Google Algorithm Changes: What You Need to Know
Chelsey Fox — April 17, 2017 — April 17, 2017
Google has recently made some changes to its search algorithm. Several of the most recent updates have been designed specifically to affect local SEO in an attempt to diversity listings. While big companies are unlikely to be hurt by the new additions, these changes may end up affecting your small business site’s SEO more than you realize. In order to make sure that your site continues to get the online traffic that you need, be sure to follow these guidelines to keep getting those hits.
Avoid Spam
Google is cracking down on the spam sites that show up in search results. You may be thinking “no problem, my site isn’t spam!” but take a look at some of your content. Is your actual content covered in ads, and are those ads particularly “clickbait”? Are you using generic terms in an attempt to hit every keyword imaginable? Google wants to show its users quality content, and it does that by sorting through the spam before it even reaches the viewer. Be sure that your site doesn’t accidentally get thrown out with the trash. Post high quality original content, and keep your site updated regularly.
Keep Things Clear
This goes hand-in-hand with avoiding spam, but it’s worth mentioning on its own. When you write online content, be sure that it’s free of typos, grammar errors, and other clarity issues. Many spam sites may be written in broken English or contain many typos, and the algorithm will filter these. Proofread your posts before they go live. Not only will this improve your SEO, but it also helps your customers find the information they need on your site quickly and easily– it’s a win-win.
Make Changes Gradually
Like a science experiment, you should hold all other factors constant when you’re making changes to your site. That way, if something works or doesn’t, you’ll know just what it was that made the change. If you’re trying to work on your SEO, pick one thing at a time to change, see how it goes, and rinse and repeat.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this info, or if you’re just not sure how to make the new search algorithm work for you, that’s where we come in. We can work with you to improve your site’s SEO and help you to get more online engagement than ever before.
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