Yandex Search Engine Ranking Factors Leaked & Revealed

SEO SPECIALIST

Amber Flores

February 6, 2023

Read time:

11 Minutes

What you'll learn?

Yandex Search Engine Ranking Factors Leaked & Revealed

It’s been one of the most widely discussed questions in the SEO community for years. What are the ranking factors for Yandex? Well, as it turns out, we don’t have to wonder about that anymore.

One of its employees recently leaked that Yandex’s ranking options are based on these 20 ranking factors, which were just revealed. If you want to know what they are and how Yandex is optimizing your site for them, you’ll surely want to read this article. Let’s discuss together these link-related factors.

Here is the list of the ranking factors of search engines:

#1. Age of links are ranking factors

Yandex is going to use the age of your links as ranking factor. So, the longer it has been created, the higher it will be considered in relation to other sites.

Yandex, the leading Russian search engine, has an age of links factor regarding its ranking algorithm. Yandex evaluates the most recent links and updates its search engine ranking for indexed pages.

Yandex’s algorithm puts higher weight on new or recently changed pages or sites than google’s ranking factors. Interestingly, Yandex has also included the age of links factor in its source code (the Yaca classifier).

While Yandex is drastically different from Google in a few areas, this factor seems to overlap and can bring similarities between the two top competitors. Understanding Yandex’s age of links parameter helps SEO professionals optimize the users’ experience more efficiently than ever before.

#2. Traffic and % of organic traffic are ranking factors

Yandex will consider the traffic coming and going from your site. The more traffic your site gets, the higher it’ll be in the search results. Also, the higher percentage of organic traffic received on your site means a ranking boost.

With data recently sourced from Yandex’s leaked source code, it has become evident that traffic and organic share are high-ranking factors regarding platform performance. When this code leak first came to light, SEO professionals had long discussed and investigated the implications of such data.

While opinions were initially divided on how much this data was disclosed and what it actually meant, the data released has enabled various tools and software solutions providers to develop solutions taking traffic into account. This data will enable businesses to effectively target and strategize their content in an effort to amplify visibility.

#3. Numbers in URLs are bad for rankings

Matt Cutts also stated a while ago that Yandex would penalize you if you have numbers in your URL. So, it’s better to avoid that.

Having numbers in your website’s URLs can significantly affect the data and platform performance. According to the search engine journal, large internet search engines generally don’t crawl pages with numbers as a part of their URL and might recognize them as dynamic parameters instead of helpful content for users.

This can hurt rankings on search engine results pages, making them less visible to potential visitors. If you want your website to perform well on search engine pages, it is best practice to avoid including any numbers in your URLs.

# 4. A lot of slashes in URLs are bad for ranking

It’s not allowed to put a lot of slashes in the URLs of your site because Yandex will consider that an aggressive action. Because of that, it may lower your ranking position.

# 5. Hard pessimization equal PR=0

If you find it difficult to rank in the SERP of Yandex, then it’s a good idea to optimize your site for the possibility of being hard optimized. All the more if you have hard optimization.

With Yandex’s recent source code revelation, data, and platform performance have been brought to the forefront, with companies desperately trying to anticipate any lingering effects on their traffic and user engagement. It seems hard pessimization equals public relation disaster as companies aggressively try to control their search engine result page (SERP) data.

The data leakage could cause some SERPs to see decreases in click rate and conversions, potentially leading to decreased revenue. But while hindsight is 20/20, understanding Yandex’s code leak will help data analysts and SEO professionals plan ahead for similar scenarios in the future.

# 6. Host reliability affects ranking factors

Just like Google or Bing, Yandex is considering the reliability of your host for ranking factors. The higher your host’s reliability, the higher your ranking will be from Yandex.

# 7. Fun fact - there are separate ranking factors for uplifting Wikipedia

This is according to Yandex’s CEO and co-founder. So, he believes that if you are linked to Wikipedia, you’ll have a higher ranking in Yandex.

# 8. A lot of ranking factors connected with user behavior - CTR, last-click, time on site, bounce rate

We have these things in common with the other search engines, but Yandex also considers them.

