Google blog search: how does Google identify a blog?

[Hissingsid]

When I do a blog search for a term that I follow I find 2 sites in the top 10 for "blog search" that are also in the top 10 in the standard organic web search. I've been trying to understand why one of these sites that is #1 in organic web search is doing so well.

The site in question is clearly run using Wordpress but is really a standard web site so how does Google decide what is a blog? Does it look for tell-tale signs of the software running the site or is the overall site structure and newness on the home page the give away?

Is it better to be seen as a blog than a site from an SEO point of view?

Does it matter which blog/cms software you use and is there a benefit to having backlinks to Wordpress for example?

Thanks for any input.

Cheers

Sid

[Receptional Andy]

One recent thread that may be of interest:

My site listed under "blog posts about" - it's NOT a blog [webmasterworld.com]

[Hissingsid]

Hi Andy,

Had my eye off that particular ball at the time. Thanks for pointing it out.

I'm still interested in whether folks here think that being mistaken for a blog can help your standard web rankings. I see that one or two folks on that thread suggested that you could but I'd like to hear more about it.

Cheers

Sid

[Receptional Andy]

To be honest, I've seen very little impact on sites that have either accidentally or deliberately been perceived as a blog. As a rule, there's little traffic in Google Blog Search itself (other than if you manage to get integrated via universal search). This would be anecdotal, though, as I don't recall into any specific data.

I think the ranking systems are entirely separate (seem to be pretty different criteria), although I suspect there may be crossover in terms of spidering and data storage.

To put it another way - I've never noticed negative impact, which leaves me with the opinion that there's probably a net gain, although that might be too small to worry about, and may entail risk if the handling of blog vs non-blog changes.

[MrSavage]

I think of it this way. Being a blog gives you two lottery tickets. Having a non blog website gives you one ticket. Call it teachers pet whatever you want. Let's see, two chances for traffic vs. one chance. Hmm. What do I do?