The Google SEO Apocalypse - How to Beat the Algorithm

💡 Future of SEO

Google dropped a big update this March. It's turning the SEO world upside down.

Why should you care? SEO is one of the biggest (free) levers you can pull to bring in new users and grow your business on autopilot.

This edition will break down the nitty-gritty of this update, why it's a game changer, and how you can make sure your site comes out on top.

Let’s jump in!

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⭐️ How to do SEO After Google’s New Helpful Content Update

The March 2024 Google update brought significant changes:

1. Complete deindexing of low-quality sites

2. Faster penalties

3. New vulnerability for previously safe sites

4. A crackdown on outdated and erroneous content; and

5. A closer look at AI-generated content sites.

This all points to a tighter focus on quality, relevance, and the user experience.

Sites continue to navigate these heightened standards set by Google to maintain or improve search rankings. For a detailed exploration, check the article here.

1) Focus on Quality Content

Understand your audience's challenges and create content that offers solutions, not just information. This could mean tutorials, case studies, or deep dives into industry trends. Focus on addressing questions your audience is really asking.

Quality content effectively meets the user's search intent, provides in-depth and accurate information, and is engaging and well-structured.

Resources like Google's Webmaster Guidelines and the Content Marketing Institute offer guidelines and insights on creating high-quality content. They emphasize the importance of understanding your audience, researching thoroughly, and presenting information in a clear, concise manner.

Here are some things you should avoid:

• Steer clear of AI tools that only churn out keyword-stuffed content.

• Avoid jumping on trending keywords that don't align with your main topics.

• Don't simply copy-paste from other sites or product descriptions.

• Overusing keywords can do more harm than good.

• Ensure your titles accurately reflect the content's value.

• Avoid creating pages that leave readers needing more information to fully understand the topic.

• When referencing other content, always aim to provide additional insights or value.

2) Enhance User Experience (UX)

Your website's usability directly impacts your SEO. This includes optimizing for mobile users, reducing load times with technical tweaks, and creating an intuitive navigation structure. A smooth, enjoyable user journey encourages longer visits and improves engagement rates.

3) Leverage E-E-A-T

Showcasing real-world expertise and credibility is more crucial than ever. This means highlighting your team's expertise, sharing customer testimonials, and producing content that's recognized by other authoritative figures in your industry.

E-E-A-T stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It's an extension of Google's criteria for assessing content quality, adding the dimension of personal experience. This means that your content should reflect genuine personal or professional experience.

The emphasis is on content that's not only factual and reliable but also offers unique insights gained through direct experience in the field.

4) Use AI Responsibly

While AI can enhance content creation, it's important to use it as a tool rather than a crutch. Ensure any AI-generated content is indistinguishable from human-made content in quality. Content should always align with Google's latest guidelines to avoid penalties.

5) Monitor Performance and Adjust

SEO isn't set-and-forget. Use tools to track how your content performs, identify which strategies are working (and which aren't), and adapt accordingly.

For monitoring and adjusting your SEO performance, consider using these tools:

1) Google Analytics for traffic insights

2) SEMrush or Ahrefs for keyword and competitor analysis

3) Google Search Console for website health and search performance

4) Moz for overall SEO score

These tools offer a comprehensive view of your SEO strategy's effectiveness and areas for improvement.