# 9. Document age and last update both are ranking factors

The older the document is, and the more times it has been updated, the more chance it has of getting a high ranking. And, you guessed it, helps with ranking factors.

# 10. Average domain position across all queries play a roll in ranking factors

If you want to rank well in Yandex, then you’ll have to know the average position of your site in the SERP across all queries. So, when competing with other sites, you’ll know what to expect from average domain ranking.

# 11. Special ranking factors for short videos - Tiktok, shorts, reels

The rankings of short videos in Yandex’s search engine are very strange. It’s believed that the longer the video is, the better chance you have of ranking well in Yandex search engines for ranking factors.

# 12. Keywords in your URL help ranking factors

As we can see from the description – the optimal would be to include up to 3 words from the search query. It affects the ranking algorithm for sure during search queries.

# 13. If your backlinks' anchors contain all words from the keywords - it's good for SEO

Links to sites that contain all the keywords requestor is looking for are considered optimal. It will affect google SEO and Yandex’s search algorithm as well. If it is in one link – it’s more beneficial especially if the order of words is the same.

# 14. Ratio "good" vs "bad" backlinks is a ranking factor

A good way to determine if you have bad links is to compare them with the number of overall links. So, if you have fewer bad backlinks than good ones, then you are fine. It is one of the key ranking factors.

Unfortunately not clarified what exactly it means to be a “good” backlink, but it’s pretty clear.

# 15. The quality rank of texts on the domain is a ranking factor

The quality of texts in the domain is a very important ranking signal. Webmasters should write unique content and links in the anchor text and use the keyword in the domain to attract unique visitors and search-driven traffic.

Pages with low-quality content affect the entire domain and are important search ranking factors.

# 16. Funny, there is a random as a separate ranking factor

If you find it funny and interesting, you’ll get a high ranking in Yandex search ranking factors.
When you don’t understand why some of the pages are on top – it could be random—test behavior factors of Russian tech giant Yandex.

# 17. JS from Google Analytics is a ranking factor

If you are using Google Analytics on your site, then Yandex will consider that. So, it’s better to use a different solution here.

Predictably. Good websites use GA more often than bad websites.

# 18. Advertisements play an integral role in ranking factors

Surprisingly, a big site with lots of ads will get higher rankings especially if the site is not that popular.

Less = better.

# 19. Backlinks from the top 100 best websites by PageRank impacts on rankings

Those sites are highly ranked for PR, and Yandex’s engine favors pages clearly have a better impact on your site – it’ll be higher in the SERP in relationship to others.

# 20. Verified accounts on social networks rank differently from other URLs

Yandex is a modern search engine that checks social accounts to see whether they are real or fake. If they are verified, it’ll be clear that it is an author’s page, and that page will rank higher and get unique visitors, enabling a search engine to rank it higher.

Tip: Important for brand searches – ideally searching your brand, there should be only your domains + verified social networks in the top 10.

Conclusion

So, we now know how Yandex services are used for different ranking signals. We also see why some of the signals are because they consider themselves Google and Bing search engines. We have discussed 20 and revealed critical ranking factors for more information.

However, we must remember that those algorithms are imperfect and can be improved with time. So the next time you want to optimize your site for a new factor – I hope you will do it properly.

Is your website stuck at the bottom of search engine rankings?

Nation Media specializes in SEO optimization for websites and knows a thing or two about gaining an edge over your competition. Our expansive knowledge covers important ranking factors such as important pages, reliable servers, and optimizing specific SEO terms to help your website stand out from all the rest.

We also provide industry-leading digital marketing insights for a modern presence online. Let us help you determine if your website is ranking and understand the proper factors that go into ensuring successful web results so you can compete effectively with others in the same business.

Talk to us today to get started!

👍 Nation Medias Helpful Hint...

Learn more…

FAQs

How do you become relevant in my market?

Through optimized search engine rankings. Nation Media Design services ensure that you show up exactly when you're needed.

What is Digital Advertising?

Digital advertising has become even more of a necessity than physical advertising, with customers seeking home services help online. When targeted to the right people as part of your marketing plan, digital advertising can raise brand awareness, boost growth, and provide a roadmap to marketing efforts.

