What Is It?
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) is an algorithm or process used by search engines to determine patterns and relationships between terms, words and concepts contained in a colletion of text. LSI determines what a webpage is about - outside of specifically matching identical words and phrases.
The LSI procedure uses the principle that words used in a similar content to one-another have a similar meanings - LSI has the ability to extract certain conceptual content from the text by establishing associations between the phrases in these similar contexts.
For Example:
An individual's target term may be 'Cake Decoration', and whilst maintaining this as a strong keyword is important, LSI will recognise and consider other phrases such as 'baking', 'mixing', icing' or a combination of specific, related items to your target term.
How Does It Work?
Latent Semantic Indexing utilizes mathematical formulas and principles in order to create an appropriate form of indexing for a website. Obviously, LSI does not have a humane appreciation of definitions and meanings to words and concepts, and therefore must learn by manufacturing a correlation of the concepts within the text.
This means that LSI catagorizes words and phrases and gradually develops and learns a relationship between them.
How Do You Do It?
The word 'Latent' means to be present however not visible, whilst the word 'Semantic' is defined as arising from the different meanings of words or other symbols. With this in mind, one can gather that LSI involves subtly using words and phrases that have a close relationship and definition to your keyword or target term.
LSI does not only gather it's information from one collection of text - it takes into account many different sources such as headings, links - incoming and outgoing - and website names and addresses. LSI can assist in gaining your business a higher ranking on Google, but first you must know your product and the familiar items and words surrounding it.
An Example Of A Website Making Best Use Of LSI -
An Online Floristry Store's main keyword would be 'flowers'.
Upon searching for their wesbite on Google, familiar words and phrases to that of 'flowers' would be found in their heading and URL.
Entering their website, it is important to take note of different concepts, phrases and words that the owners have made use of - without using alterative words for 'flowers'. This is the key component of LSI.
A great way to create a list of these phrases and words is by brainstorming what you think of when considering flowers (or a keyword of your choice), for example - 'Valentines Day', 'Love', 'Birthday', Celebration', 'Wreath', 'Congratulations', 'Delivery', 'Wrapping', 'Cards', 'Wine', 'Chocolates', 'Arrangements', 'Orders', 'Colours', 'Gifts' - the list is truly endless. And these are only words - it is important to arrange these words into phrases, and those phrases into concepts and ideas appropriate to your business and its major keywords.
Why Is It Important To Your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)?
Latent Semantic Indexing can be very benefical to your company's web marketing operations, and SEO activities. It is important to recognise and be aware of your target keyword or keywords, however with Google Australia now making use of LSI it is important to broaden your set of inter-related keywords and phrases. This will will ensure that you and your business are not overlooked in the process of Google ranking.
Creating a list of words, phrases and concepts that are synonymous will assist the LSI process in discovering what your webpage is all about and where it should be ranked in accordance.
My Consulting are more than happy to assist you furthering your opportunities in Search Engine Optimisation, so give Michael a call on 03 9762 2620, and have a chat about your options for Latent Semantic Indexing.
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