Google is constantly updating their search algorithm in an effort to provide the best quality and most relevant content to their users. The Panda and Penguin updates weeded out a lot of the duplicate and poor quality content that was appearing in user searches and reduced the effectiveness of link scheming. A more recent update to Google’s algorithm is AuthorRank, which will give writers and business professionals the opportunity to prove their standing within their respective industry.
AuthorRank will work in tandem with PageRank (Google’s current link analysis algorithm) to rank user search results. AuthorRank works in several different ways to ensure that users locate high-quality content on a consistent basis.
When people use Google there are two types of searches working together: one is query-dependent and delivers results that are closely related to the individual’s question. The second is query-independent and is based on the search terms Google uses to measure the PageRank and AuthorRank of content to determine the best results.
AuthorRank uses a number of factors to determine an individual’s ranking including:
- The average PageRank of the author’s current online content
- The average amount of +1s and shares through the author’s Google+ account
- The number of Google Circles the author is in
- The author’s connections with other highly rated authors
- The number of credible sites that have featured the author
- Engagement level on websites and social media
- Real-world authority influence
(published work on Google Books or Scholar)
In addition to these factors, AuthorRank will also take into account how often an author’s content is shared, who it is shared by and whether the comments were positive or negative. In order to become a verified author and have your own AuthorRank you must create and manage a personal Google+ account and follow these instructions.
AuthorRank is able to define the category in which content belongs and then assign a ranking based on the author’s authority within that field. For example, if an individual has a high AuthorRank in the real estate industry and writes a piece about investment banking, Google will give them a lower AuthorRank for that specific piece, since it falls outside their area of “expertise.”
Google makes it easy to become a verified author, the hard part is consistently creating engaging and timely content that your audience wants and shares. Prove your standing as an industry leader and promote your company, business or service through high-quality content linked to its main asset: you.
