What is the Hilltop algorithm?
The Hilltop algorithm is a search engine algorithm that can rank websites with its unique approach to identifying expert documents. Crafted by Krishna Bharat and George A. Mihăilă, this algorithm works on principle of treating websites like 'experts' on a certain subject based on the context and quality of the inbound and outbound links to the site. By taking a closer look at how this concept unfolds, it's easy to understand its significance in the contemporary digital marketing sphere.
The Hilltop algorithm essentially starts by identifying websites that are experts on a specific subject. This decision is predominantly based on the links going in and out of the site. An expert site, in the eyes of the Hilltop algorithm, is one that has many quality outbound links to relevant pages about a specific topic.
Supplementing this, the algorithm also examines the inbound links from independent sites. If a website has a high number of inbound links from expert sites, it has a higher relevance. Unlike other search algorithms that look at the volume of links, the Hilltop algorithm puts more emphasis on the quality and relevance of the links. It is, therefore, imperative to focus on quality link building for great SEO.
Why is the Hilltop algorithm important?
The Hilltop algorithm is significant in the in the digital space as it brings a shift from the saturation of keyword density to a more comprehensive and strategic ranking system that prioritises quality and relevance. Its implementation marked a shift from simply gathering a large amount of links to focusing on the nature of the links generated, pushing for a more nuanced understanding of SEO.
The algorithm appreciates links coming to a website from relevant places, bringing the concept of link relevancy. This shifts the balance in favor of smaller, less popular sites that have credible and relevant inbound links, keeping the playing field fairer and more competitive. It correctly determines who the true ‘experts’ are within specific industries or subjects.
Moreover, it allows search engines like Google to post more accurate and relevant results, thus creating a better user experience for those conducting searches.
Types of Hilltop algorithm
The Hilltop algorithm doesn’t necessarily have types; instead, it represents a unique technique in the universe of search engine algorithms. Its unrivaled approach sets it apart from others in its category, such as the PageRank Algorithm, BERT, Panda, Penguin, and Hummingbird. Despite that, it’s vital to understand the main components that drive this revolutionary tool – the expert and authority websites.
Examples of Hilltop algorithm
Example 1
Suppose you have a website focused on offering digital marketing courses. Your site will be viewed as an expert if it has numerous quality outbound links to other relevant and highly regarded sites, such as authoritative digital marketing blogs or industry-leading agencies.
Example 2
Imagine you run a niche blog discussing rare bird species. If respected biology or ornithology websites point links to your blog, your site would rank favourably with the Hilltop algorithm.
Example 3
Let’s assume you own a health and fitness website. Your site has valuable links to renowned clinics or hospitals, trusted nutrition sites, professional fitness trainers, and healthcare experts. Hilltop Algorithm would likely identify your page as an expert document.
Handy tips about Hilltop algorithm
Reliable outbound links
Ensure that your website has quality outbound links to authoritative sites in your area to be deemed as an expert document by the algorithm.
Quality over quantity
Don’t just focus on the quantity of links but pay close attention to their relevance and quality.
Focus on inbound links
Strive for genuine inbound links from other expert documents to increase your relevance in search results.
Conclusion
The Hilltop algorithm represents a significant advance in search engine algorithms — focusing on the quality and relevance of links, rather than the quantity, resulting in more accurate search rankings. Its core components, expert and authority websites, generate a field where the balance tilts towards relevance and expertise rather than mere keyword density or link count.
We explored its importance in ensuring more relevant and accurate search results, and discussed how to optimise for it, by focusing on quality and relevancy in both your inbound and outbound links. We also highlighted some examples of its application and provided handy tips to effectively implement it.
By understanding how the Hilltop algorithm operates, SEO professionals, digital marketers, and website owners can formulate strategic SEO plans that combine quality content with a robust and relevant link network, thus helping to improve their search engine ranking.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hilltop algorithm do?
The Hilltop algorithm is a search engine algorithm used by Google to improve the relevance and accuracy of search engine results. It achieves this by analyzing web pages for their inbound and outbound links, and treating the ones with numerous quality links to relevant pages as expert documents.
How does the Hilltop algorithm impact SEO?
The Hilltop algorithm focusses on the quality and relevance of links, which means SEO strategies must focus on building a network of high-quality, relevant inbound and outbound links, rather than simply gathering a large number of links.
Who created the Hilltop algorithm?
The Hilltop algorithm was created by Krishna Bharat and George A. Mihăilă in 1999.
