Link Popularity

 

Link Popularity is the true key to Search Engine ranking success, now and probably in the future.

For example, Google uses the link structure of the web to determine what is important, what is relevant and what is not. A link from one page to another is interpreted as a “vote” of popularity for the website receiving the link. As a general rule, the more links or votes a page has, the higher it will appear in an engine's search results.

Of course there are rules. Search engines use an algorithmic point system to determine rankings. Links back to your site are given a specific weight or value. Links that exist on "popular pages" are better than links on unpopular pages. Links on pages that have fewer links to other sites are better than links on pages that have many links.

Also, sites can be designated "authority" status within the ranking systems of search engines. One example of an authority site might be an auto parts manufacturer that has hundreds of dealer sites pointing to them. All or most of the links are directly related to the the same industry: auto parts. In this example the dealer sites are called "hub" sites.

So, there's a direct correlation between authority and ranking. It get's a bit more complicated in terms of algorithms and formulas, but that's the basic gist of it.