Just as the earth rotates the sun 365 days a year, Google is continuously working, moving and improving, so we can be assured that Google’s algorithm will change in 2022. We can thankfully say goodbye to clickbait titles, they will no longer be gracing us with their presence in the SERP’s. Google’s algorithm is evolving and it is able to recognise content that provides the most important information to a user’s search and that the information they are receiving is trustworthy. SEO rankings are likely to become even more competitive in terms of quality content. The quality of the links in the content is also going to be assessed. We carry out SEO Belfast wide and recently expanded to Dublin, we track Google’s every move and this is what we have found.
Search-related
YouTube displays videos that are user-submitted as well as endorsed and we can likely expect similar happenings this year with content found in Google search results. They are working to tailor the content that a user gets in their SERP’s based on their search history, their interests and frequently asked questions as well. Search is going to get more personalised and user optimised.
Voice Search and Inquiry
The rise of voice assistants like Alexa and Google’s own is changing the way that we access information at a rapid rate. One thing that we know is that we don’t speak the way that we type to get information. So for instance, we might type into Google ‘best air purifier’, but if we were to voice search it, maybe ‘what is the best air purifier’ would fit into our natural way of speaking and be a more relative term for air purification related topics.
Appropriately Placed Keywords
It is not necessary to put yourself on repeat mode and insert the same keyword throughout the content you are creating. Google is getting better at understanding good and bad content. The overuse of certain words, like ‘enthusiastic’ for example, could have you labelled a spammer.
Videos and Images
The era of visualisation, we have become accustomed to this. We like to digest information, where possible with visual representation attached to it. Having images and videos in your content is undeniably incredibly beneficial. This best SEO practice with have your content ranking high in the SERP’s and therefore attract more users.
Local SEO
Gone are the days of walking around town and seeing where to eat as you walk through the city, instead we search, ‘best place to eat in Belfast’ or ‘restaurants near me’, we digest their content – menu – online and we seek the opinions of others in their reviews of the establishment. So with this in mind, local SEO is so important, especially after the pandemic, with the majority of the population now preferring to stay at home to work and learn.
So, what should businesses expect after the Google algorithm updates 2022?
We see businesses time and time again, coming to us for SEO Belfast services, AFTER they have already incurred the effects of Google’s algorithm changes – which is TOO LATE. With 15 years experience in SEO, we know how to talk with Google, we know when changes are coming, we prepare and we adapt – your business needs to do the same to keep it’s rank – keep in front of your target customers. Losing rank and therefore a huge drop in traffic can be a huge financial drain to any business, Google’s algorithm changes can happen in the blink of an eye and often without warning, so following the best SEO practises is essential to safeguarding and future proofing your business.
Things to keep in mind this year:
- Web traffic is unpredictable, don’t take it for granted
- Your place in the SERP’s is volatile
- Your site may start displaying to a new demographic – used in different ways
- Track your conversions, bounce rates and time spent on site – these are important metrics to you
- Revenue could decline, just because you are first now, doesn’t mean you always will be.
- SEO is an investment in your business, ROI for SEO is truly incredible if you make a long term commitment.
If you see a decline in your organic rankings, you will also be met with raised advertising costs as you try to win back the traffic you have lost because otherwise, your customers will not be able to find you. Your business, whether you like it or not depends on Google and they are continually improving and to stay at the top, or get to the top, you need to keep up with the search giant.