# The Basics of How Search Engines Work **Last updated:** 2026-09-19 **Source:** https://www.lawrencehitches.com/how-search-engines-work/ --- wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## The TL;DR /wp:heading wp:list - To perform effective search engine optimization (SEO), it's crucial to understand how search engines operate. - They function in three main steps: crawling, indexing, and serving search results. - Crawling involves bots discovering new content online, indexing organizes and stores this content, and serving delivers the most relevant results to user queries. - Key ranking factors include the user's intent, content relevance, quality, usability, and context. - Recent trends in search technology emphasize AI, multimedia, and privacy concerns are impacting search engine algorithms. /wp:list wp:spacer {"height":"20px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph If you're considering performing search engine optimization (SEO) on a website, the first step is understanding how search engines work. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Knowing search engines' backbones will help you understand, strategize, and execute SEO strategies that align with their algorithms and ranking factors. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph By understanding these fundamentals, you'll know how search engines like Google and Bing work, allowing you to improve your visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Introduction to Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### What is a Search Engine? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph A search engine is software that searches a database to locate specific information based on user-provided keywords. Think of search engines as digital libraries that you can browse through. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":4} #### How Do Search Engines Work? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph With search engines like Google or Bing, a search takes place in 3 steps. [Google](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/how-search-works) suggests these are their three steps: /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:list - **Step 1: Crawling:** Google uses crawling technology to deploy bots (spiders) across the Internet to identify text, images, and videos from web pages. - **Step 2: Indexing:** Google then analyzes the text, images, and videos found to understand them and stores them in its database within the correct datasets. - **Step 3: Serving Search Results:** When a user uses Google and searches for a search query, Google will then show the most relevant result. /wp:list wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Please note, however, that not all pages make it through each stage. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They must fulfill specific requirements to be crawled, indexed, and served on Google. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph You'll also find that [Bing](https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/topic/how-bing-delivers-search-results-d18fc815-ac37-4723-bc67-9229ce3eb6a3) has the same process. DuckDuckGo builds on Bing’s index, which is why the [search engine differences guide](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/search-engine-differences/) treats them together. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### The Purpose of Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph The primary goal of search engines is to help the user search for and find information. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, on Google, if you type in "How do search engines work?" it'll search through its database and show you the datasets [related to that keyword](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/semantic-keywords/). /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## How Search Engines Crawl the Web /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:image {"id":4668,"width":"840px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Understanding Web Crawlers /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph A web crawler, a spider, is a bot a search engine will deploy to discover new content online. The process can also be called "URL Discovery." Platforms like Google and Bing deploy billions of these crawlers, helping them find new content to store in their search indexes. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Remember, web crawlers are bots, so web pages should be structured so they can read them. To do this, you want to follow [schema-structured data rules](https://schema.org/). These can improve the readability of your website's HTML from a crawler's perspective. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Technologies Behind Crawling /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Depending on the search engine, different technologies are used. Google, for instance, uses something called [Googlebot](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/googlebot) to fetch data. On the other hand, Bing uses [Bingbot](http://bing.com/webmasters/help/which-crawlers-does-bing-use-8c184ec0) as its standard crawler. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## The Indexing Process /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:image {"id":4669,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} /wp:image wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### What is Indexing? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Search engine [indexing](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/a-simple-guide-to-search-engine-indexing/) is the process where search engines analyze, organize, and store web pages in their central databases. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph During this process, search engines like Google identify [duplicate content](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/why-is-having-duplicate-content-an-issue-for-seo/) and determine the canonical version (the primary version of a web page), which is prioritized in search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Google also learns more about the page, such as the language, geographic relevance, and usability. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Challenges in Indexing /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph The main problem with indexing big data, such as the Internet, is that most index structures [fail to meet the growing data management needs.](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353126761_Challenges_and_Recommendations_in_Big_Data_Indexing_Strategies) The same is true for search engine indexing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Alongside this, it's an automated process completed by web crawlers (aka bots). Therefore, you must fulfill algorithmic requirements to rank "high" in the index. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph It's important to note that search engines do not index all web pages. This can either be done by the website owners or by crawlers deeming the quality and page experience as "poor." /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Ranking Algorithms /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### How Ranking Works /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Search engines use algorithms to analyze websites and determine their Page Rank. A web page's page rank determines where it ranks in the search results of a given search. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Factors Influencing Search Rankings /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Google looks at [five key factors](https://www.google.com/search/howsearchworks/how-search-works/ranking-results/) when determining a page's rank within search results. These include: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} 1. **Meaning:** Aims to understand the user's [intent behind the search](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/serp-intent/) query. 2. **Relevance:** Assesses how well the content on a page matches the user's query. 3. **Quality:** Prioritizes content that it deems as high-quality. 4. **Usability:** Follows a [mobile-first index](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/mobile/mobile-sites-mobile-first-indexing) , so they're looking for sites that can be accessed on mobile devices. 5. **Context:** Personalizes search results based on the user's location, language, past search history, and search settings. /wp:list wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Search Engine Updates and Innovations /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Recent Updates to Search Algorithms /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Google released two major updates in 2024: the [March 2024 Core Update](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/1jW2F89qC2NxJBWGiKxE) and the [March 2024 Spam Update](https://status.search.google.com/incidents/iXz2PJfodvyjaVUeqxZE). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Starting with the Core Update, Google wanted to improve the quality of search results by removing content created for clicks and replacing it with valuable, people-first content. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph They have done this by introducing new spam policies and addressing problems that can negatively impact search results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The Spam Update aided this, as well. With the rise of poorly written AI content, Google introduced the Spam Update to reduce low-quality, unoriginal results. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This was rolled out by improving quality search engine ranking factors and introducing new spam policies. From Match 5th to April 19, Google suggests a [45% decrease](https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/) in low-quality, unoriginal content from this update. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Bing, on the other hand, recently released their [IndexNow](https://www.bing.com/indexnow) tool. This tool allows you to inform Bing about recent content changes to gain access to instant indexing. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Future Trends in Search Technology /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Search engines constantly change, ensuring they stay up-to-date with user requirements. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Based on changing user requirements, here's how search technology will change: /wp:paragraph wp:list - **AI:** With Google's latest spam update, AI content may be penalized in search results. Quality AI content, probably not. However, poor, one-click content, yes. - **Multimedia:** Gone are the days of text-only content. Users want video, text, and audio; future search updates will reflect this. - **AI Overviews (** [AI Overviews): Using generative AI, Google answers search queries with links to where they sourced the information, making structured data more critical](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/google-sge/) . - **AI Overviews:** This is the [new version of AI Overviews](https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/13572151?hl=en&co=GENIE) , and it will start rolling out on May 14 and May 14. /wp:list wp:paragraph Of course, there are many more future trends to consider. However, the mentioned are the top trends to know. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Privacy and Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### How Search Engines Handle User Data /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Most search engines, apart from a small selection, collect user data. They do this to sell advertisements (which requires an understanding of the user type) and to provide the best possible results to users when browsing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Typically, search engines abide by general online privacy rules like the U.S.[Privacy Act](https://epic.org/issues/privacy-laws/united-states/) (1974) and the [GDPR](https://gdpr-info.eu/) for those in the European Union. They also follow data retention and sharing policies. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Privacy Concerns with Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Since the beginning of search engines, privacy has always been a concern. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Search engines can log individual search queries, browsing histories, cookies, IP addresses, and more for user profiling. Collecting this information is called personally identifiable information (PII) (tracking). /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There have been breaches of search engines. Two of the most well-known ones were [AOL](https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/insider-threat-management/throw-back-hack-infamous-aol-data-leak) and [Yahoo](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/03/technology/yahoo-hack-3-billion-users.html), where millions of their data were stolen. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Impact of AI on Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:image {"id":4670,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} /wp:image wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### AI Advancements in Search Technology /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph For a long time now, AI has helped search engines drive innovation. However, lately, we've seen AI advancements like no other. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph First, look at Google's new search figure, "[Circle to Search](https://blog.google/products/search/google-circle-to-search-android/)". Though only available on Android, it allows you to use AI to image search from apps (such as Instagram) to Google without leaving the app. This puts a stronger focus on image search. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Next, you have [Azure AI Search](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/search/search-what-is-azure-search) from Microsoft. This is unlike other generative AIs like [ChatGPT](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/chatgpt-prompts-for-seo/). Instead, they are information-retrieval software, improving how users search for data. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Also, all search engines will improve their understanding of the searcher's intent by using AI and ML (Machine Learning) collaboratively. This will provide a richer, more personalized experience to the end user. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### Future AI Integrations in Search Engines /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph The future of search engines, with the help of AI, will result in a better user experience. It'll help improve: /wp:paragraph wp:list - Search personalization. - Visual identification. - Shopping experiences. - Language barriers. - Accessibility for all (those with visual impairments, language disability, etc.). /wp:list wp:paragraph Search is all about user experience and how they can answer the query the fastest and most effectively. With this in mind, AI can help understand users on a deeper level, providing search engines with much-needed information to innovate. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Which videos explain how a page gets ranked in under ten minutes? **Four videos, about eight minutes between them, and they answer the two things most people guess at: how a page gets ranked and why one page beats another.** They are the visual companion to the crawl, index and rank stages above. Comment SEOVIDZ on the reel and the four links land in your DMs. > Watch the reel on Instagram: 4 videos on how a page gets ranked More like this → Follow @lawrenceaiseo ## FAQ /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### What is a search engine crawler? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Search engine crawlers, spiders, or bots are automated programs search engines use to discover and analyze website content. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### How often do search engines update their algorithms? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Not all algorithm updates are made public. However, SEO experts suggest that search algorithms are updated 500 to 600 times yearly. /wp:paragraph wp:heading {"textAlign":"center","level":3} ### What is the difference between crawling and indexing? /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph Crawling involves search engines discovering and accessing web pages, whereas indexing organizes and stores the information found during a crawl. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:heading {"textAlign":"center"} ## Conclusion /wp:heading wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer wp:paragraph After reading the above, you should understand the SEO basics well. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Search engines work in three steps: crawling, indexing, and serving search results. They carefully process each step to provide the user with the highest-quality experience. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Contact me if you still need to figure out search engines or want SEO advice. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph I'm Lawrence Hitches, an [SEO consultant](https://www.lawrencehitches.com/wordpress-seo-consultant/) from Melbourne who has won awards such as the APAC Search Awards 2023 and the SEMrush Search Awards Australia. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you need me, I'm always here to help. /wp:paragraph wp:spacer {"height":"10px"} /wp:spacer --- *Lawrence Hitches is an AI SEO consultant in Melbourne and Chief of Staff at StudioHawk, Australia's most awarded SEO agency. Agent edition of this site: https://www.lawrencehitches.com/md/index.md*