10 replies to this topic

[Cwtguy87]

I am curious about this question because with the Panda/Penguin updates many SEO bloggers have been pushing the power of an authority website. I have several examples of keywords I am targeting in which I have far more content, better written content, real social signals, etc. than those from authority websites. However the authority websites pages are ranked higher than me even though their content for the given example is more sparse, poorly written and riddled with too many ads. Besides that there is no evidence of social signals. Yet they sit on top as the number one result whereas mine is the 5-7 result depending on the day of the week.

What does it take for a small blog to escape from being average to authoritative? I am PR2 and DA36. I have over 120 pages indexed in Google and had my Adsense approved the first time upon application. I write only original content that is helpful to people, not for search engines as I have been warned. Where do I go from there? More social signals or links coming in?

If it is worth anything I am in the investing/financial niche.

[Michael Martinez]

It depends on what definition you give to the expression "authority Website". In most cases I have seen people in SEO forums use the expression to describe their own Websites, which are often penalized, downgraded, banned, or otherwise excoriated by the search engines. So, seriously, what do YOU mean by "authority Website"?

A small blog can become popular, but does that make it an "authority Website"?

A small blog can earn a lot of links, but does that make it an "authority Website"?

A small blog can be quoted in a lot of news articles, but does that make it an "authority Website"?

A small blog can be written by a world-class expert in an esoteric topic, but does THAT make it an "authority Website"?

A small blog can publish thousands of articles, but does that make it an "authority Website"?

As Ambassador Sarek said to the President of the United Federation of Planets in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home": It is difficult to answer, when one does not understand the question.

I am sure you can attract a lot of opinions but honestly what good will they do you if you don't have a clear idea of what YOU mean by "authority Website"?

[Cwtguy87]

I'm not going to try to give any definition to it. That's Google's (and other search engine's) job. My reference to the Panda/Penguin updates should make it clear that I am wondering what the search engine's consider an authoritative website. My hope was some members here could explain to me a bit better as to what Google's definition of an authoritative website is, and how does one finally become considered an "authoritative" website.

To make it even more clear, I cannot find any evidence of Google saying, "these criteria compose an authoritative webiste." However SEO specialists and most likely internet marketers are having a great time telling bloggers that that is what they need to become. I am looking for some evidence as to what Google is trying to say, since I cannot find it.

I know to create good content, to make connections, share, link out and become link worthy, etc. If that is what you are going to suggest I am not really interested then.

Thanks for your reply.

[Jill]

I would say that it's getting mentioned by people and sites that are already considered authoritative.

[Michael Martinez]

I'm not going to try to give any definition to it. That's Google's (and other search engine's) job. My reference to the Panda/Penguin updates should make it clear that I am wondering what the search engine's consider an authoritative website. My hope was some members here could explain to me a bit better as to what Google's definition of an authoritative website is, and how does one finally become considered an "authoritative" website.

To make it even more clear, I cannot find any evidence of Google saying, "these criteria compose an authoritative webiste." However SEO specialists and most likely internet marketers are having a great time telling bloggers that that is what they need to become. I am looking for some evidence as to what Google is trying to say, since I cannot find it.

I don't think Google has a real definition for "authority website". it's not an expression they use, so far as I am aware. It's just a phrase that gets used in the SEO community. Jill's guess is as good as anyone for describing what may help but I doubt even a Googler could really explain the concept for you.

Maybe it would be better to talk in simpler terms, such as "Website trusted by Google (and Bing)". You don't have to match up to anyone's idea of authority to earn trust in a search index.

Edited by Michael Martinez, 20 July 2012 - 02:05 AM.

[chrishirst]

What is "DA36"????

[torka]

My hope was some members here could explain to me a bit better as to what Google's definition of an authoritative website is, and how does one finally become considered an "authoritative" website.

Unfortunately, none of us are Google. And AFAIK, Google has never issued any formal definition of the term nor published any criteria for acceptance. It's possible, even likely, the entire concept is something some SEOs made up to explain an effect they thought they perceived -- which may or may not have anything to do with what's really going on in Google's algorithm.

I understand your frustration at hearing a term tossed around widely in the industry but being unable to pin anyone down to a firm definition. However, asking us to provide you with Google's definition -- especially given the fact that Google hasn't told anyone their definition and it's possible they don't even recognize the term or concept in the first place, at least not as it is generally understood by SEOs -- seems unreasonable.

In other words, you're asking us to provide you with something that probably doesn't exist. It's not exactly fair to get ticked off with us for not producing it.

--Torka

[chrishirst]

And given that Google index and rank URLs not "sites" ... that would make for "authoratitve URLs" rather than whole websites being authoratitive.

[piskie]

Or maybe:
Google ranks individual URLs and the rank of any URL may be influenced by the perceived "Authority" of the containing website.

[chrishirst]

Given the context that the term "authority website" is most often used, maybe it should be:

Google ranks individual URLs and the rank of any URL may be influenced by the perceived "Authority" of the linking URL.

[Michael Martinez]

BTW -- I have seen many so-called "authority Websites" be downgraded by the Panda algorithm. I'm not so sure that many were caught up directly in the Penguin downgrades but a lot of sites lost secondary link value after Penguin, where sites that had been depending on cheap links (or on-page keyword stuffing) lost their ability to pass link value.