How do you evaluate the relevance and ranking of web pages based on their titles, URLs, and snippets?

1 What is Boolean searching?

Boolean searching is a technique that allows you to combine keywords with operators such as AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR to refine your search query. For example, if you want to find pages that mention both cats and dogs, you can type cats AND dogs in the search box. If you want to find pages that mention either cats or dogs, you can type cats OR dogs. If you want to find pages that mention cats but not dogs, you can type cats NOT dogs. And if you want to find pages that mention cats and dogs within a certain distance of each other, you can type cats NEAR dogs.

2 Why use Boolean searching?

Boolean searching can help you narrow down your search results and find more relevant pages. By using Boolean operators, you can specify exactly what you are looking for and exclude what you are not interested in. This can save you time and effort, as well as improve the quality of your research. Boolean searching can also help you discover new information and connections that you might not have thought of before.

3 How to evaluate titles?

The title of a web page is usually the first thing that catches your eye on the SERP. It is also the main factor that determines whether you click on a link or not. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the title carefully and see if it matches your search query and your information need. A good title should be clear, concise, and descriptive. It should contain the main keywords that you are looking for and summarize the main idea of the page. A bad title should be vague, misleading, or irrelevant. It should not contain words that have nothing to do with your search query or the page content.

4 How to evaluate URLs?

The URL of a web page is the address that shows up in your browser's address bar. It can also give you some clues about the page content and quality. A good URL should be short, simple, and meaningful. It should reflect the structure and hierarchy of the website and the page topic. It should also use words that are easy to read and understand. A bad URL should be long, complex, and cryptic. It should not use numbers, symbols, or random characters that make no sense. It should also not use subdomains or parameters that are irrelevant or confusing.

5 How to evaluate snippets?

The snippet of a web page is the text that appears below the title and URL on the SERP. It is usually a short excerpt from the page content that provides more context and details about the page. A good snippet should be informative, relevant, and enticing. It should highlight the main points or features of the page and show how it relates to your search query. It should also use keywords and phrases that match your search query and your information need. A bad snippet should be boring, irrelevant, or inaccurate. It should not contain information that is outdated, incorrect, or misleading. It should also not use keywords or phrases that are not found on the page or that do not match your search query or your information need.

6 How to compare and rank web pages?

After evaluating the titles, URLs, and snippets of different web pages, it is possible to compare and rank them based on their relevance and quality. Relevance is determined by how well a web page matches your search query and your information need, while quality is based on the reliability, credibility, and usefulness of a web page. To compare and rank web pages effectively, consider their relevance (how well does it address your search query and information need? Does it cover the topic in depth and breadth? Does it answer your questions or solve your problems?), quality (does it come from a reputable source or author? Does it provide evidence or references to support its claims or arguments? Does it have a clear purpose and audience? Is it up-to-date?), and preference (does it suit your personal taste or style? Do you like the format or layout? Are the features or functions useful or annoying?). By applying these criteria, you can rank web pages from the most relevant and high-quality to the least relevant and low-quality so that you can decide which ones to click on, read, or use for your research or project.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?