Do you agree that Google is one of the world's most popular search engines?
If so, you are right! With 7.9 billion individuals worldwide, over 4.3 billion active users use Google as their go-to source for online information.
These numbers show that Google has a strong technological power over other search engines. Moreover, 92.24 per cent of the market share is controlled by Google. They continue to dominate the digital world by updating their algorithm according to what the users or marketers need. (source: wpdevshed)
In this article, we will discuss the latest Google algorithm update and how you can ensure that you have properly optimised content.
The latest Google Algorithm Update
One of the most recent algorithmic changes Google made was the "helpful content update" at the end of August. This update was created to promote websites with genuinely helpful material for users rather than focusing on keyword-heavy content with no real substance. If your website's content is not "useful," you may experience a decrease in traffic from Google searches.
That's why if you want your website to rank higher in search results, it's time to start creating valuable content for your users and not just focus on your SEO.
How to create helpful content for your audience?
There's no shortage of advice out there on how to produce great content. But with Google's ever-changing algorithms, it can be tough to keep up with what exactly the search engine giant is looking for. Here are a few tips to make sure your content is up to Google's standards:
1. Write for your Audience First
It's easy to get caught up in trying to please the search engines, but at the end of the day, your content needs to be enjoyable and informative for your readers. First and foremost, write with your audience in mind, and the SEO benefits will follow.
If you're not sure who your audience is, take some time to consider who you want to reach with your content. Once you know your target reader, you can tailor your content to their needs and interests. Remember that your target reader may not be as familiar with your topic as you are, so write clearly and concisely.
2. Keep it fresh
One of the best ways to keep your website or blog fresh is to add new content regularly. Google loves fresh content, so by adding new material regularly, you can help improve your site's ranking in search results.
Aim for at least one new piece of content per week if you can. It could be a new blog post, video, or even a simple news update. By keeping your site updated with fresh content, you'll not only please Google but also keep your visitors coming back for more!
3. Structure your posts
When it comes to SEO, the way you structure your content is important. Breaking your content into smaller paragraphs with headlines makes it easier to read and more likely to rank well in Google searches.
In addition, using headlines also helps search engines understand what your page is about. By including keywords in your headlines, you can ensure that your pages are more likely to appear in relevant searches.
4. Promote your content
Promote your material using social media and other methods to make sure it reaches as many people as possible. Your chances of ranking highly on Google will improve the more people view and share your content.
There are several ways you can promote your content through social media. One way is to post links to your articles or blog posts on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other platforms.
Top 3 Benefits of Optimising your content
There are a number of reasons why optimising your content is essential. Perhaps the most obvious reason is that it can help you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), leading to more website visitors. But there are other benefits as well, such as increased engagement from readers and improved conversions.
Let's take a closer look at each of these benefits in turn:
Higher Rankings in SERPs
As we mentioned, one of the main benefits of optimising your content is that it can help you achieve higher rankings in SERPs. This is because search engines like Google use a variety of factors to determine where to rank websites and individual web pages. One of these factors is keyword usage and density, and now the quality of your content.
In other words, if you want to rank higher, you must create valuable content for your target audience and optimise your page with the right keywords.
Increased Engagement from Readers
Another benefit of optimising your content is increased engagement from readers. This means that people are more likely to read through your entire article or blog post rather than just skimming over it. And the longer someone spends on your website, the more likely they will convert into a customer or client.
There are several ways to increase readers' engagement, including using strong headlines, adding images and infographics, and using bullet points and lists. But one of the most important things you can do is to write quality content that is interesting and informative. If your content is well-written and engaging, readers will likely stick around and keep reading.
Improved Conversions
Finally, another benefit of optimising your content is improved conversions.
This means that more people who read your content will take the desired action, whether signing up for your email list, downloading a white paper or e-book, or making a purchase.
There are several ways to improve conversions, but one of the most important is to include a strong call to action (CTA). A CTA is an instruction to the reader telling them what you want them to do next. For example, if you want people to sign up for your email list, your CTA might say, "Sign up now to get our latest offers."
If you're not sure how to write a strong CTA, there are a few things you can keep in mind:
- Make it short and sweet.
- Use actionable language that tells the reader exactly what they need to do.
- Include a sense of urgency to encourage people to take action right away.
