DWG Archives

Search ranking in 2024

Christmas passed us by and then came the new year, and all that passed way too quickly. As 2024 progresses, I am slightly annoyed with the Gaggle of Gurus, who are again decrying the coming doomsday.

The loudest honks and cackles came from TikTok, and Instagram’s social media, and digital marketing experts who pronounced search optimization near dead. Another “smarter digital marketer” confidently pronounced SEO to be gone in 2 years, and yet another was sure that Google would be irrelevant within the next five years.

Oy Gevalt !!! These pronouncements may help the source close half a dozen more SMO contracts but will not make them credible.

Search Ranking and SEO are here to stay

For as long as there is information, someone or some artifact will be searching for it, and as long as someone is searching, there will be those who will devise means of becoming more prominent in the eyes of the searching party. Thus, there will be search optimization if there is a search.

Furthermore, we will use our current web format for the foreseeable future (at least another decade). So, the Search Engine Optimization will be around for a while. Will it look the same? Definitely, Not! But when has it?

It has been nothing but changes for those of us engaged in SEO. In 2015, when I gave a talk regarding Schema and Structured Data, I had to put up with less-than-pleasant comments from those who thought SEO was a relic of the past. Even in 2021, amid the pandemic, some jokers were doing webinars on why SEO is dead, as SEM is the only way to go. Of course, if you read their website, the same bunch are SEO experts from way back and will name their love child Structured Data.

In 2024, AI-powered search ranking will become more prominent.

We are heading headlong into a new age of information curation, and the methods of optimization, old and new, will be changed, revised, and improved, but search optimization will remain.

There will be turmoil. Since August, we have already begun seeing the gyrations of SERP and the 8.5 seismic changes in search rankings. So, we need to prepare for this change, which will mean getting acclimated to changing our optimization methods.

Here are my predictions of what we will be doing for improved visibility in both human and AI search in 2024:

With Google’s new AI model, Gemini, and the evolution of the Search Ranking (Search Engine Results Pages or SERP) through Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Bing Copilot and its ubiquitous entanglement with all things Microsoft, change will accelerate. We will find that content quality and improved user experience will contribute even more to high search ranking.

There are Five concepts we should take to heart to improve our search rankings for 2024.

As rich results in Google SGE and SERPs evolve, optimizing for these elements becomes increasingly crucial. This involves creating diverse content types that are easily accessible and engaging, ensuring your content stands out in increasingly competitive SERPs.

- - Focus on publishing fast-loading pages with relevant, helpful, unique content.
  - Prioritize experiential/informational videos, web stories, podcasts, webinars, and visual optimization.
  - Utilize FAQ and People Also Ask (PAA) sections effectively.

A robust content strategy should be data-driven, creating content that meets user needs at every stage of their journey. This involves understanding user intent, leveraging buyer personas, and aligning content with user experience (UX).

- - Identify and fill relevant content gaps.
  - Regularly review content performance.
  - Create personalized content based on user intent and touchpoints.
  - Focus on various types of helpful content, ensuring high levels of Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness, and Experience.

User engagement and experience are critical factors in Google’s search results. Brands should aim to enhance their content’s overall quality and user experience to meet and exceed searcher expectations. As a by-product, Personalization will become more significant in search. Brands should leverage customer data to deliver personalized experiences, ensuring content relevance and engagement based on user profiles and behaviors.

- - Improve the quality of content and digital asset experience.
  - Focus on creating expert-level content that is compelling and meets searcher needs.
  - Integrate tightly with CDP and CRM systems for personalized experiences.
  - Focus on clean data, audience segmentation, and data-driven campaigns.

For most brands, a more personalized and localized approach is necessary. This involves optimizing the entire local consumer journey, not just listings management. Leveraging brand mentions and social proof is crucial. Brands should focus on understanding customers’ needs and ensuring their presence in relevant conversations and platforms.

