Latent Semantic Analysis

The principles of LSI in determining content of web-pages, was first used by a small company called Oingo. Later renamed Applied Semantics, they developed a search system for determining the relevance of page content for specific advert placement, and called this Adsense. This was bought by Google in April, 2003 and used for replacing their system which was still developing. Adsense was not developed by Google, but purchased, and a good bargain at that.

However, a general opinion of the LSI is slightly off-mark. Instead of thinking it to be just an algorithm screwed on to the search engine, this could be better understood as a concept. Tie in the phrase ‘Artificial Intelligence’ to the LSI, and we see this in better light.

When we search for Tiger Woods, the search will not result in putting forth pages related to the keywords ‘tiger’ and ‘woods’; instead what we get is what we call ‘relevance feedback.’  This search will present a number of pages relating to golf. LSI is the most potent tool available for the search engines, as of now.

The LSI enabled search platforms are most effective and able to make better sense since they do not just focus on a bunch of keywords. Conventional search engines were unable to give good results since they were basing results only on ‘keywords’ analysis.

This was the reason they were unable to tell the difference between:

• Similar words but with different meanings – and we have a whole lot of them.
• Words similar in meaning, but spelled differently – sickness/vomiting.
• Singular and plural forms of words – dice/die, man/men.
• Branches of words from the same root – like ‘bath’, ‘bathe’, ‘bathing’, or ‘bathed.’

LSI is different, a kind of ‘Artificial Intelligence’ really. Looking at the speed and number of web-pages being added on the net everyday, it definitely is a challenging task for any search engine to provide an ideal search result.

The fact is that LSI is able to fit in this slot of search process, widely & wisely capable of enhancing the qualities of any search engine using LSI.

In order to maximize visibility, translations and local language considerations must be taken into account along with SEO. Local language keywords must be well researched for volume and relevance together with translations targeting local markets. These local language keywords and other language specific words must be properly embedded in the web page code and properly displayed on the page. Registration of the web-site on local search engines should be done and local links must be identified and secured as well. A local address might also be useful, and in some cases essential.

Certain principles are common, and constant to a search, no matter where we put them. Some tactics may become specific for certain search engines, but traditional SEO within the U.S. translates well into the international scene. The landscape and players may be foreign, but the games don’t change.

The Google Spin

The fact is that Google inside America, with a 58 percent market share, is extremely capable of influencing how and why we optimize. In reality Google is also able to set guidelines that other search engines may follow.

Now, imagine this scenario, without the Google? Will it not be essential that we understand the intricacies involved in the way other search engines operate.

Local Contact

Similarly, foreign search engines like Baidu have a 60 percent market share in China, Yandex inside Russia is equally strong. Le moteur in French, 123Bin of Germany, and more from so many other nations all do well in their specific regions. Google and Yahoo are only able to follow them, or are far behind.

Our optimization strategies therefore need to change when we are doing this for a client in Japan. What works for Google need not necessarily fit for Baidu, or Yandex.

Especially in off-page SEO we need to understand the specific requirements of the region and the regional search engines. Apart from on-page content, titles and meta-tags understanding the ranking processes and procedures of specific search engines – and things unique to the region would not only be helpful, but also essentially required.

If a good SEO copywriting can do wonders for the site, a bad or misfit job can be destructive. It would then be right to understand the inadequacies that may prove harmful in fulfilling the job requirement. It would be proper to pay attention to the following weaknesses.

• In case our analysis proves inadequate for competitive search terms it would not be able to fulfill what we intend to seek with our copywriting. The technique only works for non-competitive search terms. This will not work for terns like – automobiles, hotels, resorts, or mobiles.
• Check on the requirements of the site. Like, some sites are graphic oriented, or multimedia and no amount of copywriting skills would be helpful. It may even harm the existing structure of the site.
• The cost and time factor must be taken into account. Since copywriting is expensive and time consuming, this would be ideal for high budget sites and who have enough time to go to the market.
• There is always this risk factor lurking behind. What if the rankings improve and stay on the top before once again slumping down. This will hurt much more when you find other sites doing well without investing much money, or time.

It would be proper to keep these in mind before beginning work on any web-site.