The Link Graph: How Google Evaluates Connections Between Sites
Imagine you moved to a new city and are looking for a good dentist. If a random passerby recommends one, that's one level of trust. If your best friend recommends one, the level is higher. But if the Chief Medical Officer of the city hospital recommends one, you'll go without hesitation.
Search engines view the internet in the exact same way — as a Link Graph. Every link is a recommendation (a " digital vote " ) confirming the quality of your resource. But in 2024, not all votes are equal.
Learning Supplement
Core Web Vitals and Page Speed
Google measures actual user experience: how fast the page loads, how quickly it becomes interactive, and if layout shifts occur.
Lesson Terms
Case Study Example
A huge banner caused a layout shift (high CLS) when loading. Users misclicked buttons. Fixing the banner size improved user experience and rankings.
Real Life Example
LCP is when the main dish arrives. FID is how fast the waiter responds. CLS is when someone moves your chair as you try to sit.