HOW TO SURVIVE GOOGLE'S EVER-CHANGING ALGORITHM
Oct 24, 2013
Last month Google gave its Algorithm a complete overhaul, unveiling a new version, known as “Hummingbird”, that is going to be faster and more precise than the old system.
A search algorithm is what Google uses to give the best answers when you make a Google search. It sorts through billions of web pages to find what it believes to be the most informative and relevant search results. Algorithm updates, such as Penguin and Panda, have been changes that affect certain aspects of a website, such as backlinks or web content. Hummingbird, however, was a complete change in the Algorithm itself.
Maybe you noticed a change in your search rank after Hummingbird was put in place, maybe you didn’t – Google is so elusive that it’s difficult to know what exactly defines your ranking anyway. But if you want to know how not to be knocked down by the ever-changing algorithm updates, here are some things you can do that will definitely help:
Stop trying to work out an SEO “formula”, and relax!
Google deliberately keeps quiet about how its algorithm works, because it wants to discourage people (especially SEO companies) from using formulas to get to the number one spot. Once you stop worrying about your page rank and put your efforts into things like online customer service, you are more likely to see an increase in your rankings, because people know you are a reputable company!
Ditch the link-building, but don’t forget about it altogether
Buying thousands of backlinks is a sure way to fall out of favour with Google’s algorithm updates, but this doesn’t mean that links don’t have any relevance. You’re much better off trying to get backlinks organically, through writing guest blogs and having a good presence on social media sites.
Don’t be an island
This follows on from the point before – you are less likely to be hit by Google’s Algorithm if you are widely talked about on social media sites. That’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and most importantly Google (it is Google we’re talking about here).
Write amazing content
Your website needs great content, whether you want to be seen on Google or not, but the recent changes in the algorithm mean it is more important than ever. Instead of focussing on one or two words in a search term, Hummingbird focusses on the meaning behind the words; pages matching the meaning do better than pages matching words. Having well written content, that clearly explains what you offer, will help abundantly.
If you want to find out more about how to survive Google’s algorithm updates, please just get in touch!
Add Pingback