Where can I find a list that covers the main points? I'm doing a personal case study, via reverse engineering, to help understand whAt ticks the algorithm and bots
This is good a starting point as any - http://www.searchenginejournal.com/200-parameters-in-google-algorithm/15457/ It's all speculation, so it's a question of finding someone who is making the guesses that you reckon has sufficient experience and knowledge to know what they are talking about, and Ann Smarty definitely does.