Update Florida, which happened twenty years ago this month, completely shook up the search results and changed what it meant to do SEO. The lessons learned in 2004 hold a key to understanding and surviving Google updates today.
Before the update known as Florida, Google had monthly index refreshes that for a few days made the search engine results pages (SERPs) change for a few days as the rankings were updated.
These monthly updates were exciting because all of the new pages that were created since the last update may now start to rank.
Those monthly updates, where the sites in the SERPs bounced up and down in positions for a few days, became known as the Google Dance.
Until the Florida updates, the monthly Google Updates were kind of fun because that was the time to see what worked and what didn’t.
Google’s Astounding November 2023 Updates
Google’s November 2023 review and core updates have caused significant shifts in the search landscape. Website owners and SEO specialists must now adjust their strategies to maintain or improve their standing in Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs). These enhancements hope to provide users with higher-quality and more relevant search results while optimizing user experience.
Department of Justice Documents Reveal Google’s Search Ranking System
Recently disclosed Department of Justice documents detail three primary components of Google’s search ranking system, offering valuable insights into the inner workings of this search giant. Danny Sullivan, Google’s public search liaison, plays a crucial role in the company’s optimization process by providing SEO feedback for the Google Search team’s internal analysis.
By understanding the additional information unveiled in these documents, businesses and marketers can develop improved strategies for maintaining and enhancing their online presence on the search engine giant’s platform.
To keep up with the increasing importance of e-commerce integration and user-friendly design, Google Search and Bing have implemented new shopping deal features and filters. These functionalities aim to provide a streamlined online shopping experience for users and drive consumers to Google and Microsoft’s e-commerce offerings.
week’s Ask an SEO question comes from Nicole, who writes:
“How do you think this (Helpful Content) update and the language Google is using around it will impact the SEO industry and how SEO is perceived within the marketing field?”
Thanks, Nicole – interesting question.
Understanding The ‘Helpful Content Update’
As SEO pros, we need to remember that most people don’t care what Google says, and will likely never read a word of it. This includes other marketers, C-level leadership, and other departments.
We know that the helpful content update has a goal of making sure the content cuts out the fluff and gives a solution, but Google’s guidelines don’t matter to anyone but us.
It is our job to teach what “helpful” content is and why it is important, and then reference the documentation from Google when asked where they can validate.
But chances are the person will skim through and not read in detail like you or I.
Pro-tip: I use non-SEO tools to make my case.
Using Non-SEO Tools To Prove Your Point
Mouseflow and Hotjar are great for showing revenue gains and losses, as well as increased clicks through into a conversion funnel.
By making a page more “SEO” friendly for the helpful content update, you can prove the removal of excess images, wording, etc., leads to a better UX and revenue stream for the company.