Climb to the Top

No one has a magic formula to guarantee you top ranking with the engines all the time, Despite some of the claims you may have heard. All of the search engines are different, and what may work well on one this week, might not work well the next.

The key to successful ranking is in learning to think like a the search engines. If you can learn what kind of things search engines like, and build your web pages to that standard, you'll quickly be on your way to high ranking in the search engines.

Over 90% of all the searches done on the Internet are done on less than 10 search engines. However, many of the so called 'engines' that mass submission programs submit to are not really engines at all.  If they aren't search engines, then what are they?

A Search Engine - is a database that has been built by 'spiders' or 'robots.' These cyber spiders scour the Internet analyzing web pages and logging information. They then return the information to a database where it is stored. Theoretically, the web site should show up in the search results the next time the engine updates. The delay can be from a few days to months.

A Directory - is also a database of web sites. However, directories (such as Yahoo) don't rely on spiders. Instead, human editors review and categorize the web sites that have been submitted for inclusion, and decide if the listing will be accepted. In contrast to search engines, which may list every page on a site, most frequently a directory will only list one page. Once a site is listed in a directory, getting a human editor to change your listing or move you to another category can be almost impossible. 

Most search engines, and directories for that matter, provide guidance on how to prepare your pages prior to submitting them.  Know what type of search tools you are submitting to (a directory or a search engine) and follow their suggestions.

They want you to succeed nearly as much as you do.

Your ranking in the search engines will constantly fluctuate for a variety of reasons. New sites are added and dropped from the index. Your competition changes the content of their web site, which results in a new position for them. The search engines change their algorithm. The list goes on and on.  It is therefore essential that you continue to monitor and make adjustments in your web site to maintain your position in the search engines.