SEO Expectations from Google’s Algorithm Updates in the Near Future

It was a month ago when Google rolled out ‘mobile-friendliness’ algorithm update for improving good search experience for mobile users. Google has been telling websites to optimize their mobile site versions to enhance user experience and for persuading them Google rolled out the algorithm update which will penalize those sites that do not optimize their mobile versions for users. Google has been rolling various algorithm updates for the past few years for improving search, for filtering spammy sites from its search network, and make available of relevant content to users.

Here the main point to remember that search is the crown of Google’s business strategy, so the technology company has to do everything in its power to protect it and keep it search-worthy. For the tech giant, search is all about the user and the company does not want you to be dissatisfied with your search experience, and they most certainly do not want you to jump to another search engine. In order to do this they will continue to focus on relevance and ease of use.

Importance of Quality Content Will Stay For Long Time

With the original roll out a Panda algorithm update in 2012, Google has persuaded website owners and SEOs to give more focus on the quality of content. The search engine will continue to get better at judging content quality thanks to developing its artificial intelligence (AI). Some industry experts say that the time when Google’s search algorithm becoming better at prediction of quality and relevance than humans is not far away. However, human factor will not be overlooked, either. With search beginning to feature tweets, it is clear that social aspects will come to bear more influence on rankings. But many experts suggest that it will not remain a long-term feature.

More Improvements in Usability

The main purpose of Google’s mobile friendliness algorithm update was clearly to encourage websites to provide better user experience. One such change was not widely raised was that Google will start separating the mobile search experience and desktop search experience. The latest update affected primarily rankings for mobile searches. With Google’s advance in the ability of predicting content quality and users’ search context and intention, it is only natural for this divergence between platforms to continue.

Another important trend in usability and improvement is the rising trend of conversational search. With the rollout of Hummingbird update in 2013, long-tailed keywords got more importance and Google hoped that this algorithm will make SEO more aligned with the way people are searching. Optimizing for searcher’s intention will become more important than target specific keywords with the improvement in Google’s ability to predict the relevance.

More Gradual Changes in Google Search Platform

After the mobile-friendliness algorithm rollout, there was another algorithm update that was silently released by Google and it is known by the name ‘Phantom’. The purpose of this update to improve informational search with queries starting with “how to…”, “why is..”, and so on. You have probably already noticed there is a change in the Google search that is happening gradually. Perhaps the most obvious proof of this is the name of one of the updates that affected users after the Phantom algorithm update roll out. But even the ‘Mobilegeddon’ update didn’t affect as many people as was initially expected. Many SEO experts think this trend will continue as Google will be much more strategic and careful about the changes they are making.

How We Prepare for Google’s Algorithm Updates in the Future

One of the safest predictions to make is that Google is not going to change its policy of being confident about the changes it makes in the way the search engine functions. However, that does not mean that there is nothing you can do to be prepared for those changes and make the best of them. Some of the important areas where you should direct your focus and resources if you want to be ready for future algorithm updates include high-quality content development, improving user experience and engagement, and careful planning of SEO campaigns.

As you know, Google never accurately tells when the next update will be rolled out and their main goal of these rollouts is to provide relevant information and user experience. So, you need to implement an SEO campaign for your website for achieving the same goal.