Here are some important things you need to know:

Finding Relevant Content

The new AI algorithm update called “Passages” is expected to affect approximately 7 percent of search queries and is intended to help Google better understand content in sections of a webpage. This is an update from just understanding a page as a whole.

The update will rank “passages” on existing webpages, rather than creating a separate index for individual sections of larger pages. In other words, the algorithm will now be able to find information that pertains to a user’s query specifically -even if it’s surrounded by irrelevant information.

Although this is meant to help Google better understand content that is not well structured, it’s also important for content creators to understand. They must still use titles and headings to help the search engine find relevant information and Passages may even increase competition as more pages will now be able to rank for a query – even if they are not optimized for the keyword used in search.

Another update they announced, similar to Passages, will apply to video content. Google will now analyze videos to figure out what each section of it is about. Users will be provided search results that take them directly to a specific part of that video which is relevant to their query. This change is expected to affect 10 percent of searches and may impact the way content creators produce and organize videos.

Understanding Language

BERT, a technique that Google uses to understand words in context, was originally used in only about 10 percent of searches, but now it will be used in nearly all queries submitted in English. The change is expected to deliver better results for users. In addition to this, Google  announced it will use an algorithm to also understand misspelled words. That change is intended to help the search engine figure out a user’s intent, even if it is not expressed as clearly as it could be.

Finding Information on Subtopics

In an additional move to help better understand what searchers are looking for when they enter a query, Google also said it will use neural nets (computing systems similar to biological neural networks in the brain) to help  understand subtopics related to a general query and provide more diverse content results. This change will make it harder for businesses to rank for broad keywords but will help companies that optimize their content for more specific subtopics.

Providing Statistical Data

In yet another AI update update announced by Google, the company said it is using natural language processing to figure out if a statistic (data) would answer a user’s question. If so, Google will find a statistic in the Data Commons Project and display it directly in the search results as an answer. It will also give users the option to view other relevant information.

Get Help with SEO

Search engine optimization is complex, and it isn’t getting any easier! If you’re trying to manage a business and focus on sales or customer experiences, it can be difficult to make sense of these recently announced changes. We can explain how these updates may affect your business and design an SEO strategy that suits your needs. Contact us today!

The post Google Announces AI Updates: What This Means for Search appeared first on Keyword Performance.

While we are currently living through something different than anything anyone has ever experienced, there are precautious steps we’ve taken to ensure the most important touchpoint with your clients doesn’t go unattended.

Maintaining Our Workflow

We are lucky enough to live in a world that’s technologically advanced and that there are jobs we can continue to do remotely. Our staff is working fulltime shifts at this time from our home offices to practice social distancing and comply with recommendations from the CDC. We are continuing to update your customers on social media channels, sending out those important Newsletters to your audience and writing the blogs that more eyes will be seeing. Internet usage is skyrocketing right now as people stuck home waiting it out are spending more time than ever online.

Going the Extra Mile

We’re also taking this time to work directly with clients to discuss the details of your website, where changes and updates to pages can be made to help make a positive impact in search rankings and we are fine-tuning paid advertising spend so that you remain relevant and visible for the market – regardless if your location’s doors are open or not.

Now is the time to make those lasting impressions and help potential customers understand your business. We can help!

Let’s Chat

One of the best ways to overcome anxieties and fears is to talk with a friend or someone you trust. We are here for you. If you’re feeling uncertain about where to dedicate your budgets or what changes (if any) you should make to your current marketing strategies, we want to help talk you through it. We’ve been in business for more than 15 years and have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely. We hope to open our office doors again by May 5^th for your accessibility. In the meantime, we’d love to recommend ways you can maintain your business’s presence online. Let’s work together and stay strong as we ride this next wave together.

CONTACT US TODAY!

The post Stronger Together: How We’re Pushing through COVID-19 appeared first on Keyword Performance.