Explain how search engines rank pages, no code

About this exercise

Your Information Science course for non-majors asks you to explain how a search engine decides which pages rank first. Get exactly 3 numbered sentences using only the professor's 'links are votes' analogy (what a link counts as, why some votes count more, why spam links don't help), under 70 words, plain text. No code, no formulas and no word 'algorithm' or 'PageRank'.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

• Asking about Google. The AI explains the real company's methods with technical terms, not your lecture's analogy. Try: Say: "Use only the 'links are votes' analogy from my notes."
• Not saying how many sentences. The AI picks its own number, and it usually picks more sentences than you need. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 3 numbered sentences."
• Not banning jargon. AI reaches for 'PageRank algorithm', which your professor gives no credit for. Try: Add: "No code, formulas, algorithm or PageRank."
• Drifting off topic. The AI may add paid ads or other ranking factors. Try: Add: "Only how links affect ranking."
• Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each sentence: "each under 20 words."
• Forgetting where it will be read. AI formats for a screen, with bold and headings that show up as stray symbols on the exam. Try: Say: "Plain text, no bold, no headings."

What a strong prompt includes

• Names the analogy
• Says how many sentences
• Bans jargon
• Says who it's for
• Sets a length limit

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