- - Add localized experiences to build expertise, engagement, and traffic.
  - Focus on local posts, quality images, videos, and web stories.
  - Understand customer questions/topics and create targeted strategies.
  - Earn brand mentions and citations from respected sources and relevant influencers.

Finally, a multichannel approach is essential to capitalize on SERPs’ limited inventory for organic listings. Brands should be present and consistent across different channels to maximize visibility and engagement.

- - Optimize customer journeys across various channels and content types, including videos, images, FAQs, PAAs, news, and webinars.
  - Ensure consistency and presence across all channels.
  - Your presence in all ports of call is required so you can no longer forget about social media

These action lists provide a comprehensive roadmap for brands to adapt and thrive in the evolving digital marketing landscape of 2024. By focusing on these areas, brands can stay ahead in the competitive search ranking and digital marketing world.

Dream Warrior Group, a Los Angeles-based web design and digital marketing Company, provides solutions for your online marketing needs. Our expertise includes Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Posts and marketing, and Google PPC campaigns. Call us now at 818.610.3316 or click here.

Leveraging Google’s New Forums and Profiles Structured Data

Google’s recent announcement about supporting structured data for discussion forums and profile pages marks a significant development in the SEO landscape. This update enables Google to better identify and display information from web forums and personal profiles in search results. As an SEO expert, understanding and utilizing this new structured data is crucial for enhancing search visibility and the representation of first-hand online content.

Google has introduced two new types of structured data: ‘ProfilePage’ and ‘DiscussionForumPosting.’ Google Search will better identify essential information about content creators, such as their name, social media handle, followers, profile photo, and content popularity, using the ‘ProfilePage’ markup. This structured data aims to deliver accurate information about creators in Google Search. On the other hand, the ‘DiscussionForumPosting’ markup is for forums where users share personal perspectives and experiences, helping Google surface online discussions more effectively.

This update has significant implications for SEO strategies. Implementing the new structured data can improve the appearance of webpages in Google, potentially increasing click-through rates. It offers more visibility for individual creators, allowing them to stand out in search results alongside larger publishers. This democratization of content visibility can be particularly beneficial for those relying on their brand for visibility. Additionally, the new markup will enable Google to better identify content creators and their information, aiding audience growth.

SEO professionals should start by identifying which markup is most relevant to their content to leverage these new structured data types. For forums structured around questions and answers, Google recommends using Q&A markup, while DiscussionForumPosting is better suited for more open-ended forums. Integrate the appropriate markup into the website’s HTML code. Utilizing Google Search Console’s new reporting capabilities and the Rich Results Test tool is crucial for monitoring the implementation and ensuring the markup is correctly validated.

Google’s continuous expansion in structured data capabilities highlights the growing importance of rich, detailed, and accurate data in SEO. This development underscores the need for businesses and SEO professionals to adopt a proactive approach to implementing structured data. By doing so, they can stay ahead in the evolving SEO landscape and be well-positioned to take advantage of future Google updates and features.

Google’s new structured data for discussion forums and profile pages presents a significant opportunity for enhancing search visibility and the representation of first-hand content. SEO professionals and businesses should embrace these changes as part of their ongoing SEO strategy to represent their content in search results accurately and compellingly.

For those in the SEO field, now is the time to implement these new structured data types. Staying informed about the latest trends and updates in SEO is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge. Remember, in the world of SEO, adapting to new developments is not just beneficial; it’s essential for success.

Dream Warrior Group, a Los Angeles Based web design and digital marketing Company, providing solutions for your online marketing needs. Our expertise includes Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Posts & Marketing & Google PPC campaigns. Call us now at 818.610.3316 or click here.

Web Accessibility

When we talk about web accessibility, clients are frequently confused. Web accessibility is an issue that affects everyone, not just those with disabilities. Understanding, using, and preparing for web accessibility can be difficult, and achieving full compliance is best done in stages. Every client must address web accessibility proactively to be most effective, which includes educating oneself about accessibility, generating accessible content, and making that content easily accessible to all online users.

