Which of the following factors does a search engine use to rank results? Select all that apply.

A search engine utilizes multiple criteria to rank search results, among which quality and relevance are paramount.

Quality refers to how well a web page meets the expectations of users and its overall credibility. Search engines evaluate quality through various performance indicators, such as user engagement metrics, content originality, and authority of the sources cited. High-quality content is likely to provide value to users, which is a critical factor influencing its ranking.

Relevance is equally important as it determines how closely the content of a page matches the user’s search intent. Search engines analyze the keywords used in the query and compare them against the content on web pages to determine how well they align. A search result that effectively addresses the specific needs or queries of users tends to rank higher.

The other options, while factors in different contexts, do not directly contribute to search engine ranking in the same systemic manner. Advertising spend may influence visibility through paid search placements, but organic search rankings are predominantly shaped by quality and relevance. Page layout complexity does not inherently improve the ranking of a page and is more related to user experience than to the criteria search engines use for natural result ranking.