Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has remained one of the most sought after service ever since Google become the ‘go to’ guy for nearly anything! The fundamentals of SEO are meant to deliver value through great content promoted judiciously on search engines. However, with times, the game always changes. Google is always updating its algorithms every once in a while to ensure quality content is readily accessible. Here are some of the trends in SEO moving forward:
Google Panda
In April 2011, Google rolled out a major change in its search engine algorithms. It became known as the Panda update. The changes were aimed at enriching user experience by limiting visibility of content farms, which while being relevant to a search query weren’t usually the most helpful.
The changes aimed at identifying low-quality pages and sites. They reduced the ranking of these websites while at the same time increasing the ranking of websites that provide relevant and unique content. Currently Google Panda is only affecting search results in the US but it is only a matter of time before it is released across the world. SEO providers quickly changed gears and are always keeping up to date with Google’s changes. Whether it’s a local Kansas City SEO service provider or Birmingham SEO service provider, you can bet they’re closely watching the updates.
To avoid being slapped by the Panda, website owners can promote their content on social networks, change the tonality of the content to make it sound more real and even offering users a better experience by showcasing images, videos and links to the best editorial content on the website.
Unique Content
With the new changes in the algorithm, it is necessary to include relevant content on your website or blog. The longer the post, the higher the chances of getting a better ranking unless it’s just being copied from another source.
Social Signals
Social signals include how many comments a blog post has received or how many times a blog post was tweeted and retweeted or even shared on facebook. These signals are becoming important for ranking in Google. Websites and blogs with a higher engagement rate are bound to get a higher ranking in line with the recent Google Panda algorithm updates. Google also reacts to who retweets content. Retweets from relevant users within the same industry, or sharing the same goal or passion carry more weightage than retweets by random followers. Google+ is the new kid on the block, but is bound to be very powerful.
Social Media
Social Media has rapidly become the place to be for brands and people alike. Now social media is also gaining importance in SEO. The information section on facebook in particular is SEO friendly and Google gives importance to pages and user profiles that have relevant information. Twitter on other hand is far more SEO friendly, as Tweets can be searched via Google search as well. Website owners should have a presence in these social networks to enhance their rankings, increase organic traffic (from search engines and social networks), and provide a better user experience.
Location-based SEO
Location-based marketing is the hottest trend in social media however; it is still in its little toddler stages when it comes to SEO. Where it does help is when real users add real reviews of brick and mortar stores and give instant publicity through posts on facebook and Twitter. Real reviews are usually recommended, shared, retweeted by other real users making location-based SEO the next big thing in social media optimization.
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