rich media like Flash. Keep that in mind when building your site to ensure it appears in the search results.
How the Search Index Works
Crawling simply finds new information. Now comes the hard part of actually organising the mountains of data and making it accessible to online users. Obviously, when you perform a search you’re looking for the most relevant results based on your query.
The search index is comprised of hundreds of billions of web pages. Delivering relevant results based on individual queries is no easy task. So Google relies on complex algorithms that evaluate hundreds of different factors from keyword usage to inbound links and more. Other factors like how fast a site loads and whether it’s mobile friendly also affect where a page ranks.
This is good news as it means that following the basics of SEO (search engine optimisation) can go a long way towards improving your rankings. These include:
Optimising your title tags and subheadings to include your keywords
Adding relevant keywords throughout your content
Including images and other media like videos
Implementing a responsive design to be mobile friendly
Increasing loading times for a faster browsing experience
By optimising individuals aspects of your site, you’re not only making it easier for Google to crawl your pages but also increasing your visibility in the search results for target keywords. Higher rankings ultimately means more targeted traffic to your landing pages.
More people than ever before are relying on Google to find all kinds of information. This represents an opportunity that you simply can’t afford to miss whether you sell products online or have a local storefront. A deeper understanding of how Google search works enables you to better optimise your site and drive more sales as a result.
Author’s Bio
Alex Morrison has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including home improvement, financial support and health care. As the owner of Integral Media he is now utilising his knowledge and experience with his rapidly increasing client portfolio to help them achieve their business goals.