Google Patent US9009192B1: How Central Entities Drive SEO Success

ByEhsan Khan

Entity SEO & Google Patent US9009192B1: Central Entities Guide 2025

Ever wondered how Google really understands what your webpage is about? Spoiler: It’s not just keywords anymore. The US9009192B1 patent, titled Identifying Central Entities and granted to Google in 2015, pulls back the curtain on how the search giant identifies the core topics of a page—and it’s a game-changer for SEO.

In this deep dive, we’ll break down the patent in plain English, explore its implications for semantic SEO, and share practical tips to align your content with how Google thinks. Ready to level up your SEO strategy? Let’s get started!

What’s This Patent All About?

At its core, the US9009192B1 patent outlines how Google identifies the central entities—think people, places, or concepts like “Elon Musk,” “Tesla,” or “electric cars”—that define a webpage’s main topic. It uses an entity graph, a web of interconnected nodes (entities) and edges (relationships based on how often entities appear together across the web). Here’s how it works in simple terms:

  1. Spot Candidate Entities: Google scans a page (including text, headings, and metadata) to identify potential entities.
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO
  1. Filter the Noise: It trims irrelevant entities from a massive web-wide entity graph.
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO
  1. Build a Focused Graph: A smaller graph is created, highlighting entities strongly connected to the page.
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO
  1. Score Centrality: Entities get a “centrality score” based on how pivotal they are to the page’s topic.
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO
  1. Clarify Ambiguity: Google figures out context (e.g., is “Apple” the fruit or the tech company?).
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO

The result? Google knows exactly what your page is about and can serve it to users searching for that topic—or even suggest related content like videos or FAQs. For SEO pros, this patent is a roadmap to ranking higher by speaking Google’s language.

Why This Matters for SEO

This patent confirms that Google’s search algorithm has moved far beyond keyword stuffing. It’s now about entities, context, and relationships. Here’s how it impacts your SEO strategy and what you can do to stay ahead.

1. Entities Over Keywords

Google doesn’t just see words—it sees concepts. A page about “Tesla” isn’t just about the word “Tesla” but the entity (the company) and its connections to “electric cars,” “Elon Musk,” and “sustainable energy.”

Actionable Tips:

  • Identify your page’s central entity (e.g., a product, person, or topic).
  • Use schema markup (like schema.org/Organization or schema.org/Product) to explicitly define your entity.
  • Weave related entities naturally into your content to reinforce the main topic.

2. Semantic Relationships Are Key

The patent uses pointwise mutual information (PMI) to measure how often entities appear together (e.g., “Tesla” and “electric cars” have a strong connection). Pages that mirror these relationships rank better.

Actionable Tips:

  • Create content clusters by linking related pages (e.g., a hub page on “Electric Cars” linking to subpages on “Tesla Models,” “Battery Technology,” and “Charging Stations”).
  • Use natural language to include co-occurring terms (e.g., mention “Elon Musk” and “SpaceX” alongside “Tesla”).
  • Check competitors’ content with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to spot their entity patterns and outdo them.
Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO

3. Topical Authority Through Centrality

Google assigns centrality scores to entities based on their importance to a page’s topic. A page laser-focused on one entity, with strong supporting content, earns higher scores and ranks better.

Actionable Tips:

  • Keep each page focused on one core topic to avoid diluting its centrality.
  • Use clear H1 and H2 headings to signal the main entity right away.
  • Avoid unrelated tangents that could confuse Google about your page’s focus.

4. Disambiguate to Win

Ambiguous entities (like “Jaguar” the animal vs. “Jaguar” the car brand) can trip up Google. The patent uses search logs and context to resolve this, and you should too.

Google’s entity graph for US9009192B1 central entities in SEO

Actionable Tips:

  • Use long-tail keywords to clarify intent (e.g., “Jaguar XJ luxury car” instead of just “Jaguar”).
  • Add schema markup to define the entity’s context (e.g., schema.org/Automobile).
  • Include related identifiers (like “luxury vehicles” or “car reviews”) to eliminate ambiguity.

