Liam Barwell Blog Post #2
Blog Post 2
Lee, S., Jang, W., Lee, E., & Oh, S. G. (2016). Search engine optimization: A case study using the bibliographies of LG Science Land in Korea. Library Hi Tech, 34(2), 197–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-02-2016-0014
Nancy Baym describes the backstage of a platform as software, algorithms, and APIs that govern the appearance and operation of the user interface (Baym, 17). Quora’s backstage is the functioning set of rules that the platform follows that engages with the problem-solving needs of all users. More specifically, Quora’s algorithm determines where users rank among others according to its search engine optimization. “SEO in general refers to scientific methods and processes to induce web traffic to websites. It defines structured and goal-driven techniques that would streamline website structures, languages used, site interaction mechanisms, and others, all of which are designed to promote the site to land itself at the top of search engine listings in light of the keyword(s) entered by the user” (Lee, 198). In terms of Quora’s SEO, it helps rank the relevancy and authenticity of questions and answers posted on the platform. Quora’s SEO can increase both the visibility and therefore engagement with a post. It can determine which post is the most relevant to your search. In addition, the software that built Quora and runs as its API is a programming language called python picked by engineer and co-founder Charlie Cheever. Cheever picked python because dynamically typed languages see variables at runtime, not just when compiling code. Just like how “a search engine uses its algorithm to decide site credibility” (Lee, 203), Python is a computer programming language often used to build websites and conduct data analysis. As a result, Python helps collect data across the platform that is tailored to users' search engines to reveal the most relevant and engaging content. Cheever ultimately went with python because he wanted an efficient programming language to develop and collect data for his Q & A platform. This is how Quora can control and monitor its appearance and operation.
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