Web accessibility ensures that all users, regardless of ability, condition, or circumstance, may access a website. It focuses on removing barriers to website access and taking an active approach to constructing an utterly accessible website for everyone, including persons with visual, cognitive, physical, and aural challenges.

Four primary Reasons for becoming accessible:

It is inclusive and allows everyone, including persons with impairments, equal access.
It improves usability.
It’s the responsible thing to do.
It is required by law.

Web Accessibility is inclusive and allows everyone, including persons with impairments, equal access.

The National Center for Education Statistics survey in 2011 found that 11% of undergraduate students reported having a handicap, and current data(opens in new window) discovered that nearly 13% of the U.S. population has a disability.

Most clients have inclusivity as an implicit or explicit part of their mission. Excluding such a large proportion of the population would counter our clients’ mission of being inclusive, collaborative, and responsive institutions.

Web Accessibility improves usability.

When we consider accessibility when designing online material, it improves usability and typically leads to a more intuitive user experience. Online material that satisfies accessibility standards will likely be user-friendly for all. People who do not have disabilities can benefit from accessible design, especially if they are in a restricting position such as:

When watching a video in a noisy or quiet area, read the captions.

Changing the brightness of your screen in a dark or bright room

Reading a presentation transcript to reinforce what you’ve learned

When the mouse is not working, use the keyboard to navigate a website.

It’s the responsible thing to do.

People with impairments can actively participate in our society thanks to accessibility. Most organizations believe to have a certain level of societal duty in addition to being leaders of innovation and growth. This philosophy, as well as our clients’ objective, is supported by accessibility.

It is required by law.

Many federal and state laws mandate organizations to make their electronic and web content accessible to people with impairments. Violations of these standards can result in the loss of funding (for non-profits and art venues that look to federal grants for funding), as some colleges have faced legal action for noncompliance with web accessibility laws. You can find more information regarding the laws behind accessibility Here.

ACCESSIBILITY BENEFITS EVERYONE.

Accessible online material ensures that everyone receives your message. Inclusive messages mean that we can all participate and get the same information. It promotes society by allowing more people to participate actively, sharing their thoughts and perspectives.

ACCESSIBILITY MAKES FINANCIAL SENSE.

Websites and online material that are easily accessible are more likely to attract a larger audience of potential users. For art organizations, this involves broadening their reach into various local regions, which could result in an increase in website views, membership, community goodwill, ticket purchases, and other factors.

WHAT DOES WEB ACCESSIBILITY LOOK LIKE

WCAG is an international standard that explains how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. It covers web sites, applications, and other digital content. **

Four Principles of WCAG – Brief Overview

Perceivable: Web content is made available to the senses – sight, hearing, and/or touch
Operable: Functionality is available from a keyboard, users have time to read and use content, does not cause seizures or physical reaction, easy to navigate & input modalities beyond keyboard
Understandable: Content is readable and understandable to the broadest audience possible, including when it is read aloud by text-to-speech.Robust: Content is compatible with different browsers, assistive technologies, and other user agents.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

Setup comprehensible alt tags for your images – tag your images
Create all the forms with labels and tags
Provide descriptions for buttons and navigation
Create proper page headings and titles that are informative
Do not have extremely sharp colors or flashing content that may trigger physical problems
Use an online checker similar to Wave to make sure you’re ok

To get our presentation on accessibility and the arts, please click here.

How To Create Snippets for improved SERP Ranking

As a marketer, you understand the significance of creating appealing content for your target audience. With enhanced SERP techniques becoming more common, ensuring your content stands out from the crowd is more important than ever. We will show you how to create snippets and featured content for SERP features.

Because SEO is continuously evolving, you must adjust your strategies since any strategy will only be successful for a limited time. Unfortunately, when SEO adjustments occur, you are never informed of the implications for your website. As a result, you may need to hire an SEO agency that keeps current on the latest trends and can adopt the best SEO tactics for your company’s needs.

