Does Google View Your Site As Relevant? How To Know.

With Google and YouTube capturing more than 90% of the internet search market with 3.5 billion daily search queries, it’s no surprise that our clients and, well, everyone compete through SEO to make it as close to the top of the search results as possible. 

But inevitably, when a new Google algorithm update rolls out, it sends shock waves and panic globally as everyone tries to make sense of it all while staying ahead of the curve – and their competition.

But fear not!

Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s newest core update and what it means for how relevant Google views your site.

About The June 2019 Broad Core Algorithm Update

Google first announced the June 2019 Core Update via a tweet on June 2 of this year, with the update going live the following day. 

In subsequent tweets, Google shared that it updates its search engine on a daily basis in order to consistently improve the relevancy and quality of search results. 

‘Sounds reasonable enough,’ you say to yourself.

However, a core update changes the algorithm profoundly. 

*cue heavy breathing into a paper bag*

And like any changes, it can create a ripple effect on traffic – both positive and negative – overnight. So, what exactly changed?

For starters – and without any concrete information on specific changes from historically tight-lipped Google – many companies have noted a sharp decrease in organic search result ranking, with The Daily Mail reporting a loss of nearly half their daily traffic after the update.

*cue smelling salts*

Again, fear not. 

‘How can you tell us to not fear at a time like this?’ you ask.

Because the recommended course of action is simple: Do nothing. Instead, Google recommends that websites focus on putting out the best, most relevant content possible.

8 Ways To Ensure Google Relevance 

If, however, you’re still worried about how relevant Google will view your site, here are a few ways to combat the changes.

1. Check The Competition

Find other sites in your industry that have not experienced any changes to their website traffic. Find what differentiates their SEO approach from yours and make changes accordingly.

2. Register With Google Search Console

This may seem like a no-brainer but if you haven’t already, leverage Google Search Console to help you maximize your site’s visibility in Google search results.

3. Claim Your Google My Business

Registering your business on Google My Business helps it appear in relevant geographic search results and on Google Maps. Once you’ve registered, be sure to keep your Google My Business entry updated, and post frequently to get in front of more eyes.

4. Focus On Retention

Growth is great, but your subscribers, followers and fans provide your site’s foundation, irrespective of any Google algorithm update. By prioritizing retention, you can stay afloat while cracking the code of new algorithms.

5. Increase Mobile Load Times

Minimize HTTPS requests, make image files as small as possible, and keep your site free of obtrusive pop-ups which not only slow your load time, but also make for a poor user experience – something Google penalizes.

6. Content Relevancy

Use relevant keyword phrases that resonate with your audience with your page titles, meta descriptions and URLs with accurate, concise descriptions of each page with keyword research prior to writing the page’s content.

PRO TIP: Also be sure to incorporate keyword phrases and topics in your actual page content and blogs, too.

7. Increase Advertising

During your rebuilding, consider using ads on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads to attract new visitors and expand reach. 

8. Create Backlinks

Create quality backlinks from reputable sites by either asking other sites to feature links to yours or by creating long, keyword-rich blog posts that are relevant to your business niche or industry. 

PRO TIP: Not all backlinks are created equal, so choose quality over quantity.

Understandably, a lot of site owners were upset about the Google algorithm update but it’s important to remember that Google’s priority is the person doing the searching, not always the sites trying to get those people to look at their sites. 

And that’s how it should be. After all, Google doesn’t claim more than 90% share of the market by not providing the highest quality, relevant results for its users. 

So our advice? Cater to your niche and write what your customers find important and relevant, focusing less on algorithms, and the rest – and Google – will organically follow. 

Still need help with your website’s SEO performance? We got you. Shoot us a message for data-driven value that’s delightfully creative today.