SEO in Israel
Search Engine Optimization and Web Site Positioning for Israel

SEO Israel: Presently, only Google, Yahoo, and MSN (Bing) maintain true Hebrew and English search engines. They are the the only "search engines" in Israel that fully index  page content and return results based on a ranking algorithm. In short, the Israeli Google, Yahoo, and MSN work just like their big brothers overseas.

The other "search engines" in Israel (e.g. Walla, Tapuz, Nana) are actually only "directories" of sites. They don't spider and index site pages and content, they merely create a list of sites.

When you query one of these directories with a search phrase, they return results based on their list of sites: your site content is not a factor in the results. The results are returned on the basis of only a few parameters: Site name, description, keywords etc. - all elements that you supply in a form when you request inclusion in their index. The content of your site does not influence the results.

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What does this mean for SEO in Israel?

Simply put, except for the foreign engines, SEO techniques have no effect on your rankings in Israeli search results. Optimization will help your results at Google, Yahoo, and MSN Israel, but not at Walla, Tapuz, and the other Israeli search portals.

In fact, the Israeli portals work on a "first come, best rankings" basis: As an example, let's say you want your site to turn up in the results for a search on the keyphrase "seo israel". You simply include this phrase as one of your keywords on the submission form you fill in when you ask to be added to the portal's index. Once indexed, your site will turn up in results only for phrases that are included on the submission form.

If your site content is not spidered, then how is your site ranked for searches on the keywords you requested? Your site is ranked on a "first come, best results" basis:

your site will get a #1 ranking if you were the first site to request a listing for "seo israel" and a #1000 ranking if you were the thousandth site to make such a request. Simple, isn't it! And it works this way for all keyphrases.

So how can I get a high ranking for a competitive keyphrase at an Israeli search portal?

It's also simple: you pay! Soon after submitting your site and requesting that it be listed with a competitive keyphrase such as "seo israel", you will receive a call from a sales rep of the Israeli search portal in question. They will explain to you that there are tens or even hundreds of sites ranked ahead of you for this search, but for a fee, you can be ranked #1, in the top 10, etc. How much is the fee? For competitive keyphrases, the fee can reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year!

What should I do?

First, make sure your pages are optimized - many Israelis use Google, Yahoo, and MSN Search - and well optimized pages will rank highly at all of them.

Second, have someone who understands the process (like a professional SEO consultant) submit your site to the search engines in Israel. A professional can find the right keywords that will result in as many "free" high rankings as possible, so that your site generates traffic without paying the fees the search portal companies are looking for.

Contact us so you can generate traffic from search engines in Israel.