Recently, Rand Fishkin leaked Google API docs, and while I’m typically skeptical of his info, these documents align with a lot of what we’ve suspected. SEO isn’t just about listening to Google; it’s about testing strategies.
Key takeaways:
Google uses a metric called “siteAuthority,” similar to domain authority.
Click data does impact rankings, with a system called “NavBoost.”
There’s a “sandbox” effect for new sites.
Chrome data is used for ranking.
Backlink diversity and quantity remain crucial.
Authors with expertise can improve ranking.
Keywords in title tags and content remain key.
Google monitors dates for content freshness.
Core SEO principles like quality content and testing strategies still apply.
We’ve long believed this, but now it’s clearer than ever. To excel in SEO, experiment and measure results rather than relying solely on Google’s official statements.
Kyle Roof has shared insights on similar topics, discussing how no-followed links from high-traffic pages still pass ranking value. We’ve tested this and seen similar results.
It’s more nuanced than it sounds. High-tier backlinks from pages that get traffic appear more valuable. It confirms what some SEOs, like Kyle Roof, have discussed about building rank through targeted, relevant content.
Wish this leak hadn’t happened. Spammers will take advantage of it. But for those of us who’ve been in the industry a while, it mostly confirms what we’ve observed.