What is an authority site?
- Thread starter temi
- Start date
Search engines use technology known as 'clustering' (Google refer to them as neighbourhoods). A neighbourhood is built up in just the same way as in the offline world, through connections.(links). They are also topical for search.
OK so lets say we have a neighbourhood for 'SEO', lets say there are 100,000 sites in the main neighbourhood. The Algorithm then looks at the linking architecture between all those sites, and the site that gains the most inbound links from its peers is the MAIN AUTHORITY in that neighbourhood. Also the site that links to the most sites within that neighbourhood will be the HUB site. Hubs and authorities.
It is not uncommon for a single site to be both a hub, AND authority site, (wiki for example). THIS is one of the reasons why I have always advocated quality outbound links. If your outbounds stick to your niche, then you are placing yourself in the neighbourhood of your choice. By linking to off topic sites, you are damaging your relevancy.
OK so lets say we have a neighbourhood for 'SEO', lets say there are 100,000 sites in the main neighbourhood. The Algorithm then looks at the linking architecture between all those sites, and the site that gains the most inbound links from its peers is the MAIN AUTHORITY in that neighbourhood. Also the site that links to the most sites within that neighbourhood will be the HUB site. Hubs and authorities.
It is not uncommon for a single site to be both a hub, AND authority site, (wiki for example). THIS is one of the reasons why I have always advocated quality outbound links. If your outbounds stick to your niche, then you are placing yourself in the neighbourhood of your choice. By linking to off topic sites, you are damaging your relevancy.
The authority site is given to a site by measuring its quality, gauged by a combination of size, importance and relevance. These sites generally consist of one broad topic with many sub-topics.
Authority sites generally have more content and more pages than other sites. The search engines feed on content-rich websites and those with many pages and much content per page better when going head-to-head with a smaller site.
Authority sites generally have more content and more pages than other sites. The search engines feed on content-rich websites and those with many pages and much content per page better when going head-to-head with a smaller site.
Lovely, I hear what you are saying, but it is very general. you say :~
The authority site is given to a site by measuring its quality, gauged by a combination of size, importance and relevance.
So how do you say the algorithm actually places a vlue on each?
You also say:~
The search engines feed on content-rich websites and those with many pages and much content per page better when going head-to-head with a smaller site.
So how does my small company website outrank so many of the massive sites for its chosen phrases?
I am not disagreeing here, I am looking to take the debate farther along the road. To say that an authority site is an authority site because it is better quality, more relevant, and more important, is really not saying anything unless you can explain HOW this comes about ie How they actually ATTAIN the staus of 'importance' , 'relevance' & 'quality'.
The authority site is given to a site by measuring its quality, gauged by a combination of size, importance and relevance.
So how do you say the algorithm actually places a vlue on each?
You also say:~
The search engines feed on content-rich websites and those with many pages and much content per page better when going head-to-head with a smaller site.
So how does my small company website outrank so many of the massive sites for its chosen phrases?
I am not disagreeing here, I am looking to take the debate farther along the road. To say that an authority site is an authority site because it is better quality, more relevant, and more important, is really not saying anything unless you can explain HOW this comes about ie How they actually ATTAIN the staus of 'importance' , 'relevance' & 'quality'.
B
Bagi Zoltán
Guest
OWG, your knowledge always fascinate me. 
To help move it along a little, I will use the black and white of Googles backrub patent.
Importance is purely mathematical, it is a NUMERIC VALUE gained through the values of interlinking websites. Relevance is an algorithmic element that draws more on textual values. So a site with lots of semantic inbound links to various deep pages linked by lots and lots (technical term) of sites, 'should' result in a quality score.
Bagi, IMO you don't stop looking until there is nothing left to look for
I use the 'so what's that?' methodology. I ask " why is a site at the top of google?" someone tells me 'it is the best' I Ask So what's that? best?
They say ' the most relevant' I ask 'so whats that?
They say 'google has an algorithm and it decides what sites to show' I ask 'so whats that'?
They say an algorithm is a mathematical programme that uses variables to calculate a value.
I ask variables? so whats that?
and on we go into all the variables anchor text, link volume, topic sensitivity variable values, Semantic relevance and hundreds and hundreds of others, until eventually there is nothing more to ask, and it is broken down to a simple understandable elements.
At the end of the day it comes down to this simple statement, and it is a statement I use as a guide. I tell it to ALL my clients to help them underrstand what it is all about.
A search engine ONLY has two elements on which to base its opinion of your site.
1. What YOU say about your site.
2. What OTHERS say about your site.
It really is as simple as that. Now if you are running a web design website, but are linking out to a poker site, a holidays in the bahamas website, and lots of others, what does THAT say about your site?
