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The term "search engine" is often used to describe both
crawler-based search engines and human-powered directories.
These two types of search engines obtain their listings in
different ways.
- Crawler-based search engines
- Crawler-based search engines, such as Google, create their
listings automatically. They "crawl" or "spider" the web and then
store the information it finds in an "index" (also called a
catalog) that are used to provide search results for the search
engine users. Once your page is indexed, people can search
through what crawler-based search engines have found.
Crawler-based search engines use complex and proprietary
algorithms to determine your rankings. For competitive reasons,
they keep their algorithm secret. What's an algorithm? We use
algorithms every day. For example, the recipe for baking a cake
is an algorithm.
- Human-powered directories
- A human-powered directory, such as the Open Directory, depend
on humans for their listings. Basically, you submit a description
to the directory for your website, or editors write one for sites
they review. A human-powered directory searches for matches in
the descriptions they have indexed. Directories are organized by
subject and sorted in categories, normally two.
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How to influence crawler-based search engines
- Before you submit your pages to a crawler-based search
engine, see the criteria below.
- Visit each major crawler-based search engine and learn how to
add your Web pages.
- Crawler-based search engines have changed a great deal over
time. But, most still match their results based on the following
criteria:
- Title: A keyword phrase in the title of each Web
page.
- Text: Use bold, italic, or in a H1 - H5 heading to
highlight your keyword phrases).
- Keyword Density: The ratio of a keywords or keyphrases
to the total words on a page. A density of 3% to 7% is generally
considered good.
- Meta Tags: Although some search engine experts claim
Meta keywords aren't important, some search engines still use
Meta descriptions and Meta keywords to index your pages.
- External Links: Link to related sites who have a high
ranking.
- Inbound Links: Encourage related sites to link
you.
- Internal Links: Place a navigation bar on each page
that links to your major pages.
- Frames :( If you use frames read this article at
Search Engine Watch: Search
Engines And Frames
How to influence human-powered directories
- Before you submit to a directory, write a 25 word description
of your Website. This description should contain at least two -
three keyword phrases that you want to use.
- Visit each major directory and read how to add your site. It
is essential you follow exactly their instructions.
- Submit your Website.
- It is up to human editors to add your site.
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