Google's leaked documents send SEO Community into disarray

How many of you are struck by nostalgia if I say "Altavista"?

Well, the world was simpler back then. Now, in a shocking turn of events, thousands of pages of technical documents related to Google's search algorithm have leaked online, revealing information that contradicts years of public statements made by the tech giant. Among the most significant revelations is the admission that rankings are determined by click-centric user signals. This directly contradicts Google's previous assurances that they do not consider such factors when determining search results.

A "hidden" application, NavBoost, employs multiple factors to identify trending search demand, including the number of searches for a given keyword and the number of clicks on a search result. It distinguishes between long and short clicks based on user behavior patterns, which can be detected through cookie history, logged-in Chrome data, and pattern detection.

Google evaluates websites' overall quality at the host level (aka Domain Authority exist), which can result in either a boost or demotion based on its analysis (and if your domain name matches a keyword, you get penalized even more). This could have significant implications for SEO strategies and how websites approach content creation and optimization.

As more information about Google's leaked documents comes to light, it's clear that they represent a major shift in the way we think about Google's search algorithm and its impact on website rankings. My opinion of Google has never been very good, but now it is significantly worse, perhaps irredeemable. Whether this will ultimately lead to changes in the way Google does business remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world of SEO and digital marketing is poised for some significant upheaval as we grapple with these new revelations. Will some new search engine appear out of nowhere and save the day?