Which SE and Why?

[webertain]

If you had to optimize your index page or site for that matter to one search engine and one only which one would you choose and why?

I know I am a little new here, but I would think Google, because of the traffic factor that it gets.

[Travoli]

:) my thoughts exactly

[Bentler]

Google-- partly because it's used a lot and Yahoo uses it, and partly because it's so accurate in sifting out irrelevent junk. You stand a good chance of being findable in your subject on Google compared to other SE's. I'd try to optimize the site for it, not just the index, and build content that's compelling enough for other sites to link to.

I think it's also important to get into ODP, which puts it in Google's directory and several other SE's including AOL among a list of others.

[NFFC]

Yahoo.

[webertain]

NFFC, you say Yahoo, but you can you really optimize your site for Yahoo, especially since they are a directory?

I would think no, you just put your best site out their and hope they place you in the category you ask to be placed in? (Let me say I have seen the kind of traffic that can be received by great placement in Yahoo)

Where as with Google, AV, and other SE's you can control your meta content, and site content to create a better listing. Just my two cents, would love to hear your response.

[paynt]

I agree with NFC,

I prefer to optimize with the editor on my shoulder, whether it be Yahoo, ODP or Looksmart. If I create a page or site that works well in this avenue, it's a pretty good bet I'll be starting off on my best foot in the engines.

From there I try to make the site as attractive to Google as I can, with AOL and MSN next in line.

[mona]

Looksmart and Google.

Looksmart - if it does well there, the same goes for MSN.

Google- If it does well there, it'll do well in pretty much every other SE. And of course the Yahoo factor is the most important.

[Brett_Tabke]

Altavista. Why? Alta, Ink, Excite, and Fast are close enough algo's that you can do "one size fits all" optimization.

[NFFC]

>can you really optimize your site for Yahoo

That's a big [big]yes[/big].

"that is why Y! is like big game hunting... skill, preparation, patience, and luck.... and then it comes down to one shot... hit or miss. If you nail it, you have a trophy, if not, you'll starve."

dogboy [webmasterworld.com]

[Drastic]

I also try for the one-size-fits-all approach, but also consider your audience. Some topics are more popular on different engines. If you're targetting newer users, Yahoo and MSN perform well. However, more technical/advanced users are more likely to use an engine like AV or Google.