Great content. Glad I subscribed. Can I ask a Google virgin question? Am I right in thinking that when a user enters a search term into Google, the SERP will surface the pages the algorithm thinks are the best PLUS pages owned by people who paid Google money (via AdWords?) for that search term?
Gotcha. I’m a beginner working on a new content site. For now I’m gonna follow the blueprint here and try running ads also but I’ll lean more heavily on non-Google sources. If it fails I figure I’ll have learned enough by then to see the next move.
Great content. Glad I subscribed. Can I ask a Google virgin question? Am I right in thinking that when a user enters a search term into Google, the SERP will surface the pages the algorithm thinks are the best PLUS pages owned by people who paid Google money (via AdWords?) for that search term?
Yes it's a mix of both.
The results that are labeled 'sponsored' are paid for. The organic nonsponsored results are what the algorithm thinks are best.
Got it, thanks 👍
Who are the biggest content site players right now?
There are many.
Digital Brands, Ziff Davis, MOBA Network, Valnet, Pillar4, Red Ventures, many many many others
Is Google running ads to a content site a viable strategy to develop authority?
No. Authority is based on links.
Gotcha. I’m a beginner working on a new content site. For now I’m gonna follow the blueprint here and try running ads also but I’ll lean more heavily on non-Google sources. If it fails I figure I’ll have learned enough by then to see the next move.
Focus hard on a specific niche. Add value. Build an email list. At least with a list you control your audience.