Sunday Bonus Blogging Post #1

Dear blogger,

Have you ever asked yourself “What are search engine algorithms and why should I care as a blogger?”

I’ve been blogging for more than a minute now and the importance of search engine optimization has been something drilled into me throughout my adventure of becoming a better blogger. While I’m better at SEO than I once was, I’m not as good at it as I could be.

If you’re a blogger, regardless of your genre or niche, you’re probably interested in getting better results from your posts as well as growing to become a better blogger, in general. After all, blogging is a considerable investment of your time. Why not do it well?

What are search engine algorithms?

Glad you asked.

Search engine algorithms are complex sets of rules and processes used by search engines like Google, Bing, and others to determine the ranking of web pages in search results. These algorithms consider various factors to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality search results.

An algorithm is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially as performed by a computer.

An example of an algorithm expressed mathematically is:

n! = n × (n – 1) × (n – 2) × … × 3 × 2 × 1

This expression defines the step-by-step process for calculating the factorial of a given number. Easy math, right!?!

“I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them.”
Isaac Asimov

Some Other Key Terms

Search engines are programs that search for and identify items in a database that correspond to keywords or characters specified by the computer user. Users utilize search engines primarily to find particular sites on the World Wide Web.

The internet is a gigantic global network of interconnected computers and devices whose infrastructure allows data to be transmitted and shared between them. The internet actually existed before the World Wide Web and encompasses various services beyond just web browsing, including email, file sharing, and more.

The World Wide Web is a system operating over the internet. It consists of a huge collection of interlinked web pages and multimedia content that can be accessed via web browsers. The WWW relies on the internet to transmit data. It serves as a tool for accessing and sharing information.

While closely related, the World Wide Web (WWW) and the internet are not synonymous terms.

Interested in learning how to grow your blog? Check out my post How To Grow Your Blog.

It’s an oldie but a goodie!

Why Should Bloggers Care About Search Engine Algorithms?

Bloggers should care about search engine algorithms for a number of reasons:

Visibility: To put it plainly, algorithms determine how well your blog posts rank in search results. Higher rankings mean more visibility, which can lead to increased traffic and a larger audience.
Relevance: Algorithms also help assess the relevance of your content to user queries. Bloggers who create content aligned with search engine queries are more likely to appear in search results. In other words, create content that people are interested in at the moment.
Quality: Algorithms favor high-quality content. Bloggers who produce well-researched, informative, and engaging posts are more likely to rank well. Otherwise, it’s just your opinion.
User Experience: Algorithms consider factors like page speed and mobile-friendliness. Bloggers need to ensure their websites provide a good user experience to meet these algorithm requirements. Thankfully, WordPress does an excellent job administering this.
Competition: Understanding search algorithms helps you compete effectively with other bloggers in your niche. Staying updated with SEO best practices can give you an edge. And we all need an edge, am I right?
Long-Term Success: Adapting to algorithm changes and following best practices can lead to long-term success and consistent traffic to your blog. It’s a long race not a short sprint.

Search engine algorithms play a crucial role in determining a blogger’s success. These key algorithms influence a blog’s visibility, relevance, and overall user experience.

As a blogger who wants to get better at blogging, staying informed about algorithm updates and SEO best practices are essential.

While SEO is not the be-all-end-all answer to blogging success, SEO and the algorithms that search engines rely on are part of the soup ingredients that lead to a fulfilling blogging experience, both for the blogger and the reader.

Happy blogging!

The Devotional Guy™

Rainer Bantau