Like time itself, Google stands still for no one. Instead, it’s algorithms are routinely updated and changed. The goal of Google’s algorithms is to enhance the user experience and make search engine optimization (SEO) a bit more fair.
Unfortunately, users aren’t the only ones affected by these updates. Website owners experience the effects of algorithm updates – sometimes in profound ways. If website owners are not on top of their SEO game, these updates can cause their position in search results to suffer.
The good news is that there are things that website owners can do to keep their SEO game sharp. Take a look at some things you need to know about SEO from the experts at EraBright Digital Marketing.
5 Things You Need to Know about SEO
Looking to improve your SEO strategy or bounce back after an algorithm update? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Good Content is King
The saying used to be just “content is king”, but then Google started penalizing websites with low quality content. Now, “good” content is kind. That means more than just being a good writer, however. To compete and keep up with Google’s quality standards, your content should:
- Include text and images
- Be valuable to your users
- Be linked to authoritative and credible sites
2. Backlinks Should be Earned
The golden standard of backlinks is that they happen organically. Someone on the internet does some research and finds your site to be informative and credible. They then link to your site as a source. That is a backlink that is earned.
Many people buy backlinks, such as in press releases, which Google may not see as an organic backlink. If Google registers your backlink as being spam, you could be penalized for it.
3. Site Speed Matters
Because Google has such a high focus on the user experience, one of the things they look for in quality websites is site loading speed. If your website is sluggish, images don’t load properly, or the site times out, you may get penalized and may see your position in search results drop. The more effective your site is, the better the user experience, and the less likely the user will immediately leave.
4. Technical Problems Must be Fixed
Google’s Panda and Penguin updates made technical problems a much more significant concern for website owners. Any sort of technical problem with your website can affect its overall performance. That includes content management, duplicate title or meta tags, navigation, and more. There may be additional updates to Panda and Penguin, so it is a good idea for website owners to fix technical problems as soon as possible.
5. Change is Imminent
The future of SEO appears to be something of a constant evolution. Whether it is small updates or major algorithm overhauls, it is almost guaranteed that we will see many more big Google updates. That means that website owners and SEO professionals must be aware that change is imminent. We must be constantly learning and evolving ourselves so that we stay ahead of the game.
Conclusion
While change is inevitable and Google will constantly evolve, the good news is that many of the SEO strategies that work now will continue to work in the future. Yes, some elements may change, but there are some fundamental SEO guidelines that seem to be here to stay. The 5 SEO topics discussed above are just a sample of those guidelines that don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.