The SEO world is buzzing about the Google patent application that seems to be trying to patent the process of using human editors as a part of the ranking algorithm. Interesting stuff since Google is known for its mathematical approach to search.

I found this part particularly interesting:

In extreme cases, the applicable editorial opinion parameter may cause the web page to be moved to the top of the ranked list or removed from the list completely. In another case, the applicable editorial opinion parameter of a web site may selectively affect one of the scores used in determining the final ranking (e.g., the text match score, the connectivity-based score, or the popular opinion score).

For a good breakdown on the subject here are some links:

SEO by the Seas Post
Technical Chat on the Cre8asite Forums
The Google Patent Application

I know I am OK with having human eyes on our site, but I am not so sure I like that for what it might mean for some affiliates. Are any affiliates out there concerned? Are affiliates even trying to rank on Google anymore? Let me know.

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