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SEO has always been a foundational marketing strategy. It’s a simple enough equation: you want to attract business. People find new companies and products online through search engines. Therefore, your business needs to appear in those searches.
However, though the concept is straightforward, executing it isn’t always easy. Google is constantly updating its algorithms to improve the search experience. If your web copy and content don’t live up to the new standards, your search position, rank, and traffic might drop—sharply and suddenly, seemingly for no good reason.
So, why does Google keep changing the game?
The answer is elementary: it’s about the people. Like any business model, B2B or B2C, marketing and product development is laser-focused on giving the people what they want. And today, what people want is answers. They want their search queries to answer questions, solve problems, and deliver solutions. One of the biggest barriers to accomplishing those goals is spammy, low-quality content—and that’s what the current algorithmic changes are cracking down on.
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” loop_animation=”once” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”podkova font_20″ content_align=”left” size=”2″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Podkova” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”800″ font_size=”20px” line_height=”1.2″ text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top_medium=”2px” margin_bottom_medium=”2px” margin_top_small=”2px” margin_bottom_small=”2px” margin_top=”2px” margin_bottom=”2px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Understanding Google’s Latest SEO Updates[/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”font_17″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]
Content quality and user experience are at the heart of Google’s latest SEO updates. User-centric metrics, like on-page experience and content helpfulness, are gaining importance because they are critical to a user-centric search experience.
To champion the change, you must dive deep into your content strategy and ensure your copy, UX, and content serves customer intent. If these elements provide value to your site visitors, you’re in the clear. Poorly written content, low-quality images, or a clunky user experience will almost certainly knock you off page one (if they haven’t already).
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” loop_animation=”once” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”podkova font_20″ content_align=”left” size=”3″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Podkova” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”800″ font_size=”20px” line_height=”1.2″ text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top_medium=”2px” margin_bottom_medium=”2px” margin_top_small=”2px” margin_bottom_small=”2px” margin_top=”2px” margin_bottom=”2px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Key Elements of the New SEO Guidelines[/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”font_17″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]
It should be said that optimizing for Google guidelines in 2024 is not that much different than it has been in the past. However, as many businesses today turn to generative AI to output content, content creators must pay more attention to how well the AI represents their standards.
While Google will not penalize websites for using AI, the content must be accurate, engaging, and informative. You’ll still need to edit and revise to ensure it aligns with your buyer personas and meets brand standards.
The first indication your site may be on the business end of the new SEO updates would be a dramatic drop in impressions and clicks. Take this as a call to arms and do a little more digging to find out:
- What pages are the worst hit?
- Is it all pages or just a few?
- What search queries are related to those pages?
Next, compare the dates of the changes to the date the update was issued. If they align, you’ve got some work to do. It’s important to check this because a drop in traffic could be for other reasons, like seasonal decline or regular ebb and flow.
It’s also a good idea to differentiate between referral sources. What you’re most concerned with is organic search traffic as that’s what’s going to affect your SERP performance.
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” loop_animation=”once” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”podkova font_20″ content_align=”left” size=”3″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Podkova” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”800″ font_size=”20px” line_height=”1.2″ text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top_medium=”2px” margin_bottom_medium=”2px” margin_top_small=”2px” margin_bottom_small=”2px” margin_top=”2px” margin_bottom=”2px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Practical Steps to Enhance Your Website’s SEO[/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”font_17″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]
Quality content should always be a priority. With Google’s SEO updates, 2024 might underperform in organic search if your content doesn’t align well with search intent.
Here are a few tips for optimizing content, structure, and on-site SEO elements to get you through this core update.
- Identify affected pages as outlined in the previous section. We suggest using Google Search Console to analyze and pinpoint specific issues.
- Address technical website issues. Your Search Console analysis may reveal broken links, 404 errors, and other variables affecting your search results. Find and fix.
- Address content quality. If specific pages or content seems to be at issue, look for clues as to why this might be. Do a little research to find competing content that ranks high for your search terms and compare. When you update your copy, aim to make your content highly relevant to your customers and site visitors.
- Ask yourself:
- Is the content original?
- Does it offer unique viewpoints compared to what’s out there already?
- Is it written with authority? Does it display expertise?
- Does the content have a concise goal? Does it fulfill that goal?
- Is the content actionable? Does it solve the user’s problem or answer their questions?
- Is the content factual? Evidentiary? Error-free?
- Would you trust the content if you were the user?
- Does your content support your website’s primary purpose?
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” loop_animation=”once” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”podkova font_20″ content_align=”left” size=”3″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Podkova” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”800″ font_size=”20px” line_height=”1.2″ text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top_medium=”2px” margin_bottom_medium=”2px” margin_top_small=”2px” margin_bottom_small=”2px” margin_top=”2px” margin_bottom=”2px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Tools and Resources for SEO Compliance[/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”font_17″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]
Everything we’ve discussed today—and the purpose of Google’s SEO update—is about improving website searchability. Your goals and Google’s are completely aligned in every way that matters. Every effort that goes into improving your content will not only help you satisfy SEO best practices for 2024, but they will also improve your search engine performance and make your customers happier.
Staying ahead of issues requires continuous evaluation of site performance. Here are a few SEO compliance tools that will help you do that:
- Google Analytics is free and helps you monitor trends and user behavior. Consistent monitoring enables you to identify site traffic anomalies in real time and will help you assess the impact of the core update.
- Use site rank tools like Moz, SemRush, or Ahrefs to analyze keyword performance over time. Fluctuations may indicate a need for strategic change.
- Use HubSpot or the Behavior Flow report in Google Analytics to gain insight into how people interact with your content.
[/fusion_text][fusion_title title_type=”text” loop_animation=”once” marquee_direction=”left” marquee_speed=”15000″ rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ title_link=”off” link_target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”podkova font_20″ content_align=”left” size=”3″ fusion_font_family_title_font=”Podkova” fusion_font_variant_title_font=”800″ font_size=”20px” line_height=”1.2″ text_color=”var(–awb-color4)” text_shadow=”no” text_shadow_blur=”0″ text_stroke=”no” text_stroke_size=”1″ text_overflow=”none” margin_top_medium=”2px” margin_bottom_medium=”2px” margin_top_small=”2px” margin_bottom_small=”2px” margin_top=”2px” margin_bottom=”2px” gradient_font=”no” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ style_type=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Conclusion: The Benefits of Staying Updated with SEO Practices[/fusion_title][fusion_text hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”font_17″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″]Keeping up with the latest SEO techniques might seem like a full-time job. Google’s algorithmic updates often land seemingly without warning, leaving you scrambling to get back on page one.
Big updates tend to happen every few months, so it’s always worthwhile to follow @searchliason on X, as this is where Google announces its larger initiatives.
In the meantime, monitor your site performance, analyze your existing content for relevance, and focus strongly on quality content and technical SEO to improve user experience and answer search intent.
If you need help with any of the above, the team at Costello Creative Group is always ready to leap into action! Set up a call today to learn how we can help.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]