Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) And SEO
Indexing has always been perceived as a highly focused science. When you submit a search on Google the pages displayed are generally optimised towards that exact word or term. However, in their continuous effort to deliver the most relevant genuinely useful information, Google has introduced the latent semantic indexing (LSI) into their algorithms.
What is LSI?
LSI has made Google search almost like us in its way of reasoning. Google LSI is a unique indexing method that generates results, based on the theme of the site, instead of depending on keywords or phrases of a page.
Why Search Engines Might Adopt Latent Semantic Indexing
Predictable form of "keyword indexing" means unorthodox SEO techniques can easily be implemented. Search engines can be tricked into ranking a site highly by using the set formula. Originally, planting a page with a chosen keyword or set of keywords ensured a high rank for that search term. Algorithms that followed placed more emphasis on a websites link profile than its keyword density. This created a rush to seek reciprocal links, again making it possible to manipulate the search engine spiders.
Link exchange was made history as Google along with Yahoo and MSN placed less credibility on a reciprocal link like they did to a one-way inbound link. Latent Semantic Indexing is another innovative method introduced by Google, in an attempt to make their result pages appear filled with natural content.
The Effects
LSI has influenced changes made in the search engine result pages. Sites that enjoyed higher rankings before through keyword optimisation are now sliding down in their rankings. Pages with a diverse portfolio of inbound links from relevant and informative sites have benefited. These pages now appear for search terms to which they had not previously performed.
Introduction of LSI has shed new light on professional SEO. With further improvements of LSI, writing keyword optimised web copy and old link building methods will fast become an obsolete practice. The field of SEO has almost certainly changed. New techniques that incorporate LSI algorithms will have to be adopted.
Writing Content For LSI
In theory any webpage copy optimised exclusively for Google, will be naturally written and worded. When we write we impulsively include the suitable keyword in our text. To avoid repetition (keyword optimisation) we would use similar words to these keywords with the same or very similar meaning. We obviously include the plural or singular form of a keyword as well as different tenses and a number of different offshoots of that keyword. With LSI algorithms this is all good news.
Your Link Profile
A link profile with thousands of links with the same anchor (keyword) text will soon be history. There's no cause for alarm if this is all you’ve got. Improve your link profile by looking to get links on relevant and comparable terms and use these as your anchor text.
What LSI Offers Web Searchers
For end users, LSI offers some unique advantages over its previous form of indexing. LSI recognizes that the word "engine" in "search engine optimisation" does not refer to searches for terms like "steam engine" or "train engine" but is referring to Internet marketing topics. Hypothetically speaking LSI results give a more accurate page of results while suggesting a broader range of similar pages for a particular topic.
Where Google Leads, Others Generally Follow
It is no secret that Google is the pioneering leader of latent semantic indexing. Always totally focussed on generating results pages that are filled with genuine, useful results, with LSI Google certainly has added another string in their bow. At least for now, the other two big players (Yahoo & MSN) seem happy to continue with keyword specific indexing. However it is known that Yahoo looks at singular and plural keyword variations as well as keyword stemming when judging keyword density.
The Effect On Your Website
How all this affects the individual Webmaster is dependent on current practices of promoting his or her site. However now you can face the new generation of Google’s smart crawlers with confidence, by incorporating these key elements: -Natural content,
Keywords and keyword alternative, Diversified link profile for a number of related keywords.