An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules that a computer program follows to accomplish a specific task, such as solving a problem or processing data. The word “algorithm” by itself can seem scary, but it is simply computer code that understands the question and evaluates the relative merits of the answers.
In the context of search engines, search algorithms are triggered by a simple search query from a user. The search algorithms are used to analyse, prioritise, and rank the indexed content based on various factors such as relevance, authority, and popularity in order to provide the most appropriate results in response to a user’s query.