If you are my age or older then you remember that fascinating little toy. What an absolute genius invention that Rubiks Cube was. It captured the attention of millions of kids. Some little geniuses could solve it quickly. Some never figured it out. I eventually solved the little bastard. It took me a while though and an awful lot of trial and error.
Wouldn’t it be nice if Google’s ranking algorithm had a bunch of different colored stickers on it? Then we could peel them off and stick them on the right sides so that everything lined up perfectly. It would sure be a hell of a lot easier than trying to twist it in the right directions in the right order so that we can get everything lined up.
Instead we are forced to get one color right at a time. And as we get closer to getting that second color lined up along with the first, Google goes and adds another color into the mix to shuffle the puzzle up a little bit. Their latest favorite colors have been black and white (like a Panda). Or maybe black and white were already on the cube to represent the different color hats that SEO’ers and link builders wear?
There are some really good SEO people out there who have solved the puzzle before, more than once even. Yet, sometimes on some projects they just can’t seem to get the dang thing to line up. They keep working at it. They keep adding new twists (links) in one direction. Then twist it in another direction (on-page optimization). Sometimes they get another side all the same color and the webpage moves one notch higher in the SERPs. But with all this twisting and turning we have to be careful to get the new colors to line up without screwing up the existing colors (rankings).
Some people choose risky paths like buying links or using link networks. That is like tossing your Rubik’s cube to that demented little neighbor kid next door. He might make some progress for a little while. But when your Mom(Google) finds out you lent the toy to that little neighbor kid, she is going to go take it back from him. Then she is going to punish you by twisting that cube up all up all over again. You are right back where you started. Except now you can only play with it again after you ask her Googleness to forgive you and she lets you out of time out. (Reconsideration request) Bad Johnny!
Every new website you work on is like solving that Rubik’s Cube puzzle over again for the first time. You are better than you were last time, but you still haven’t mastered it. It still remains challenging. Maybe with enough practice we will all get like those freaks who could solve the thing in under a minute. What do you think? …………nah…..probably not.
When we get done solving the Google Algorithm puzzle, maybe we can get together to play some Dungeons and Dragons. (lol)
P.S. This post inspired me to give out Rubik’s Cubes this Christmas to all the kids I have to buy for that fit that age group. Sweet! Christmas shopping half done and its only October. Double sweet!
Quite interesting. You damn made the thing seem a hell to work with but your point is quite clear. I think there is a better way to go with this really. Instead of trying to figure out how google algorithm work, why not focus of creating useful content? Stay within what google has revealed for us as good practices and you’ll sure get along, or is that not enough?
Yes you should do as you say “Stay within the Google guidelines and produce useful content.” I am all for that. There is more to it than that though in my opinion. I think it is much easier to build a successful website when you take the time to learn and really understand how search engines prioritize certain characteristics of your web pages and website as a whole. It gives you an edge over your competition. It could save you years worth of extra work.
It’s hard to argue with “You damn made the thing seem a hell to work with” but have to agree: Content alone won’t cut it for getting search engines and people to find your site.