Changes to Google Search Rankings Algorithm
Changes are coming to the Google Algorithm and Interactive Schools are on hand with a plan to address these!
We’re also here to offer a brief explanation as to what’s changing and how your website will be impacted. The key areas to be noted are:
Google Badging
Google has stated that by next year, they will introduce a visual indicator to show within search results which pages meet their page experience specifications. These will include Accelerated Mobile Page (AMP) icons as well as slow and mobile-friendly labels. While Google is yet to announce the shape, size, and position of such indicators, there is a good chance that users will choose to view sites with positive icons over others. It’s also a mark of how seriously Google are taking their forthcoming page experience guidelines.
Mobile-first design
Google will be indexing and grading from mobile sites exclusively. This means website layout should be fairly simple and the site navigation optimized for a mobile user experience. Both of these are features Interactive Schools strives to provide on all client sites.
SEM / Ads
Ads will now appear as a regular search result.
Mixed sentence length
The most effective webpage content will consist of a mix of long sentences and short sentences in text.
Long tail keywords
Search results will focus on a batch of keywords in one sentence rather than a single keyword in order to provide the most relevant information to users. It’s important to remain cautious and not spam keywords as this has the opposite effect and negatively affects SEO.
Consistent publication of engaging content
Google tests new content to see if it responds well to the search intent of the keywords inputted. If the searchers’ behaviour indicates that they’re getting their questions answered through your content, your page will be promoted in the search results list. As a general rule, Google’s AI prizes thought leadership content produced at least twice per week.
Niche expertise
Being a niche expert means having a hub of 10+ authoritative pages revolving around the same “nucleus” keyword. For example, the keyword “crm software” could be the nucleus keyword for a CRM company which has industry landing pages targeting “crm software for small business” “crm software for real estate” and “crm software for manufacturing”; and FAQ landing pages targeting “crm software pricing” “crm software advantages” and “best crm software 2021”. The consistency of the nucleus keyword across the pages of the website creates a kind of magnetism: the site attracts traffic from any Google search containing the nucleus keyword.
Meta tags
Consistent and relevant keyword batch usage in your title tag should contain relevant multiple keywords. Adjectives around a keyword are important for readability.
YouTube and video
YouTube is the 2nd most popular search engine globally. Increasing the quantity of video footage in relation to your school and exposure on the platform is ideal for boosting SEO.
Dwell time
Google also values the amount of time users spend on your pages, prioritising sites with higher usage time in search results. For this reason it’s important to look at increasing the amount of time users spend on your website.
For further information and support with your website in light of these changes, please contact your Client Happiness Manager. They will be happy to address any queries you have.