Is co-citation a Google search ranking factor? Do you want to optimize the co-citation strategy for Google search ranking? Can co-citation influence rankings?
SEOs believe that co-citation is a ranking factor. It is known as a long-time link-building strategy in which a webmaster cites two different sites from one page. It is often confused with co-occurrence.
SEO experts have been building links for two or more clients from one website using this strategy.
But does co-citation impact your Google search position? Let's find out.
Let's understand everything about co-citation and its impact on search.
Co-Citation:
Co-citation is the way to publish or source two different documents or articles from the existing content or newly published content.
For example, when a webmaster publishes an article about real estate in New York and cites different real estate companies in that article, it is called co-citation.
There can be a delay in getting your website cited in an existing article.
Claim: Co-Citation is a Google Ranking Factor
The earliest existence of co-citation was found in 2006 when Jim Boykin published his co-citation understanding document. He defined co-citation, where A and B documents are cited by C. He also explained how to make the citation strong and impactful.
Co-citation is helpful in adding relevance, trust, and reputation to search queries.
But is it a ranking signal? Let's find out.
Evidence: Co-Citations a Google Search Ranking Factor
In 2014, Bill Slawski and Rand Fishkin discussed on Twitter the connection and differences between co-citation and co-occurrence.
The most common citations come from academics, Wikipedia, and research papers, where most of the resources are cited. Case studies, books, and publisher resources get the maximum number of citations.
Marketers have been working hard to get content cited. SEOs use co-citations to build links, and Google has also empowered its algorithms with BERT, HummingBird, and RabkBrain.
Now, search engines understand the connection and differences between co-citation and co-occurrence. Google knows when and why webmasters cite a resource, and it is easy to identify link schemes.
Citation has been part of the news world since the 1900s.
Evidence: Co-Citations a Google Search Ranking Factor
Co-citation is an excellent way to gain authority when links come naturally. Google quickly identifies link manipulation practices.
In 2021, John Muller stated that buying links or link schemes is against Google's policies. Google not only acts against sites selling links but also hurts sites buying links.
Google has always been against link-building practices, yet SEOs work to do them in one way or another.
Conclusion: Co-Citation is Somehow a Google Search Ranking Factor
Co-citation is complicated when it comes to ranking better in search results. If citations are natural, they bring benefits.
However, citations from low-quality sites or link submission sites can hurt rankings.
Link citations empower academic documents and Wikipedia. Those links also have some weight-age over low-quality links.
Understand Google's indexing and ranking algorithms. It is best to avoid link manipulation.
Create link-worthy content to earn citations.
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