Google’s algorithms are a set of rules on which search engines work to show users the most reliable and relevant results. Not only are several new algorithms added to Google’s set of algorithms every year, but these algorithms are constantly being updated and changed. For example, the hilltop algorithm, as one of the oldest Google algorithms introduced in 2003 and implemented in 2004, is still one of Google’s basic algorithms today after 19 years that all SEO experts should be familiar with.
we cover this topics on this article
What is Hilltop’s algorithm?
What is PageRank algorithm?
Difference between Page Rank algorithm and Hilltop algorithm
Introducing Expert and Authoritative Pages
How does hilltop algorithm work?
The effect of Hilltop algorithm on SEO in the past
Hilltop algorithm in today’s SEO
How to optimize your website for Hilltop algorithm?
What is Hilltop’s algorithm?
The Hilltop algorithm is one of Google’s most important search engine algorithms that was able to have a significant impact on google search engine results. Although stronger and more advanced algorithms have been developed after that, the concepts of Hilltop algorithm are still used in seo. The purpose of this algorithm was to identify reference websites and reputable directories that introduced sites related to a particular topic, and Google also gave special value and credibility to these pages, and if a site was approved as a reference site, it had a great chance of being in the top rankings of search results.
The Hilltop algorithm is in line with page rank algorithm. So let’s tell you what the Page Rank algorithm is before we go into the details of the Hilltop algorithm?
What is pageRank algorithm?
In summary, page rank algorithm works by measuring the importance of a page according to the number and quality of the links given to that page. Page Rank, of course, is not the only algorithm used to measure the importance of pages in search engines.
Difference between Page Rank algorithm and Hilltop algorithm
As mentioned above, Hilltop and Page Rank algorithms are algorithms based on external links. But the difference is that page rank algorithm identifies the score of a page based on all the links on the web to that page, while the Hilltop algorithm only takes into account the links from reference pages or expert to a given page. In other words, the Hilltop algorithm focuses only on reference sites instead of taking into account the entire links on the web.
Introducing Expert and Authoritative Pages
Before familiarizing yourself with how the Hilltop algorithm works, it is necessary to be familiar with the definition of two main concepts in Google’s Hilltop algorithm: expert pages and authoritative pages, pages about a particular topic in which there are several links to other domains. Valid pages are those linked to them from reference pages, which is why Google identifies them as valid.
How does hilltop algorithm work?
As mentioned above, the Hilltop algorithm works together with pageRank algorithm to identify valid and specialized pages. In this way, it first identifies the reference pages and then identifies the pages that are linked to them from the reference domains and ranks them for their validity.
The effect of Hilltop algorithm on SEO in the past
The Hilltop algorithm was introduced in 2003 and implemented in 2004. At the time the most obvious strategy was for small sites to improve their ranking on the search engine results page, on large and reference sites like Yahoo, Dmoz, Wikipedia, etc. For their site to build links to grow their pages according to the Hilltop algorithm.
Another way to grow the site with the help of the Hilltop algorithm by Black Hat SEOkaran was to create different directories with dedicated IPs (to hide the main site’s connection to these directories). This method is the same as the PBN method that many SEO experts may use. But it’s good to know that Google will definitely penalize your site if you find the PBN network connection with the site.
Hilltop algorithm in today’s SEO
The Hiletap algorithm has been no longer functioning for years, meaning it gives no specific credibility to the sites linked to them in the directories, but it added an important concept to the SEO world, which is nothing but page credentials or Page Authority. Page authentication is a measure of the importance of that page to Google, which is one of the most important factors influencing how to link.
Read more: “Introducing Modern SEO Techniques in 2022“
How to optimize your website for Hilltop algorithm?
As mentioned above, everything goes back to link building, having a basic link-building strategy is one of the most important parts of modern SEO. We recommend that you pay attention to these points when formulating your external link building strategy:
Find reputable sites and most importantly related to the scope of the site.
If you want to increase the credibility of your site pages with external link building, you need to collect a list of valid domains related to your field of work. Link building on domains that don’t have a thematic connection to your site is worthless to Google, even if they are built on a site with high credibility.
Create natural links.
If all the links you create for your site are on domains with very high credibility, google is suspicious and unnatural. So it’s best to do link building on lower-credit sites to show that your link building is normal.
Monitor the link building of your competitors.
Analyzing competitors is one of the most important tasks of a SEO expert. You can monitor your competitors’ external linking strategy using various tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs. Your competitors may have done links on domains that are hidden from your eyes. So by analyzing the link building of competing sites, you can find new domains for your link building. Don’t forget the domain’s thematic connection with your site.