Though ranking in Google can be a huge help for your business, it can also mean you\u2019re quite reliant on it. Therefore, when it makes sudden changes to its algorithms, it can have a knock-on effect on your business. What\u2019s more, these amendments to its algorithms are seldom announced in advance, meaning that you\u2019ll only be notified if you\u2019re in the loop and constantly checking or following Google\u2019s social media accounts where they sometimes make announcements once there\u2019s been an update.<\/p>\n
The best way to prevent any updates harming your business is to \u201cGoogle update-proof\u201d your website. But, how can you actually do this in practice? Take a look at our tips below.<\/p>\n
What is a Google Update?<\/strong><\/p>\n When Google announces an update<\/a>, it means they\u2019ve made changes to their algorithm. Every update is designed to make the search engines results better for its users. After all, Google has always been a company that strives to improve its user experience.<\/p>\n So, if all Google wants to do is index better content for its users, it seems strange that some websites end up losing traffic. On the other hand, there are also plenty of websites that may benefit from the update. Many believe this is because it depends on the nature of what Google and updated, and the content on the business website.<\/p>\n How Does Google\u2019s Algorithm Work?<\/strong><\/p>\n Shrouded under a clouded mystery, there\u2019s little actual insight into how exactly Google\u2019s algorithms truly work. Google describes it as a mix of:<\/p>\n These ranking systems are made up of a whole series of algorithms, to give users the most useful, relevant information. To help ensure that these algorithms are meeting the high standards of relevance and quality, they test them and use external Search Quality Raters from around the world. They need to follow the strict guidelines set by Google in order to find the most relevant websites.<\/p>\n Sometimes SEO Can\u2019t Help<\/strong><\/p>\n Many businesses use SEO service providers<\/a> to help boost their rankings on Google. However, no SEO will be able to save you from an algorithm update. Although it\u2019s great for increasing your brand awareness and building your website\u2019s internet presence, SEO can\u2019t prevent the effects of Google\u2019s changes. That\u2019s because SEO doesn\u2019t guarantee your website\u2019s rankings, it simply helps them as much as possible.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t mean that SEO is completely useless in terms of Google\u2019s changing algorithms. SEO can make your website seem more trustworthy to Google, especially if you\u2019ve built links to other authoritative websites. Similarly, you\u2019ll also have a better understanding of how to rank for your chosen keywords. You could say that in some instances, you\u2019ll have a better chance of hanging onto your ranking spot if you\u2019ve got SEO focused content. But this isn\u2019t always a certainty.<\/p>\n Ensure Your Website is Content Focused<\/strong><\/p>\n Google appreciates good content. In fact, it\u2019s one of the things that Google\u2019s algorithm favors. Quick, 500-word blogs stuffed with keywords just aren\u2019t cutting it anymore. If you really want to Google update-proof for online business, you\u2019ve got to ensure you\u2019ve got content \u2013 and lots of it. Relevant, useful content tells Google that you know what you\u2019re talking about. The content that you publish on your website or blog should always be targeted towards your visitors.<\/p>\n All content should provide value to your visitors. It should also be well written, and keywords should be scattered as and when you can include them, meaning they\u2019re as naturally placed as possible. Many of the websites that are hit by Google updates have poor quality content that\u2019s been filtered out. When you produce and publish content, whether you realize it or not, you\u2019re customizing it according to Google\u2019s current algorithms. That means, whenever there\u2019s an update, you lose your advantage.<\/p>\n The general rule of thumb is to focus on user experience. If you focus on your readers and user intent from the beginning, then you stand a better chance against those pesky algorithm changes. Producing and publishing high-quality content could never be neglected by Google, and it should help your site hold its own in the long run.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t Rely on Google<\/strong><\/p>\n The best way to Google-proof your online business? Don\u2019t depend on it. There are many ways you can generate quality traffic to your website without relying on Google & one of them is the Social media marketing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n