How Co-Citation Affects Your Search Engine Rankings?

Co-citation is an important search engine ranking factor that few experts understand. In fact, the effect is often overlooked by a search engine marketing expert. But, what is co-citation and how can it influence your search engine rankings?

The best way to explain this concept is through an example: Suppose web sites A, B, and C all link to sites P, Q, and R. Even though sites P, Q, and R do not link to each other, most search engines think that they are related to each other because A, B and C all link to them. If P and Q are linked by many other sites, they have a very strong relationship, and hence they are said to be related through co-citation.

How Co-Citation effect Search Engine Rankings?

Co-Citation can affect search engine rankings in a positive and negative way. For example, you have website selling laptops. If you get listed on a site that also links to Viagra sites or gambling sites then search engines may presume that your site is related to gambling or prescription medicines. This means that your site will struggle to get high rankings for search terms related to laptops.

It is very important to get good co-citations. The only way is to back link to sites that are related to your site. If your web site is listed in the "laptop" category of a genuine link directory, this means that search engines will think that your site is related to laptops. Thus, your site can get higher rankings for search terms about laptops.

Focus on Your Link Campaigns:

Most search engine marketing consulting experts will suggest you to focus on good link campaigns. Exchanging links with other sites ensure that your link is on a page that lists related links. Most SEM consulting experts suggest that acquiring a link from a directory page can be a great way to get good co-citation. This is because the other links on that page are all related to "laptops".