The launch of Knowledge Graph in the 2012 Google Algorithm update was one of the most significant developments. A knowledge graph is a web of relations that links one piece of data to numerous other articles. With rich snippets in the SERPs, Google actively works behind every online search. Knowledge bases assist Google in achieving its goal, which is to “organize the world’s information and make it broadly usable.”

Are you interested in learning what a snippet is, how to rank for one, how to get a featured snippet in the SERP features, and how to find out if any of your material is in use as a snippet? Find out by reading on.

What Are Featured Snippets?

Snippets are information-rich data that the first page of SERPs gives higher priority. Organic local packs, structured data, top links, or the conspicuous box, which appears in the upper right corner of the SERPs, are familiar places to locate snippets. 7.3% of SERPs have double-featured, and 19% have featured snippets.

Technically speaking, they are specific pieces of data that Google believes relate to your search query. The Google Knowledge Graph data network locates information about movies, directors, publishers, authors, locations, reviews, and other pertinent topics.

Since the launch of Knowledge Graph, snippets have slowly gained importance and are displayed more frequently with every search. A study found that featured snippets compromise 30% of all queries. Because they can quickly access all the information they need, feature snippets make users’ internet browsing more enjoyable. Let’s talk about how to qualify for one now.

How To Create Snippets in SERP ?

Create High-Quality Content

Make sure you consistently provide fantastic content. Verify resources and linking, and enhance the entire process of developing material. High-quality content on your website draws readers and search engines like a magnet.

Aim To Rank For Keywords in Question Forms

Many people look for answers in inquiry forms. Your snippets should appear on SERPs in exchange for users asking a specific question. Keep this in mind so that your website appears as a snippet.

Concentrate on long-tail keywords and answering inquiries. Find out what is relevant, controversial, or viral in your sector as people seek information. As a result, their search queries are in the form of questions. Rely on continuous research to learn how consumers put questions into Google searches and tailor your material.

Give Direct Replies Using Latent Semantic Indexing

Crawlers use LSI to understand a specific web page content. Crawlers seek concepts supporting your article title to ensure you discuss what Google believes. Concentrate more on the question or subject for which you wish to rank. If you accomplish this, Google thinks your material is a dependable and rich resource for user queries.

How to Create Snippets

Earning featured snippets in Google is more complex than adding keywords or assuring the caliber of your material. So, use the following actions to create snippets quickly:

Research Keywords with Less Difficulty and High Relevance

The process of creating content begins with research. You will only receive high search engine ranks or featured snippets if you concentrate on the right metrics. Keyword difficulty (KD) and user relevance are the proper measures.

KD is an SEO measure that indicates the difficulty of ranking for a specific search query. Low KD is advantageous if your website is fresh or has little internet visibility because it means you have the least competition.

A weekly review of the metrics is essential because they are constantly changing. It would help if you considered “relevance” while selecting keywords to get a featured snippet.

Consider a keyword’s relevance to your customer’s pain points if it is not competitive. Analyze the user goals when entering terms into the Google panel, the user purpose behind those goals, and any associated pain issues your business addresses.

Draft Your Content Depending on the Searcher’s Needs

Drafting material after choosing your keywords and content subjects will boost the likelihood that Google will use snippets from your article in search engine results pages (SERPs). Organize your content based on the searchers’ needs.

As seen in the image below, those who searched for “content marketing writer” wanted to know what a content marketing writer did. So, directly beneath the first H2, the article responds to that query.

- Making the searcher’s inquiry clear in the H2 makes it simple for users to find your material in the search results.
- Provide clarification in response to a searcher’s query. The snippet is taken by Google and shown in the SERPs.
- Use natural keyphrase variations and synonyms.
- Please pay attention to the remaining material; it provides searchers with the necessary information. Changes in the remaining material depend on the current search engine results pages (SERPs), considering the elements in the “People Also Ask” box, examining the content organization of the top 5 search engine rankings, and looking at relevant sources for related terms.

