Mathematical functions that assign weight to query terms for ranking (e.g., BM25-TF, Dirichlet smoothing). Google uses hybrids of these models.
Do you ever feel like your content should be ranking better, but Google just does not seem to know what your page is truly about? I know that frustration of putting in the work and still losing to a competitor whose content looks weaker. I want to share the secret math search engines use to decide which words matter most. 🥇
I am going to explain exactly What is Term Weighting Models (BM25, TF-IDF variants)? and show you how to structure your content for maximum ranking power. I will give you simple, actionable tips for every platform and industry, without needing a degree in mathematics. This focus on content depth will ensure your page is seen as the clear authority.
What is Term Weighting Models (BM25, TF-IDF variants)?
Term Weighting Models are the sophisticated formulas search engines use to calculate the importance of every single word on a page relative to a user’s search query. These models, like the popular BM25 and various TF-IDF variants, assign a score, or “weight,” to each term. This score determines how much a word contributes to a page’s overall relevance.
I view these models as the engine room of search: they go beyond simple keyword counting to measure relevance, frequency, and document length. For example, BM25 is considered an improvement over traditional TF-IDF because it adjusts the score based on the length of the document. This prevents long, general articles from scoring highly just because they mention a keyword more times.
Impact of Term Weighting Models Across CMS Platforms
Since these models are primarily concerned with the quality and structure of my content, my focus on every CMS is on comprehensive writing and strong organization.
WordPress
On WordPress, I optimize for Term Weighting Models by creating highly comprehensive content that uses my target keywords and related semantic terms naturally. I ensure my articles are long enough to cover the topic fully, but I avoid unnecessary fluff that would hurt my BM25 score. I use clear headings to organize the content, making it easier for the models to process key sections.
Shopify
For my Shopify stores, I boost my weighting models by writing extremely detailed product descriptions that maximize the weight of high-value terms like model numbers and unique features. I ensure that the most important terms appear early in the title and description where they receive more weighting. This precise placement and density help my products rank for specific commercial queries.
Wix
Wix users should focus on creating detailed content for all core pages, making sure to use a variety of specific, relevant terms that are unique to their business. I avoid generic, short descriptions that would dilute the signal for my most important keywords. I aim for content that is clear, focused, and deep, even if the page is concise.
Webflow
Webflow’s structured CMS helps me organize long-form content, which is key for maximizing term weights. I leverage the CMS to include necessary technical terms in structured fields, which the weighting models value highly. This clean data input ensures my content is accurately assessed for relevance and authority.
Custom CMS
With a custom CMS, I enforce content standards that prioritize deep, authoritative content and discourage short, under-developed pages. I make sure my most important terms are used with the correct proximity and frequency in critical areas. This high-level control allows me to fine-tune my content for optimal weighting.
Term Weighting Models Application in Different Industries
I apply the principle of high-value term placement to match the specific informational needs of each industry.
Ecommerce
In e-commerce, I utilize term weighting by focusing the high-weight terms on product titles, H1s, and the first product bullet points. I ensure my unique product identifiers and brand names are used frequently and correctly. This strategic placement ensures my product pages are the most relevant result for a buyer’s search.
Local Businesses
For local businesses, I increase term weighting by ensuring the service term and the local area term are used together frequently in headings and contact information. I focus on specific, high-weight terms like “licensed,” “emergency,” and “24/7” alongside my service and location. This signals immediate, local relevance.
SaaS (Software as a Service)
With SaaS, my content needs to maximize the weight of technical and feature-based terms to prove expertise. I ensure my documentation uses technical terms frequently and that my blog posts cover related concepts deeply. This high frequency of specialized, unique vocabulary signals authority in a complex field.
Blogs
For my blogs, I focus on creating comprehensive articles where the most important terms appear early and are discussed throughout the entire document. I ensure the content is thorough, using all the required semantic terms for a complete answer. This depth and focus lead to high-ranking, authoritative guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BM25 a better model than TF-IDF?
BM25 is generally considered a more advanced model than standard TF-IDF because it includes a crucial adjustment for document length. This prevents very long documents from being unfairly ranked simply due to high word count.
What is the most important component of BM25?
The most important component is the document length normalization, which ensures that the relevance score is fair regardless of whether the content is a short article or a long, comprehensive guide. It rewards relevance, not just verbosity.
Should I focus on increasing Term Frequency (TF)?
I should focus on increasing Term Frequency naturally by covering the topic comprehensively and completely. However, I must always ensure I am not sacrificing readability, as excessive frequency can lead to a spam signal.
How can I influence the Term Weighting Models?
I influence them by using my core keywords in key on-page areas like the Title Tag, H1, and first paragraph. I also write complete, organized content that uses specialized, low-frequency terms to signal unique relevance.
