Google Can’t Read! Master the Rankings with Open Book SEO

Hey there! Caleb Ulku here. Today, I’m going to let you in on a little secret that’s going to change the way you think about SEO. It’s called Open Book SEO, and it starts with a simple realization: Google can’t read.

The Truth About Google’s Algorithm

Now, you might be thinking, “What do you mean Google can’t read? It’s the world’s largest search engine!” But here’s the thing – Google is just an algorithm, just math.

All those hundreds of ranking factors you’ve heard about? They’re really just Google’s way of measuring and quantifying user behavior.

Think about it this way: there are trillions of daily searches on Google. Each of these searches feeds data into Google’s system, telling it exactly what people are looking for when they type something into the search bar.

How Google Learns from User Behavior

Let’s break this down with a couple of scenarios:

1. You search for something, click on a result, spend some time on that site, and then close your browser without returning to the search results. This signals to Google that the page you visited answered your question effectively.
2. You search for something, visit a site, hit the back button, and then search for something slightly different. This tells Google that your initial search didn’t quite hit the mark, and it uses this information to refine its understanding of related searches.

This is why you see those “People also ask” and “Related searches” sections on the results page. Google is constantly learning from user behavior to improve its search results.

The Open Book SEO Approach

So, how can we use this knowledge to our advantage? That’s where Open Book SEO comes in. Here’s how it works:

1. Start with the top results: Whatever keyword you want to rank for, type it into Google. The top results are there because they’re making Google’s users happy. That’s your starting point.
2. Analyze backlinks: Google uses backlinks as a sign of quality. A reputable site won’t link to a low-quality site, so if you get a backlink from a quality site, Google assumes you must have good content too.
3. Use the “People Also Ask” section: This is Google practically shouting at you, “Hey! These are highly relevant questions you should answer in your content!” If you address these questions, Google is more likely to see your content as comprehensive and relevant.
4. Study related keywords: Look at the related searches at the bottom of the page. These give you insight into what else users are looking for when they search for your main keyword.

The Open Book SEO Mindset

The beauty of Open Book SEO is that it’s just like taking an open book exam. All the answers are right there in front of you – you just need to know where to look. Google is showing you exactly what its searchers want to see.

Now, you might have heard about hundreds or even thousands of ranking factors. And yes, Google does look at an incredible amount of data. But here’s the thing: most of these micro-factors just aren’t that important. Our goal is to get the big things right.

Competing in the SEO Game

Remember, with SEO, you’re only competing with other websites trying to rank for the same query. It’s like camping in the woods with your friends when a bear shows up – you don’t need to outrun the bear, you just need to outrun your slowest friend.

Here’s a surprising fact: if you ask a Google search engineer why one URL ranks above another, they often can’t give you a specific answer. It’s not about one particular factor – it’s about which URL serves Google’s searchers better overall. (1)

[Ranking is] not about one particular factor – it’s about which URL serves Google’s searchers better overall.

Putting Open Book SEO into Practice

So, how do you rank for a given search keyword? It’s simple:

1. Look at what’s ranking well
2. Do the same thing, but do it a little bit better

Google doesn’t reward outliers. If every URL on the first page for your target keyword is around 1000 words, writing a 5000-word epic probably won’t help you rank. Similarly, if everyone else has in-depth content and you write 200 words, you’re unlikely to make it to the top.

As John Mueller, a Google search team engineer, once said, “No one needs 2000 words to answer the question ‘What time is the Super Bowl?’” The key is to answer the searcher’s query effectively, not to hit an arbitrary word count.

Google’s Ultimate Goal

Open Book SEO is about understanding what Google’s users want and giving it to them, but just a little bit better than the competition. It’s about looking at the pages that are already ranking well and using them as a guide for your own content strategy.

Remember, Google’s ultimate goal is to make its searchers happy. That’s how it keeps people coming back. By focusing on what’s already working and improving upon it, you’re aligning your strategy with Google’s objectives.

I hope this video has given you a new perspective on SEO. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. I’ll be sure to answer them. And don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or join my AI SEO Mastery community here.

Until next time, happy ranking!

References:

1. Google.com, How Search Works, https://www.google.com/intl/en/search/howsearchworks/how-search-works/ranking-results/