Algorithm

An algorithm, when we talk about search engines, is the system of rules and calculations that decides which pages appear in the results and in what order. Google, for example, does not look at just one element of a page. Instead, it considers hundreds of signals such as the words on the page, how quickly it loads, the quality of links pointing to it, and how users interact with the site. Each of these signals is processed by the algorithm to build a ranking of results that should match what the user is searching for.

One important point is that algorithms are not fixed. Google updates its algorithm thousands of times a year, sometimes in small ways that go unnoticed, and sometimes with major updates that shift entire industries. These changes are designed to make results more useful and to prevent websites from manipulating the system. For example, a few years ago, keyword stuffing or buying thousands of backlinks could artificially boost a page. Today, those same tactics often lead to penalties because the algorithm has become smarter at spotting manipulation.

For anyone working on a website, it helps to understand the basics of how algorithms operate. You don’t need to know the technical math behind them, but you should recognize that they are built to reward relevance, quality, and trust. This explains why some websites consistently appear at the top of search results while others struggle to be seen. The safest long-term approach is to create useful content, keep your site technically healthy, and build a reputation through real authority. While algorithms change often,