Thanks to regular algorithm updates from Google, we SEO’s need to keep on our toes.
Search engine optimisation is still the most efficient and effective method of improving a website’s visibility, with fresh content reigning supreme as a major ranking and link building factor. Phew. Search Plus My World, Google’s latest game changer, has seen a shift in the priority of social search and sharing content which is fast becoming a fundamental aspect of SEO.
Okay, so social media platforms have always been important, especially in terms of establishing brand popularity and lead generation, but now there is a definite air of pressure for businesses to setup a G+ profile and start to share link worthy content.
So now, not only do you need to optimise your website to make it attractive to Google, but you need to pimp your G+ profile too. Oh yes, setting up a profile is the least of your worries. It works in a similar way to site optimisation, in that title tags, keywords etc are all still important and will influence ranking factors in social search.
Brand marketing is also becoming increasingly important, as discussed on Jason Acidre’s blog earlier this week, so much so that the web is saturated with so-called ‘experts’ trying to appear authoritative in their industry. Whilst this might work for Google, most of us are clued up enough to recognise the real McCoy, even if ‘joe bloggs’ has reached the number 1 spot on Google. Search Engine Optimisation is changing, and not as incrementally as initially expected.
It’s starting to become harder for SEO’s to impress Google, and whilst Black-Hats are getting punished for their unethical practices, it doesn’t feel like White Hat SEO’s are gaining anything. It’s a battle that looks sure to continue over the coming years, but it is undeniable that SEO is still the hottest internet marketing tool available to webmasters.
Give us a break, Google.
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