Google Clarifies Its Use of Both Page-Level and Site-Wide Ranking Signals

In an updated version of its Search Ranking Systems guide, Google clarifies that it uses both page-level and site-wide signals to determine search rankings. This clears up debate following comments made at the Google Creator Summit, which suggested that Google only used page-level signals.

Here’s the updated statement from Google:

“To understand how to rank individual pages, we use a variety of signals and systems. Our understanding of pages is also influenced by site-wide signals and classifiers. A site with strong site-wide signals does not guarantee that all of its content will rank highly, just as a site with poor site-wide signals does not guarantee that all of its content will rank poorly.“

This update is a part of Google’s attempt to make their ranking systems easier to understand for people who are following the topic closely. It serves to end the confusion and affirm that both types of signals play a role in rankings.

Glenn Gabe recently published an in-depth analysis showing that Google actually has been using site-wide signals for years. So, this new clarification seems to fit right in there with that finding and does provide further evidence that the ranking system is more sophisticated than page-level signals only.

So, whether it’s a strong site-wide signal or a less-than-perfect one, keep in mind that it is not one page but the whole site that contributes to your ranking. This very important update should help end any remaining doubts about how Google treats its ranking systems.