The Foundations of SEO Still Hold Strong
A few weeks ago I sat down to play one of my favorite video games – Age of Empires II. Before I could play the game there was an update that needed to run. The update ran quickly and smoothly with no issues. Little did I know, there was a BIG change to the game I loved. While the game play was the same, many settings changed. The objective was still the same, but it wasn’t the same relaxing game I’d played so many times before. I had to find new strategies and tactics to play the game.
Thankfully, search engine optimization doesn’t work like that. Sure, Google will roll out updates and changes to their algorithms regularly, but the foundational element of SEO has remained the same for years. If you’re just starting out in SEO or been at it for years, the same rules that governed SEO 10 and 15 years ago still apply today. SEO is still all about quality content, keywords, and helping your audience find the information they are looking for.
Quality Content is Still the Cornerstone
Never has there been an update from Google that has ever changed the importance or value of clear, helpful, and relevant content. If your website’s content is answering the questions your audience is asking, providing information and resources your audience finds valuable and impactful in their lives, and presenting it all in an easy to read format – you’re doing SEO the right way. I see no reason to believe that quality content won’t be the cornerstone of SEO anytime soon.
Keywords Are Still Key
Maybe that should be phrased “keywords are still key when they are used naturally.” The days of treating keywords like stuffing at thanksgiving and stuffing as much into the bird as possible are long gone. That said – keywords are still essential to SEO. The focus instead is on using keywords and terms that reflect the wording your audience actually uses while doing searches. What your ideal customer would type into Google while looking to find a business like yours? Those words and phrases need to be worked into your content in natural and helpful ways.
Consistency Matters More Than Hacks
You don’t need any secret hacks, gimmicks, or tricks to rank well in Google. Quality content, great keywords, and regular updates and additions are the hat trick of SEO. Showing up with new and updated content regularly is what will result in SEO wins. Consistently making content updates to your site, keeping an active blog, keeping content fresh, modern, and relevant is key. It can’t be stressed enough, SEO is not about gaming the system, it’s about building trust and confidence with your audience repeatedly.
Focus On Your Audience
While we want Google to reward our websites with a higher ranking, our main focus should be our human audience, our customers and potential customers. When a website focuses on what its audience wants to learn, search engines tend to follow and reward a higher ranking. Google’s primary objective is to show its searchers the best and most relevant content. Knowing that, the more you align your website and its content with your customers’ needs and desires and goals, the better your SEO will perform and the better your ROI will be.
Unlike Your Favorite Game, SEO Doesn’t Get Rewritten Overnight
The tactics or “game play” of SEO doesn’t update or change the way video games sometimes do. The same strategy that worked five and ten and fifteen years ago – writing great content, using real keywords, and updating your site regularly -still works today. There’s no surprise updates or patch that changes everything and forces you to have to figure out the video game you love all over again.
