The contribution of indexing to the search engine ranking process

Abstract

Subject indexing is responsible for representing the content of information resources in a way that can be retrieved by users in an information system. This paper presents the importance of indexing in the process of search engine ranking and aims to verify how the elements of the theory and practice of indexing can contribute to information retrieval. The research seeks to identify if Search Engine Optimization techniques have proximity with the elements of subject indexing. Considering the lack of investigations dedicated to the dialog between the two themes, a literature review was used as methodology, in order to contextualize the current research scenario on both themes. The results indicate few works that address the themes of Search Engine Optimization and indexing, together. It is concluded that there is an integration between indexing practices and Search Engine Optimization techniques, describing which elements of indexing can collaborate to search engine ranking.