How does content marketing support digital marketing?

Content marketing is a long-term, long-lasting marketing strategy that requires solid SEO simultaneously. Unfortunately, some teams may not see its value or know how to measure it. That's why this is one of the most asked marketing questions. But excellent content marketing supports all your other digital marketing strategies. For example, when you align your content and SEO strategy with PPC (using our sexy swivel table!), you can unlock significant benefits in both organic and paid media channels. Digital Marketing Agency in Virginia

What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing encompasses all forms of advertising and marketing using the internet, from search engine optimization (SEO) to content marketing, social media and more.

Can digital marketing increase online sales?

Absolutely! The goal of digital marketing is to improve website traffic and online conversions, thus helping you reach your overall business goals. If you’d like to ultimately increase online sales, we would recommend a variety of tactics to reach this goal. These may range from UX research and conversion rate optimization to advanced product schema to social media. When we’re developing a campaign for a client, we get to know their business and objectives, then propose plans to align with those goals.

What is Search Engine Optimization?

Search Engine Optimization, known less formally as SEO in the marketing world, is one of the main ways your website is ranked in answer to search engine inquiries. When you use specific keywords on your site, search engines like Google target those keywords and rank you higher according to the information being sought.Digital Marketing Agency in Virginia

Do You Need to Worry About Social Media For Marketing?

Social media provides a unique platform to actively engage with current and potential clients and build trust and loyalty. Many business owners have joined social media to create ads and engaging posts to promote their companies and spread brand awareness.

Why do I need marketing?

Word-of-mouth is no longer effective as the only means of advertising. With the world moving towards a digital market, business owners need to be aggressive about getting their name out there and in front of the local customers that can turn into clients of their business.

What are keywords?

Keywords are the words and phrases that searchers use- usually on a search engine. These are the words that we use when looking for pages, images, videos, blogs, any kind of information or content on the web really. These keywords need to be strategically inserted into your pages and content.

How often should I update my website?

A website that sits stagnant for long periods of time, without any new or fresh content, is nothing more that an online brochure for your company. A successful website will interact with consumers and provide new and up to date information and content. Also, in terms of SEO, Google much prefers a website that is consistently updated. There's no specific time limit on updating your website, just make sure it stays relevant.

How often should I post a blog or post on social media?

Facebook? Aim for once a day and definitely no less than 3 times a week.
Instagram? Once or twice a day.
LinkedIn? At least twice a week and no more than once per day.
Twitter? This one is a bit more varied but generally anywhere from 3-30 tweets per day is good.

Is email marketing still effective?

Definitely! You should never assume that because social media has become so hugely popular, that it’s enough to solely focus your digital marketing strategy on social platforms. There are more active email accounts than active accounts on any social media in the world. Email marketing is more private and often feels more personal to the consumer. Most people are consistently tuned into their email, checking it multiple times a day and constantly seeing notifications appear on their mobiles, laptops and tablets.

Do I need an email newsletter?

It’s wise to send regular updates your subscribers with news of new content, new products (or improvements), events, and so forth. It’s not wise to expect your email list to expand fast simply by offering a newsletter.

Should I buy an email list?

Please don’t. Bought email lists are just a way for you to SPAM random members of the public. Grow your email list organically through subscription buttons and calls to action. This way, you are not only protecting your company’s reputation but also spending your time and money on an email campaign geared towards genuine prospects who have asked you to contact them.

What KPIs should I be tracking, and how?

Your business goals and the source/medium you choose to convey your message will determine what KPIs (key performance indicators) measure digital marketing success.

For example, if your goal is to increase the number of visitors that convert to leads on your blog, then you would want to track blog sessions and resulting lead forms and/or clicks-to-call. The KPI you care about may vary based on your role in the company and who you report to.

What does “conversion” mean in digital marketing?

Speaking of KPIs, does it seem like everyone defines “conversion” differently? Some companies (or single departments within) may differentiate between a website conversion – like a contact form completion – and a sales conversion, which is a successful sale that occurs after a website conversion. In our agency’s experience, companies commonly call sales-oriented website actions conversions, and they call sales, sales. However you want to talk about it, just make sure your internal team and vendors are on the same page.

