• I’m Interested In

Why you Need SEO in 2016

seo-896175_960_720

SEO has certainly changed over the years with Search Engine Optimization tactics shifting dramatically. Most marketers understand that some of their budget needs to go towards new SEO strategies, but how do you know what those new SEO strategies actually are? Knoxweb explains that packing your headlines with keywords is no longer necessary when it comes to driving traffic to your website.

Historically the focus, as far as content goes, was to focus on the keywords; however, search engines are much smarter than they used to be with content creators scratching their heads when it comes to SEO in 2016.

Knoxweb gives you the lowdown on what to expect when it comes to SEO in the second half of 2016.

Intention is the key

These days you do not need an exact keyword when it comes to relevant search results. Back in the day is was about the click. However, these days search engines understand how people are actually interacting with your site. Search engines know if people are going back for more and what they are doing when they visit your website. Today it is about post click activity. The clicks are important but what is even more important is satisfying the user.

Keywords aren’t all that anymore

Including the keywords in your headline is not as important as it used to be, as Google has gotten much better at interpreting the meaning. If you want to rank for best doctor, you had to put best doctor in your content four or five times. Of course, it is still helpful, however, using the semantic meaning is even more important as you can talk about the great experience that you had with a particular doctor and the search engines will understand what you are saying and pick up on it.

As search engines get smarter, they are beginning to think about what other words would naturally go in a blog or article. For example if you were writing an article about the new Apple Watch your copy could include the keywords time, apps, watch, iPhone and Apple. Using those keywords in your copy will signal the search engines telling them that the article is authoritative and informative telling the search engines that this would be a good article to read.

75% of all search queries are three to five words in length. Knoxweb recommends that you write your headlines the same way. Google, Bing, and the other search engines are starting to figure out that people aren’t getting the results they want so they are typing in keyword phrases.

User Experience

When it comes to Google, it really is all about the user. Content creators need to remember that Google makes about 500 algorithm changes every year with all of those changes focusing on user experience. Every change is to help people get the results that they want within a couple of pages, and if you want to be in those first couple of pages you need to make sure that your original content is the focus whether that is through images, long form-content or video’s.

Although a list format is still very clickable, it is important to use the top five formats sparingly. People do like to read content that is easy to digest, but top five formats don’t have a lot of weight when it comes to the search engines. What is important is to make sure that what you say after the number is useful and helpful to the reader.

If you would like more information regarding SEO, call or click and schedule an appointment with Knoxweb today.