SEO for Google’s Algorithm

For those who post content online, it may seem like there’s cause for concern every time Google releases a new algorithm update. Oftentimes, new updates make us wonder whether or not our content will still be relevant and perform optimally in search engine result pages. 

For those familiar with the world of SEO, it’s probably no surprise to learn that Google released another core algorithm update in early May of 2020. But while they release updates fairly regularly, it still seems to cause a wave of concern through the SEO community. Nobody wants to have to revise their writing or content every time there’s a core update to keep it showing up in the rankings.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to predict what future updates will look like, and when they will happen. But the good news is, there’s plenty of tips and tricks for ways in which you can appeal your SEO to Google’s algorithm regardless and keep your content relevant through future updates.

Why All The Updates?

Despite how it may feel, the purpose behind regular algorithm updates isn’t to irritate the SEO community. It’s to make sure that search engines are properly serving people. After all, that’s what they’re there for. 

As people’s behaviors and interests change over time, so does what they’re searching for on the internet, hence regular updates and changes to algorithms. Think about it, what we searched for a decade ago is drastically different from what we’re looking for online today, and how we search has changed even more so. That is why regular updates are so necessary (even if they are annoying). 

With trillions of searches occurring annually, even the slightest change to an algorithm has the potential to massively impact websites, which is why appealing your SEO to Google’s ever-changing algorithm is so important. Here are a few tips to help keep content relevant through any current and future changes.

How To Appeal Your Writing To Google’s Algorithm

Focus on quality

After an update, there’s always a good chance that your sight could drop. Even if you didn’t do anything or change anything. But instead of spending time focusing on why it dropped and trying to tweak every aspect of your site to revive old rankings, your time might be better spent focusing on the general quality of content. 

Google’s algorithms reward the best content available, despite current or future algorithm updates. The goal is to connect readers with what they’re looking for and get them the answers that they’re seeking. As a general rule, keep your content user-friendly, well-presented, and always make sure that there’s a key takeaway point readily available that’s valuable to the reader. 

Write for search intent

Plan out what you’re going to say before you say it, keeping in mind the search intentions of the reader. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how incredible or informative your writing is if it can never be found in the first place. Plan out your intentions and make sure that you know what keywords you are optimizing for before you start writing. 

Do some searching yourself

If you’re ever unsure about what Google is ranking for, become the searcher. Type in a keyword or phrase that you’re interested in and take a look at the results. It should be clear by looking at the rankings the keywords are being optimized by Google, and then you can make sure to include those in your own writing.

Get straight to the point

When a reader clicks on a site to find information, there’s a very narrow window for them to find that information before they click off and search for something more easily accessible. Make sure to show readers that they’ve found what they’re looking for quickly, don’t wait until the summary of your writing to give them what they’re after. 

All in all, it’s almost impossible to predict when a Google algorithm update will happen, and how it will affect your content. It can be stressful for those of us who are involved in SEO to worry constantly about how a sudden algorithm update can change rankings and the relevance of content. But while there’s no sure-fire way to protect yourself and your writing from those pesky algorithm updates, producing relevant, accessible, and quality content that’s desired and valued by readers is your best defense.

Looking for longterm SEO solutions? Get in touch with the SEO marketing specialists at Rizzo Young Marketing.