As the year comes to an end, there is a lot of SEO News coming down the pipe that will affect your search results (and your rankings) in 2010. We'll take a look at all three of the major search updates including Google Caffeine, Real Time Search and the new site hierarchies that are being displayed in Google search results...
Google Caffeine was set to roll out with the New Year, just after the holidays. This is basically a new version of Google that will increase size, indexing speed, accuracy, etc. Matt Cutts explains Google Caffeine in this video:
I haven't yet read anything definitive on how this may affect SEO, if at all, but will definitely keep my ear to the ground. For now it's safe to say that good site structure, quality content and relevant inbound links are still the key.
As Matt mentions in the video, the Caffeine update will allow Google to handle the power and speed of Real Time Search...
Real Time Search
Real Time Search is probably the biggest and most exciting update for most online marketers, though Rand Fishkin predicts it will fade away in 2010.
Google describes it as a way to discover breaking news on the web with real-time updates from news, blogs and social networks. They put out this video earlier this month to demonstrate Real Time Search results:
What does this mean to you? As a marketer, you can now easily trump the current top results with a simple tweet or a new blog post... This is huge.
Tweets are showing up in Google search within minutes, if not seconds.
If you are not already actively blogging and using Twitter & Facebook, now would be the time to start. Now as in right now 😉
Site Hierarchy Displayed in Search Results
Last month Google announced that site hierarchies would be displayed in SERPs, to help searchers see relevant information about each individual result.
This is similar to what we call breadcrumb navigation on websites. Here is an example given by Google:
What does this mean for you? Take some time to examine your site structure. Use categories to group micro-topics (or sets of products) on your blog or website, and make sure your categories are descriptive.
Best,
p.s. Still unsure about SEO? See Web Page Optimization (free tutorial & checklist) and download the free SEO Fast Start guide by Dan Thies
About Lynn Terry
Dang! Some of this stuff is almost over my head, but I'm keeping up! (I think) 😛
Here's my best tip as an "Advanced Newbie":
When all else fails or falls behind, I can always go to my Google Analytics acct and SEE for myself, Absolute PROOF what Has worked and what IS WORKING!
Analytics is not guessing and or hoping, it is seeing what you Actually Are doing right 😉
What do you think Lynn, am I on a good track?
Gary Anderson II (from TN)
aka- @GanderCo
It's always good measure to check your stats each month and see where you traffic is coming from, which keyword phrases visitors are using to find you, etc. This information is GOLD and can help you fine tune your pages and your call-to-action.
That said, it's not SEO as it's "after the fact". SEO starts with keyword research and on-page optimization, along with quality inbound links.
Yes Lynn! "Lately", I seem to have my nose stuck into my "Stats" more so than my super awesome keyword stuff like WordTracker and Market Samurai.
"Stats" give you hindsight. "Hindsight" is 20/20! Hey, Cool! I just made that up, I think I'll quote that on Twitter 😛
Gary Anderson II
aka- GanderCo
Thank you for the information .. until now I still do not understand about SEO and how to optimize to make our blogs more visitors and get high PR. If you do not mind to give advice or guidance for my blog. What should I fix or I add??
You can find a lot of great SEO info on Lynn's blog in the SEO category http://www.clicknewz.com/category/seo-sem/
Hope this helps!
If you need a site review, you can use my discussion forum at
http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com/members/
Also see my tutorial on Web Page Optimization
It seems as though the second I get a grasp of the "newest" SEO technique, there's something else that I need to get a handle on. I guess it's good to know that at least there are no new tricks up my sleeve that I should have.
If anything, this article has shown me that building all of my websites on a content management system such as WordPress, etc is a great move strategically since static content websites don't seem to have the upper edge any more, and will benefit greatly from Real Time Search, etc.
Exactly. There's nothing dramatically different to do for optimization with these updates, except more of the same - assuming you are already optimizing and using Social Media. Exciting stuff!
Very happy to see that news about the breadcrumb trail. Installed a silo structure on my website recently which works brilliantly for doing this and it shows up on Google results.
Good article Lynn. I always learn a lot from your posts and really appreciate it! I wish you a Happy New Year. Regards, Martin
Thank you Martin - Happy New Year to you as well! 😀
Building the site on the WordPress CMS gives your static site, all the benefits of a blog site like auto-pinging and quick indexing of new pages.
Add a corresponding update on Twitter and you have some good social moves in your favor.
Caffeine and real time search will probably have some negative effects on the large search volume keywords and phrases, and hot trends search terms.
But for micro niches and long-tail keywords, I assume there won't be much difference.
Lol, great video with Mat Cutts and fantastic real time search video. This article has greater informed me about Google Caffine, and I am greatful for that!
Thanks very much 🙂
With this new Caffeine algorithm, and Google indexing so many more sites, I've noticed some of my rank drop, by a lot.