ikipedia defines the “irrelevant” or “less relevant”?
World Wide Web (“Web”) as
“a system of interlinked, They rely on whatever is found on
hypertext documents that runs a Web page and they rely on links
over the Internet. With a Web that direct to a specific Web
browser, a user views Web pages page. Whatever is found on a Web
that may contain text, images, page can easily be manipulated,
and other multimedia and but what is found on another
navigates between them using person’s Web page is harder to
hyperlinks.” The Web has only control. That leads us to the
been around since 1990, and yet, intrinsic nature of the Web,
it already counts trillions of which is a network of
Web pages. “interconnected” Web pages. The
connectedness of Web pages is
With so much information and the complicated by the fact that
number of Web surfers increasing webmasters, the creators of the
on a daily basis, the challenge Web pages, have their own agenda,
of directing users to the which often conflicts with the
appropriate source of information objectives of Web surfers.
is becoming increasingly complex. Webmasters want to increase their
That role belongs to search websites’ exposure (which would
engines such as Google, Yahoo, translate into increased
and MSN who are competing traffic), whereas Web surfers
fiercely in order to come up with want to find information that is
the best and most accurate search the most relevant to them. It is
results. Search engines act as in this type of environment that
“filters” in differentiating search engines come into play in
between the relevant and the trying to act as arbitrators.
irrelevant. Yet, how do they know
what is “relevant” and what is How do they do that? They
evaluate the quality, relevancy, but every minute of every day,
and weight of each incoming link with no end in sight. The
in order to assign a value to it. never-ending election it is
The whole idea is based on the called.
“democratic” nature of the Web.
Why is it necessary for search There are two facets to
engines to “assign a value” to networking: (1) expanding a
incoming links (or, in other network and (2) strengthening a
words, why aren’t all links of network. Expanding a network
equal value)? Because search means to have the most exposure
engines recognize the fact that as possible while strengthening a
“corruption” exists within the network means getting votes.
system and assigning a value to Other webmasters might know about
incoming links is a way to fight a certain site, but they are
that corruption. The corruption under no obligation to link to
comes mainly from webmasters that that site. In that regard, the
are trying to bend the rules in easy way to win a vote is to
their favour in order to achieve provide some incentives to other
higher rankings. sites, meaning paying them a fee
to add a link on their site
In this kind of environment, how (“sponsored link”) or
to maximize a website’s exposure reciprocating with a link back.
while respecting generally The problem with this approach is
accepted guidelines of website that it costs money, is time
development and promotion? By consuming, and might only trigger
networking with other websites a “vote” coming from a “link
and making the case for votes. exchange” page, which is of poor
Sounds like an election? It is! quality. A more difficult
Except that this election does approach to networking is to
not take place every four years, create “partnerships” with other
websites where each side would website development.
benefit or creating quality
content that would warrant This is where the two aspects of
inbound links. search engine optimization
connect. On-page and off-page
This latter approach to optimization go hand in hand
networking has the advantage of because quality content is key to
(1) creating links that are more successful and sustainable
contextual, meaning that they networking. This is also where
will also have more value for webmasters and Web users connect
search engines; (2) costing as quality content is also what
nothing because they are given most people are looking for when
out of free will; and (3) meeting they search the Web.
accepted guidelines of proper
About the Author:
John Stronack is an SEO expert and a writer for WorkBloom.com (a website giving job search tips). This introduction to SEO was based in part on the networking tips available on WorkBloom. Whether networking for a job or networking for a "vote," the basics remain the same.
Read more articles by:
John Stronack
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
