Google is infamous for its
impenetrable updates. It drops a new algorithm, and as digital marketers,
we're left to interpret the SERPs data and infer how our digital marketing
efforts will have to change. Google is far from generous with the details on
exactly what changed in their May update earlier this year. And with the
simultaneous disruption of COVID-19, it can be difficult to discern, which
changes in your online traffic can be attributed to the May 2020 Core Update
and the December Update just announced. Scott Hirsch, founder and CEO of Media
Direct and digital marketing pioneer, has a few insights and suggestions.
What Will the December 2020 Core Update Actually Change? Scott Hirsch Explains
As usual, Google was less than forthcoming about how their algorithm had
changed and what this would mean for digital marketers and it will take a few
weeks to see the full impact. But by working backward through the data, says
Scott Hirsch, we can intuit what those changes were in May.
Thin Isn't in When it Comes to Content Warns Scott Hirsch
"Thin" content is defined as short, poor quality, and/or doesn't cover the
topic extensively. The days of keyword stuffing and propping up poor content
with backlinks just for the sake of having it on your site are long gone. And
this new update hastens the departure of thin content by demoting and
penalizing it.
If you notice formerly popular - or at least stable - content dropping in the
SERPs, examine it for length and depth, suggests Scott O Hirsch. Especially in
competitive fields, authority content is coming out on top in the new results.
Authority content is in-depth, meaningful information that is so thorough and
engaging that it can make you an authority in your field. The importance of
high-quality writing and in-depth industry knowledge is more important than
ever. You may want to hire and restructure your marketing departments
accordingly.
Unsupported Backlinking Won't Work Anymore Says Scott Hirsch
Previously, though thin content always took a backseat to true authority
content, it could often be salvaged using good backlinking. It appears that
while backlinking is still an important part of Google's algorithms for SERP
results, content that is supported only by backlinks dropped heavily after the
May 2020 Core Update and is expected to continue in December.
Proper backlinking practices will continue to support and prop up high-quality
content, but the new algorithm seems to recognize when the content offered
does not match the quality of the links. Expect short, poorly written,
keyword-stuffed content to drop and continue dropping, warns Scott Hirsch.
Directory Listings May Become More Important Says Scott Hirsch
Since the May 2020 Core Update, directories have seen growth in their
rankings, along with aggregators. This suggests that Google may be promoting
directories to users to find the information they need more efficiently.
For businesses, this means that your directory listings are more important
than ever to your SEO efforts. Duplicate listings, incorrect or old
information, misspellings - they will do you an even greater disservice than
before as the popularity and visibility of directories grow.
Scott Hirsch Explains How the December 2020 Core Update Changes Will Affect
Your Business
Not all industries are affected equally by changes to Google's algorithms.
And, Scott Hirsch reminds us, it is important to remember that the data we
have post-update is also affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For instance,
copy heavy sites like news stations should have experienced volatility as
press releases and duplicate content lost points. But news outlets have seen
an increase in traffic and almost no drop in SERP ratings. This can likely be
attributed to the pandemic and election year. People are searching for and
reading the news more extensively than ever in this new environment.
Travel, Real Estate, and Health all saw major changes after the May 2020 Core
Update, according to a study by Search Engine Land. But, again, this could
also be due to coronavirus. But right after those categories, the industries
that saw the most change in their SERP ratings were "Pets and Animals" and
"People and Society."
No matter what industry you're in, the May and December 2020 Core Updates
should at least encourage you to take a look at your digital marketing
practices and reevaluate, advises Scott Hirsch. Are you producing high-quality
content that engages and offers real value? Are you using backlinks as a
support strategy rather than your only strategy?
The good news about the update is that if you have been focusing on creating
high-quality content this whole time, you're going to be rewarded in the
SERPs. And Scott Hirsch only foresees that trend continuing as Google's
algorithms work to make the user experience as smooth and helpful as possible.
So keep up the good work!
Scott Hirsch is the CEO and founder of Media Direct. He is also a digital
marketing pioneer in opt-in email marketing, SEO, social media management, and
e-appending. You can find him published in Times, INC, Forbes, Huffington
Post, and Fox Business.
CONTACT:
Caroline Hunter
Web Presence, LLC
+1 786-551-9491 -
SOURCE: Scott Hirsch
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-How-Does-It-Affect-Your-Digital-Marketing-Efforts-Scott-Hirsch-Explains
