Google SEO score and accessibility rank on the American University Libraries’ websites: one comparative analysis

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to present a comparative study of university library websites (in the USA) from the standpoint of “Google SEO” and “Accessibility”. Furthermore, correlation analysis between these two done.

Design/methodology/approach

By opting for a webometric approach, the present study analyzed university library websites in the USA. The Lighthouse add-on for the Google Chrome browser has been used as a data collection tool, by writing and implementing a computer program in Bash language automatically (May 2020). Data analysis tools used were “Libre-Office-Calc”, “SPSS22” and “Excel”.

Findings

In all 81 university library websites in the USA, Google search engine optimization (SEO) scores have been observed the amount higher than 60 (Total Score = 100). The accessibility rank obtained lay between 0.56 and 1 (Total Score = 1). A weak correlation relationship between “SEO score” and “accessibility rank” (P-value = 0.02, Spearman Correlation Coefficient = 0.345) was observed. This weak relationship can be explained due to the impact of several components affecting Google’s SEO score, one of them being having a high “accessibility rank”.

Practical implications

Given the increasing automation of library processes, SEO tools can help libraries in achieving their digital marketing goals.

Originality/value

Accurate measurement of the Google SEO score and accessibility rank for the university library websites (in the USA) were obtained by Lighthouse add-on for Google Chrome browser. Moreover, data extraction by the implementation of one program computer without the direct observation of human resources is the innovation of this study.

Citation

Tavosi, M. and Naghshineh, N. (2023), "Google SEO score and accessibility rank on the American University Libraries’ websites: one comparative analysis", Information Discovery and Delivery, Vol. 51 No. 2, pp. 241-251. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-08-2021-0088