If I were a search engine I would think that you did a bit of websit design in the bahamas, while playing poker?
Imagine your wife wanting plastic surgery, say she wanted bigger boobs. She calls up a plastic surgeon he says.
Good afternoon, welcome to the house of humber, PHigh quality Plastic surgery and drains unblocked at reduced rates! would you use him for either?
Same with the web. IMO
Importance is purely mathematical, it is a NUMERIC VALUE gained through the values of interlinking websites. Relevance is an algorithmic element that draws more on textual values. So a site with lots of semantic inbound links to various deep pages linked by lots and lots (technical term
) of sites, 'should' result in a quality score. Bagi, IMO you don't stop looking until there is nothing left to look for
I use the 'so what's that?' methodology. I ask " why is a site at the top of google?" someone tells me 'it is the best' I Ask So what's that? best?
They say ' the most relevant' I ask 'so whats that?
They say 'google has an algorithm and it decides what sites to show' I ask 'so whats that'?
They say an algorithm is a mathematical programme that uses variables to calculate a value.
I ask variables? so whats that?
and on we go into all the variables anchor text, link volume, topic sensitivity variable values, Semantic relevance and hundreds and hundreds of others, until eventually there is nothing more to ask, and it is broken down to a simple understandable elements.
At the end of the day it comes down to this simple statement, and it is a statement I use as a guide. I tell it to ALL my clients to help them underrstand what it is all about.
A search engine ONLY has two elements on which to base its opinion of your site.
1. What YOU say about your site.
2. What OTHERS say about your site.
It really is as simple as that. Now if you are running a web design website, but are linking out to a poker site, a holidays in the bahamas website, and lots of others, what does THAT say about your site?
If I were a search engine I would think that you did a bit of websit design in the bahamas, while playing poker?
Imagine your wife wanting plastic surgery, say she wanted bigger boobs. She calls up a plastic surgeon he says.
Good afternoon, welcome to the house of humber, PHigh quality Plastic surgery and drains unblocked at reduced rates! would you use him for either?
Same with the web. IMO
So does anyone else have an opinion on this?
Authority sites tend to be placed for almost ant phrase that is relevant to their content.
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Bagi Zoltán
Guest
OWG, I read almost the whole thread again and I have one more question Only the authority sites are picked up from the results, or the HUBs as well?
Only the authority sites are picked up from the results, or the HUBs as well?
Hubs can rank as well, just as well in fact. Think of it like this. If someone searches for 'web designers in Wales' , which would be the best page to show them, a page from a web design company, or a page that links to many sites that all are on the topic of web designers in wales?
The second one is obviously the better option, which is why directories that are well niched and optimised come up in the serps so much.
The second one is obviously the better option, which is why directories that are well niched and optimised come up in the serps so much.
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Bagi Zoltán
Guest
Thank you for the quick answer I must learn the search engine's way of thinking.
I must learn the search engine's way of thinking.LOL.. in layman's terms, well put, I understand that logic.
I ran a small holiday website for my folks which was linked to from a very good site, it was built by a professional and I ascribed all the relevant tags, keywords etc... I also ensured those words were included in the page description as well, I then contacted dozens of holiday websites but mainly in the local shire, they were kind enough to link back and the results were incredible, the place was constantly booked even through most winter weekends, this may tally with what you say, the site came above many other (so called) powerful sites.
Its as though Google is rewarding the sites that help maintain a healthy flow within Google, the sites that are well groomed and take care of them selves and where they link to is rewarded with respect in form of higher pr.
Laymans terms is what I do best. An Analogy is worth a thousand technical words (most use them so they can ad a few 000's on the charge anyhow LOL.
It is ALL about relevancy now (and always has been IMO). I have always preached to link for traffic (links that visitors would follow), and the SEO benefits follow on behind.
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To Bagi RE: I must learn the search engine's way of thinking
THAT is what makes a good Web Marketer Once you learn to empathise with the Search engines, you come to understand what it is they want. The Search engines in turn think what the SEARCHER wants, so all you have to do is to think like a searcher. When you next go to a crap site, learn from it. When you next search, take a look at the top 10 sites and look what they have in common, then THINK!
It is ALL about relevancy now (and always has been IMO). I have always preached to link for traffic (links that visitors would follow), and the SEO benefits follow on behind.
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To Bagi RE: I must learn the search engine's way of thinking
THAT is what makes a good Web Marketer
Once you learn to empathise with the Search engines, you come to understand what it is they want. The Search engines in turn think what the SEARCHER wants, so all you have to do is to think like a searcher. When you next go to a crap site, learn from it. When you next search, take a look at the top 10 sites and look what they have in common, then THINK!Similar threads
