The methodology of our Scientific and Field Testing for Ranking Factors in Google
There is a lot of talk about whether SEO concepts are hearsay (or should that be herecy), or proven by some form of scientific testing. More worryingly though, it seems to be an emerging trend for some SEO Influencers to claim that their ‘findings’ are as a result of their testing, yet are unable to validate that testing, if or when asked. This is why this document is being published. It is to clearly outline the methodologies behind our own internal testing, whether scientific or ‘in-the-field’ testing. By publishing our strategies and thinking, it is then easier for any person to understand our approach, and then decide on how much validity to assign to our SEO statements. An Up-front Disclaimer There are two common categorisations of testing environments. These are scientific testing, such as Single Variable Testing (SVT), and/or In-the-field testing. The scientific testing is performed as much as possible under controlled measure, as...