5. Fuel Google’s Content Suggestions

The patent powers Google’s ability to suggest related content—like “People Also Ask” boxes, videos, or knowledge panels—based on central entities.

Actionable Tips:

  • Create supporting content (e.g., FAQs, blogs, or guides) that expands on your central entity.
  • Answer common questions to snag featured snippets or PAA spots.
  • Use internal linking to guide users (and Google) to related pages, mimicking Google’s suggestion system.

Semantic SEO: How to Make It Work for You

Semantic SEO is about aligning with Google’s understanding of context and intent. The US9009192B1 patent is a blueprint for doing just that. Here’s how to apply it practically:

Content Creation

  • Center on Entities: Write content around a clear central entity, supported by related sub-entities. For example, a page about “Tesla” could include sections on “Model S,” “Battery Range,” and “Autopilot.”
  • Use Structured Data: Add schema markup to define entities and their relationships, making it easier for Google to understand your content.
  • Build Content Hubs: Create a network of interlinked pages to establish topical authority (e.g., a hub page on “Sustainable Energy” linking to subtopics).

Technical SEO

  • Mimic Entity Graphs: Use internal linking to connect related pages, creating a structure that mirrors Google’s entity graph.
  • Optimize Crawlability: Ensure clean URLs, breadcrumbs, and sitemaps to help Google index your content and understand its context.
  • Avoid Duplication: Duplicate content can confuse Google about which page represents the central entity.

Keyword Strategy

  • Focus on Entity-Based Keywords: Use tools like Google Trends or AnswerThePublic to find entity-related queries.
  • Target User Intent: Optimize for informational, navigational, or transactional queries tied to your central entity.
  • Go Long-Tail: Long-tail keywords provide context and clarity (e.g., “Tesla Model 3 performance specs” vs. “Tesla”).

Competitive Analysis

  • Spy on Competitors: Use tools like Moz or Screaming Frog to analyze competitors’ entity usage and topical coverage.
  • Fill the Gaps: Identify entities or subtopics your competitors miss and cover them in your content.
  • Monitor SERPs: Check Google’s search results for your target entity to see how Google interprets it and align your content accordingly.

Challenges to Avoid

  1. Entity Ambiguity: Unclear entities can hurt rankings. Use schema and contextual terms to clarify (e.g., “Tesla Inc.” vs. “Tesla coil”).
  2. Topical Dilution: Mixing unrelated entities on a page can lower your centrality score. Stay focused.
  3. Crawlability Issues: If Google can’t access your content, it can’t identify your entities. Ensure all pages are indexable.
  4. Evolving Algorithms: Google’s entity graph gets smarter over time. Keep up with industry updates via blogs like Search Engine Journal.

What’s Next for SEO?

The US9009192B1 patent is a glimpse into the future of search. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Knowledge Graph Integration: Aligning with Google’s Knowledge Graph will boost visibility in knowledge panels and rich results.
  • AI-Powered Summaries: Entity-focused content will fuel AI-generated snippets and answers.
  • Voice Search Dominance: Conversational queries rely heavily on clear entities and context.
  • Personalized Results: Google will use central entities to tailor content to individual users.

Your SEO Playbook

Semantic SEO isn’t a buzzword—it’s the future. If you’re still chasing keyword density or banking solely on backlinks, you’re missing the mark. Google doesn’t just read your content; it understands it through entities, relationships, and context.

Your Next Steps:

  • Pick a Central Entity: Make it crystal clear what your page is about.
  • Build Content Clusters: Link related pages to create a topical web.
  • Use Schema Markup: Help Google “see” your entities.
  • Clarify Context: Use long-tail keywords and supporting terms to avoid ambiguity.
  • Create Supporting Content: Answer related questions to capture snippets and PAA boxes.

By aligning with the principles in this patent, you’re not just optimizing for today’s algorithm—you’re future-proofing your SEO strategy.