How Has Hummingbird Changed Google Search?

One of the largest changes that Google’s Hummingbird update has brought to the mix has been its introduction of semantic search protocols. In a nutshell, semantic search is a form of structured data validation that can do much more than just match certain search keywords to a website or blog. Rather, it digs much deeper into what the user is looking for and can achieve much more relevant results.

This updated has proved to be a great benefit to anyone using Google Search to find what they need. However, it has also sparked a considerable amount of controversy among bloggers and the SEO community as a whole regarding how to properly optimize their web content.

Is SEO Still Relevant After Hummingbird?

Google’s latest update has brought about massive changes to the internet marketing landscape. Some previous self-proclaimed “SEO gurus” have even begun hanging up their hats, insinuating that it’s no longer possible to optimize their web content for better search ranking results. While, over the years, Google has removed ranking factors that have been exploited by internet marketers, Hummingbird has by no means taken away all the benefits of SEO.

It’s true that old SEO tricks like “keyword stuffing”, spam tactics and link-building campaigns have all been all but eliminated from Google’s keyword ranking factors. However, this hasn’t removed the importance of SEO, rather, it has forced web owners to reevaluate the most important aspect of any good website – its content.

How Should Your Content Be Optimized?

One of the biggest mistakes search engine marketing professionals have made over the years is constantly changing their content. It seems like every month web developers are continuously altering keywords, titles, subject matter, etc. The fact of the matter is, well-written, informative content will always be engaging and shouldn’t need much alteration over time.

That being said; most people are now finding it beneficial to use SEO content writing services in order to maximize their SEO results. This can be a great investment, as semantic search focuses on natural language and targeted subject matter. An SEO content writer who is well informed on these new protocols and your overall ranking goals can create the content around these new requirements, giving you the time you need to expand your social media outreach.

Overall, the SEO landscape has vastly changed over the years. The ranking factors that Google uses will likely adapt in time and marketing professionals will need to stay well-informed and up-to-date. One thing that remains unchanged, however, is the importance of having quality content on your website or blog. By keeping this your first and foremost priority, you will no doubt survive any new algorithm update Google tosses your way.

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Search engines tend to prioritize web pages with oodles of engaging write-ups. Due to this fact, many members of the SEO blogging community take the opportunity to optimize their content by targeting specific keywords in order to help their web addresses climb to the top of the SERP (Search Engine Results Pages).

Although targeting keywords in your web content is a proven method to generate more traffic, most people make the mistake of targeting keywords that are way outside of their reach, meaning too many other bloggers are focusing on the same term. This is where researching and using “long tail” keywords comes in.

Here are some tips on how you can use this type of optimization effectively.

What Does “Long Tail” Mean?

A long tail keyword can be any search term made up of three or more words. The end game of using long tail keywords is to target very specific searches and limit the amount of competition you have while doing so.

An example of this would be to focus on one specific term like “shoes”, and build descriptive phrase around that word. What type of shoes and what sizes are most suitable? If you add those answers into the mix, you’re now left with a search phrase that looks like “size seven woman’s shoes”.

By targeting specific terms like this, you lower the amount of searches you generate from each keyword phrase, but you will maximize the amount of conversions you receive since the content is relevant to what is being requested.

How to Research Long Tail Keywords

When you first start targeting longer keyword phrases, it can become a bit challenging to decide what the most practical terms are to use. Most SEO blogging professionals make use of keyword generation tools to help get them started.

There are a number to choose from, including Google Adwords, Market Samurai and Wordtracker to name a few. It will be a bit of trial and error to find the right search term that generates the most amount of traffic, but the extra time you spend finding these little gems will pay you back ten-fold.

Overall, choosing the right keywords to target in your content will be one of the most time consuming, yet important aspects of your SEO campaign. If you don’t put in enough research, you can exhaust your efforts and resources in targeting keywords that bring you little traffic.

However, by utilizing certain optimization tools and creating specific long tail keyword phrases, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you will begin to generate quality web traffic to your blog.

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