How influential do you think user behavior is in the algorithm?
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I'm one of the guys out there that is super focused on user behavior right now. I think with the implementation of different things such as the block feature and +1, it points to the fact that Google is putting a lot more power in the users.
How influential do you think factors such as bounce rate, CTR, time on site, and other user behavior metrics are in the algo?
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I bet the ranch on user behavior in 2005.
I think that links are still valuable. However, I think that data from social sites, domain queries, domain mentions and visitor behavior are becoming more important. With that growing importance in these other metrics, links should be a depreciating asset.
If google uses links and on-page signals to rank a website - those can all be manipulated by webmasters and SEOs. That means that SEOs can "own google". However, once most of google's signal is coming from these "invisible metrics" then google takes back control.
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