Search Engine Optimization might sound simple at first, but anyone who has worked in this field knows that it is a complex art. Algorithms like Google’s are difficult to fully understand on their own without the continual changes reshaping them. Netting a spot in the top search results is no easy feat, by any means.
Search engines are constantly working to improve the quality of their search results for a better user experience. During this process, some ranking factors change while others disappear altogether with new factors to take their place. Whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, or Fortune 500 company, these top SEO trends from 2018 can help you gain the rank you’re looking for.
SERP Hits the Scene
The days of organic rankings are long gone, and SERP features now reign supreme. SERP stands for Search Engine Results Pages, or what the engine displays in response to a query. Features like local packs and knowledge panels allow you to better track your rankings.
The ability to monitor how your keywords are performing on their own and against others is vital to your success. The more SERP features you can track, the better.
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Structured Data for HTML
Search engines interpret content through structured data (SD), essentially giving them a vocabulary to use. SD is not a ranking signal itself, but it does allow you enhance your listings through rich snippets and Knowledge Graph panels.
Rich snippets can increase your listings by up to 30-percent when used correctly, so structured data should quickly become one of your best friends.
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The Speed Factor
Speed is both a ranking signal and UX factor, with UX currently being used for ranking itself. Since this factor weighs in twice, you want to make sure your pages load in under three seconds to meet Google’s standards. There are various places online to test your speed with several indicating how you can give your pages a boost.
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Comprehensive Content
Google’s algorithm is getting smarter every year. In 2018, it can now detect relevant content based on Latent Semantic Indexing and a few other techniques.
After looking at billions of pages, Google determines which terms are used in various contexts to decide if the terms in your article make it a comprehensive one.
To beat the system, so to speak, you’ll need to look at top-competitor pages and see which terms they share. Online tools can help you achieve this tedious task, as can an SEO agency with dedicated specialists.
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Voiced Keywords
SEO optimizers now need to worry about more than just what individuals are typing into search bars. As voice search popularity continues to soar, it is equally important to understand what people are literally asking for. That means adapting to conversational linguistics instead of the normal query.
These changes to the SEO industry can make or break the success of your website. Understanding how to track them and implement the necessary edits to your content and pages is vital. When combined correctly, however, you can see your pages gain the top spots on the first page of a Google search
The World of Marketing Has Changed. Has the CMO? | Quadient https://t.co/mGRy3vzHRK pic.twitter.com/zprxpki8Z1
— Will Corry (@slievemore) August 11, 2018