Below are links about search engine optimization straight from Google, Inc. If the goal is to rank higher on Google, maybe going directly to the source is the way to go…
Webmaster Guidelines – Google tells webmasters what they expect from a website when it comes to design, content, quality and guidelines.
Link Schemes – Here are several link building practices (some that used to work) now considered link schemes. Last Updated 10/27/2012
Google+ User Content and Conduct Policy – Google content and publish policy within Google Plus
Google Places Quality Guidelines – Rules for webmasters and SEO for Google Places Local
Matt Cutts on Canonicalization – (www/non-www) – Google Engineer explains how www.yoursite.com, yoursite.com, and www.yoursite.com/index.html are all the same, possibly causing duplicate content issues.
Matt Cutts on Image Attributes – Learn why you should use image attributes and how.
Google Webmasters Checklist – All the things Google thinks you should do to cleanup and manage website.
Definition of SEO - The definition of search engine optimization, what Google thinks of it, and advice on hiring the right SEO firm.
A High Quality Website – What counts as a high quality site and guidance on building a high quality website, by Google Webmasters Blog.
Page Rank Patent – Method for node ranking in a linked database