There's a new system that's shaking up how websites garner search engine ranking. The former quick ways of keyword stuffing, link farming and so on are no longer the best route to go. Latent Semantic Indexing is changing the way searches happen. As a result, this new system is also altering the necessary strategies for getting traffic and ranking. Google is behind the creation of latent semantic indexing. This system, which basically means hidden meaning indexing, was designed to enable the search engine to better scan pages for their overall themes. It boils down to being a system that offers a more sophisticated way for the search engine to measure sites for their relevance in regard to individual searches. While latent semantic indexing doesn't require a complete redo of websites, it does mean that webmasters who focus on high quality content are more likely to get ahead.

The history of latent semantic indexing is a continuation of Google's mission to make its search engine produce relevant, high-quality results. The initial ranking system relied heavily on incoming links and keywords alone to scan pages for their relevancy in regard to searches. Unfortunately, this system had a propensity to penalize some very good and relevant sites. It would overlook sites that were too new or added content too quickly. Although there are plenty of new sites that aren't necessarily loaded with good content, some are.

Google wanted a better way, and it was found. Latent semantic indexing is meant to scan the overall theme of a site so as not to penalize those sites that have fresh, relevant and good content even if they do happen to pop up over night.

Under latent semantic indexing, sites that want to gain ranking need to make sure they have content that's fresh, updated, keyword rich and relevant. The system is meant to give those who use keyword searches pages that better represent what it is they were looking for instead of those that happen to have bunches of incoming links. All in all, the system is a more fair way of measuring what's on the Internet in regard to relevancy and quality. It also fits Google's mission better.

The days of Google placing a bigger emphasis on incoming links or votes to rank sites for searches are coming to a close. Although incoming links will still be important, particularly if two sites tie on a search, these links don't carry the same weight. This simply makes it easier for webmasters who do their jobs well to gain opportunity for ranking.

What all of this means to web publishers is that those who have done and continue to do their jobs correctly will have a better chance of shining with latent semantic indexing. Those who keyword stuff, create nonsensical content and spend a lot of time using link farms likely will not.

The key to getting ahead in the new age of Google search falls on quality. Sites that provide useful and relevant information in regard to their content will be likely to do better on searches. Those that cut corners could find themselves at the bottom of the search totem pole.