Search engines like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo are the primary way people find information online. To understand how to optimize a website for search engines (SEO), it’s essential to first understand how they work. Search engines have three core functions:
1. Crawling
Crawling is the process of discovering new and updated content on the web. Search engines use automated programs called “crawlers” or “spiders” to follow links and discover new pages. These crawlers are constantly scanning the web, looking for new websites, pages, and content.
2. Indexing
Once a page is crawled, the search engine analyzes its content and stores it in a massive database called an “index.” The index is essentially a library of all the web pages that the search engine has discovered. When you perform a search, the search engine looks for matching pages in its index, not the entire web.
3. Ranking
Ranking is the process of determining the order in which the search results are displayed. When you perform a search, the search engine’s algorithm sorts through the millions of pages in its index and returns the most relevant results. The algorithm uses hundreds of different ranking factors to determine the relevance and quality of a page, including:
- Keywords: The words and phrases that people use to search for information.
- Content Quality: The depth, accuracy, and originality of the content.
- Backlinks: Links from other websites, which act as a vote of confidence.
- User Experience: How easy it is for users to navigate and find what they’re looking for.
Understanding these three core functions is the first step to developing an effective SEO strategy in Nepal. By making it easy for search engines to crawl, index, and understand your content, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in the search results.