What is conversion rate optimization?

Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is the process of increasing the percentage of conversions from your digital property, typically a web page. CRO involves executing tactics to improve the elements on your site (or app) through testing. Relative to your marketing funnel, CRO focuses on moving prospects to the next stage.

How do I differentiate my brand?

The simple answer to this complex question is to create value. You need to identify and communicate a promise to your customers that resonates on an emotional level. Start with this question: How can we improve the lives of those we serve?

What does Google Analytics do for me?

Google Analytics is a free website analytics platform that gives you insights into how users find and use your website. With Google Analytics, you can track ROI for your online marketing and review important metrics to make informed decisions. The bulk of Google Analytics categorizes data into acquisition, behavior and conversions.

What should I measure?

A practical approach to marketing metrics should include establishing which key performance indicators (KPIs) are most important for the growth of your brand. As a starting point, consider metrics that reflect your progress regarding traffic generation, conversion, and marketing costs and create a dashboard to track them monthly.

Best Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in VirginiaBest Digital Marketing Agency in Virginia

Revenue Driven for our clients

Dentists

Law Firms

Non-Profit

Plumbers

Mechanics

HVAC

Franchises

Multi-Locations

SEO helps your business grow revenue 🤑

How can we help your business grow?

SEOGain More Revenue

Gain More Revenue

SOCIAL MEDIAGrow Your Brand

Grow Your Brand

VIDEOShare Your Story

Share Your Story

WEB DESIGNConvert More Leads

Convert More Leads

Yandex Search Engine Ranking Factors Leaked & Revealed

Read time:

What you'll learn?

#1. Age of links are ranking factors

#2. Traffic and % of organic traffic are ranking factors

#3. Numbers in URLs are bad for rankings

# 4. A lot of slashes in URLs are bad for ranking

# 5. Hard pessimization equal PR=0

# 6. Host reliability affects ranking factors

# 7. Fun fact - there are separate ranking factors for uplifting Wikipedia

# 8. A lot of ranking factors connected with user behavior - CTR, last-click, time on site, bounce rate

# 9. Document age and last update both are ranking factors

# 10. Average domain position across all queries play a roll in ranking factors

# 11. Special ranking factors for short videos - Tiktok, shorts, reels

# 12. Keywords in your URL help ranking factors

# 13. If your backlinks' anchors contain all words from the keywords - it's good for SEO

# 14. Ratio "good" vs "bad" backlinks is a ranking factor

# 15. The quality rank of texts on the domain is a ranking factor

# 16. Funny, there is a random as a separate ranking factor

# 17. JS from Google Analytics is a ranking factor

# 18. Advertisements play an integral role in ranking factors

# 19. Backlinks from the top 100 best websites by PageRank impacts on rankings

# 20. Verified accounts on social networks rank differently from other URLs

Conclusion

Is your website stuck at the bottom of search engine rankings?

👍 Nation Medias Helpful Hint...

Table of contents

Learn more…

FAQs

We've driven over $35,000,000 million in high ticket leads for clients. Discover how we can help your business grow. Interested? Schedule a strategy call.

616-888-5050

Ready to speak with a marketing expert? Give us a ring!

Our Locations

Follow Us In Social Media

We've driven over 5,256 leads for clients just in the past year. Discover how we can help your business grow. Interested? Schedule a strategy call.

616-888-5050

Ready to speak with a marketing expert? Give us a ring

Our Locations

Awards

Get our FREE Local SEO guide EBOOK!

Ready to grow your business? Talk to Kaleb Nation within a day!

SEO
Gain More Revenue

SOCIAL MEDIA
Grow Your Brand

VIDEO
Share Your Story

WEB DESIGN
Convert More Leads

We've driven over $35,000,000 million in high ticket leads for clients. Discover how we can help your business grow.

Interested?
Schedule a strategy call.

Ready to speak with a marketing expert?
Give us a ring!

We've driven over 5,256 leads for clients just in the past year. Discover how we can help your business grow.

Interested?
Schedule a strategy call.

Ready to speak with a marketing expert?
Give us a ring

Ready to grow your business?
Talk to Kaleb Nation within a day!