“The reality of SEO is the reality of any successful endeavor: It will take strategic, consistent, and sufficient efforts to rank well” – Viola Eva, Founder of Flow SEO
When you’re building a business (whether brick-by-brick or line-of-code-by-line-of-code), it takes tremendous grit and effort.
After the taxing process of giving life to what was initially just a flickering idea in the depths of your skull, you’ll do whatever you can to promote this brainchild you love. In the digital era, this means creating a website that acts as your company’s “face” – a resource for current clients and a call to new ones!
To get your website to rank, you’ll have to jump through all the SEO hoops specified by Google algorithm updates, ensuring a winning spot on the results pages where it counts.
The Consequences of Not Maintaining SEO for Google Algorithm Updates
Now, imagine this: one morning, you wake up, and overnight, everything’s changed.
Traffic to your website can be described as bumper-to-bumper at best; your average position has plummeted, and your number-one competitor is sitting pretty at the top.
What in the name of sweet SERPs is going on?!
We’ll tell you: this digital tsunami that’s hit your rankings harder than Mike Tyson is brought on by a Google Algorithm Update. Whether you were unprepared or simply couldn’t foresee it happening, you’ve got a super-sized SEO assignment ahead of you.
This article will help you understand how to improve SEO for Google updates and survive them going forward. So, let’s get reading and ranking.
What is the Purpose of Google Algorithm Updates?
It’s all about rankings, at the end of the day.
As the biggest search engine in the world, website owners are expected to constantly improve SEO for Google updates so that they, in turn, can offer better, more relevant information for their users. Often-seen changes to the algorithm include:
- The way Google interprets user intent
- How site content is analyzed and conveyed to users
- How information is depicted on-screen (using advanced search features)
Here’s where this process becomes more nebulous: the type of update (determined by scale and content) could have a major impact on your site’s organic performance, or, depending on how it relates to your site’s content, it could have no effect at all!
How Often Do You Need to Survive Google Algorithm Updates?
Back in 2017, Google’s Gary Illyes surmised that there were about 3 updates a day on average.
As of 2022, Search Engine Land has estimated this number to be closer to 12 times per day. These daily updates are often smaller and created solely for specific regions, languages, or website types.
If you’re serious about wanting to improve SEO for Google updates, you’ll want to be plugged into the less frequent but more resounding broad-core updates. These are designed to improve Google’s general services and, once released, lead to major turbulence in search rankings (SERPs).
Fear not, fellow web crawlers, for we have solutions to minimize these SEO update-induced massacres listed below.
E-A-T and Other Ways to Improve SEO for Google Updates
No, this is not Google’s way of telling you it’s time for lunch.
E-A-T stands for Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness – core pillars with which Google expects your site to comply. The trick lies in flawlessly combining Google’s E-A-T outline with your survival strategy.
Let’s look at the key elements that you, as an SEO and website owner, can implement to ensure years of work aren’t dismantled by the next broad-core update.
1. Never Underestimate User Experience (UX)
- Mobile-friendliness: Mobile search is now a top priority for Google; your website must be adaptable to any device, particularly smartphones. This can include responsive design, easily readable text, and well-sized buttons.
- Fast loading times: Users want and need quick results, so Google boosts websites that load quickly. Optimize images, decrease HTTP requests, and implement caching features to obtain an under-three-second website load.
- Neat navigation: Your website should be easily navigable for users, making it clear and intuitive for them to find what they’re looking for. Descriptive menu labels, a logical site map, and internal links create the smoothest user journey.
2. Content is Crucial for Google Algorithm Updates
- Quality content: Your content must address user needs, keep people on your site, and position you as an authority in your field. Research, clear language, and unique insights go a long way.
- Targeted keywords: You need to know what keywords your target audience uses to find out about information relating to your niche. Organic use of these keywords in your content beats keyword stuffing every time.
- Update Content: Improve SEO for Google updates by frequently updating your existing content to retain freshness and relevance. Revise outdated information, add new copy, and comment on trends in your field.
Link Building is Solid SEO for Google Updates
- Earning backlinks: these links are from one website to another via anchor text and act as a vote of confidence for your website per the algorithm. Backlinks from high-authority sites in your industry signify your credibility and relevance.
- Contribution and participation: write valuable guest posts on relevant blogs and sites while participating in online communities and forums related to your niche.
- Collaboration: Engage with other businesses and influencers in your field and create link exchange opportunities.
Staying Ahead of the Anticipated Helpful Content Update
The last helpful content update was released in September of 2023 and revised how Google’s system evaluates and ranks content. This was the latest Google algorithm update in the broad-core category. Here’s what it requires:
- Content that puts user benefit and satisfaction first.
- Dedicated research providing in-depth answers to user queries.
- Use data, statistics, and evidence from reputable sources to verify claims.
- Avoid incorrect information, clickbait tactics, or overtly promotional content.
- Encourage comments, questions, and discussions as a means of prioritizing user engagement.
Only the Strong Survive Google Algorithm Updates
The best part about implementing these strategies is that they won’t only help you survive update webquakes, but they’ll also enhance the user experience, establish your website as an authority, and boost your overall online presence.
Ultimately, Google algorithm updates shouldn’t affect you too badly if you stay consistent and adaptable.
Stay Informed to Improve SEO for Google Updates
There’s no singular solution to the dark horse that is Google algorithm updates; trust us, we know.
Knowledge is your best weapon, even when you’re pitted against the unknown. Google Search Central is the official source for information and updates relating to the search engine. Google’s search guidelines are also explained in great detail here.
Don’t forget to follow esteemed SEO blogs, sites, and communities where the conversation revolves around Google algorithm updates and best practices. Well done; you’ve already found one and you’ve just finished reading it. Sign up to stay updated.
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Written by Adam Eli Bernhardt