Maintain Consistency Across Content to Build Authority

Consistency is essential in all forms of digital material since it directly affects Domain Authority (DA), a crucial criterion in search engine positioning. Your web presence could only meet Google standards if you invested in targeted featured snippets.

Your entire work must be high-caliber, engaging, comprehensive, and user-focused. Ensure your content has all these features and featured snippets to impress Google.

Consider Your Ultimate Goals and Actions

A featured snippet dramatically increases the search exposure of your company. They frequently appear in the first organic position. If you receive a snippet, take advantage of the higher search visibility. Remember your ultimate objectives and end results when conducting keyword research and creating content.

After they click on your link in the SERPs, consider the actions you want your target customers to take. You must ensure that their activities result in conversions. Ask yourself this question every time you move to improve your search engine rating and visibility in Google results.

Throughout the creation of your content, keep your final goal in mind to ensure that it attracts leads and consumers and includes snippets.

How to Check if You have created a Snippet?

To increase the SEO of your website, you can employ several methods. To see if you want to rank for any Google features, start a project for your website and seek ways to do so. The tracker reveals which Google SERP features your content triggers when you add keywords for which you want your content to rank or whether your content has already started to do so.

Your content will be highlighted in green for the snippets that it ranks for. You may examine your website’s visibility in the SERPs and how fierce the competition will be for the same keyword. The SERP Analysis function allows you to evaluate your SEO effectiveness.

Google has changed significantly from showing only ten links in search engine results pages (SERPs) to a vastly expanding source of information that provides helpful information to curious people in various ways. To improve your online search exposure, you must obtain snippets because the first page of the SERPs prioritizes them.

You should provide snippet-worthy content to boost your SEO and attract many customers. Ad adhere to the instructions to accomplish it and achieve the desired results.

Google Business Profile

How to Leverage Google Business Profile

Google dominates the search engine landscape, controlling a staggering 92% of the market. To better tap into the potential of Google Search and Maps for attracting new clientele, it’s imperative to set up a Google Business Profile (GBP), previously recognized as Google My Business (GMB).

Understanding GBP

Google Business Profile is a complimentary business listing service provided by Google. It’s a platform where businesses can share detailed information and visuals about their offerings, including their location, range of services, and products. By establishing this free profile, businesses can significantly amplify their visibility across various Google platforms. The information from your Google Business Profile can seamlessly integrate and appear in Google Search, Google Maps, and even Google Shopping.

However, it’s essential to understand that Google Business Profile is tailored for businesses that have direct interactions with customers. This encompasses entities with a physical presence, like restaurants or retail stores, and service providers who engage face-to-face with clients, such as consultants or plumbers. If your business operates solely online, you’d benefit more from other Google utilities like Google Ads and Google Analytics.

The Significance of Having a GMB Account

- - Boost Visibility on Google and Google Maps: Google stands unrivaled as the premier search referrer, directing both online and foot traffic. A well-optimized Google Business Profile ensures that when potential customers search for services or products akin to yours, your business emerges prominently. Especially on Google Maps, a local business listing significantly enhances the chances of discovery.
  - Command Your Online Business Narrative: With GMB, you’re in the driver’s seat. Update contact details, operational hours, and other pivotal data as and when required. If there are changes in your service offerings, temporary halts, or resumptions, you can promptly communicate this to your audience. Given the potent local SEO capabilities of Google Business Profiles, the information you provide takes precedence, overshadowing outdated data on other websites.
  - Foster Trust Through Authentic Reviews: Reviews are the bedrock of credibility in today’s digital age. Google’s review system, which amalgamates star ratings with room for detailed feedback, offers customers a platform to share their genuine experiences. This transparency aids potential customers in making informed decisions about which businesses to patronize and which products to invest in.

While the prospect of public reviews might seem daunting, especially given the inability to filter which ones appear, there’s a silver lining. Google asserts that a blend of positive and negative feedback appears more authentic and trustworthy than a barrage of exclusively glowing reviews.

Harness the power of Google My Business and watch your business thrive in the digital landscape.