How to Plan for SEO Success in 2017

TL;DR

To achieve SEO success in 2017, focus on accelerated mobile pages (AMP), quality backlinks, and leveraging artificial intelligence. Prioritize fresh content and optimize for voice search and home devices. Utilize schema markup for better search visibility and ensure a secure site with HTTPS. Consider international SEO and longer content for broader reach.

Transcript

that other people who want to see this later can check it out and let's get going so first thing I I'm the one Speaking here John Lincoln co-founder and CEO of ignite visibility I've been a digital marketing consultant for well over 10 years I eat sleep live and breed this stuff and uh you can tell I'm excited to be speaking with you about it today... Read More

Key Insights

• AMP is essential for faster mobile page loading, improving traffic by up to 30%.
• Backlinks remain important but focus on high-quality, semantically relevant links.
• Artificial intelligence is reshaping SEO, with RankBrain emphasizing semantic content.
• Voice search and personal assistants are growing, requiring precise and well-structured content.
• Fresh content boosts rankings; update existing content to maintain relevance.
• Schema markup enhances search visibility by providing rich snippets in search results.
• HTTPS is now a ranking factor and necessary for avoiding penalties on sites with forms.
• Amazon's SEO is crucial for product visibility, requiring optimized listings and reviews.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does AMP improve SEO performance?

AMP, or Accelerated Mobile Pages, improves SEO performance by significantly enhancing mobile page load speed, which can increase traffic by up to 30%. Faster loading pages lead to better user experiences and higher engagement, which are key factors in Google's ranking algorithm. Implementing AMP can also improve visibility in Google's mobile-first index, making it a crucial component of modern SEO strategies.

Q: Why are backlinks still important in SEO?

Backlinks are crucial in SEO because they signal to search engines that other websites find your content valuable and trustworthy. However, the focus has shifted towards acquiring high-quality, semantically relevant backlinks rather than a large quantity of low-quality links. This approach helps avoid penalties and ensures that the links contribute positively to your site's authority and ranking.

Q: What role does artificial intelligence play in SEO?

Artificial intelligence, particularly through Google's RankBrain, plays a significant role in SEO by focusing on understanding the semantic context of content. This means that search engines are better at interpreting user intent and delivering relevant results. As a result, creating high-quality, semantically rich content that addresses users' needs and queries is essential for achieving good rankings.

Q: How is voice search changing SEO strategies?

Voice search is changing SEO strategies by requiring more precise and conversational content. With the rise of personal assistants like Google Home and Amazon Echo, content must be structured to answer specific user queries directly. Implementing schema markup helps search engines understand and deliver your content in response to voice queries, making it crucial for modern SEO strategies.

Q: What is the importance of schema markup in SEO?

Schema markup is important in SEO because it helps search engines understand the content on your site and provide rich snippets in search results. This can enhance visibility and click-through rates by displaying additional information like ratings, event details, or product specifications directly in the search results. Properly implemented schema can significantly improve the way your content is presented and discovered online.

Q: Why is HTTPS crucial for modern websites?

HTTPS is crucial for modern websites because it ensures a secure connection between the user and the server, protecting sensitive data. Google considers HTTPS a ranking factor, and sites without it may face penalties, especially if they collect user information through forms. Implementing HTTPS can improve trustworthiness, enhance user experience, and potentially boost search rankings.

Q: How can international SEO boost website traffic?

International SEO can boost website traffic by optimizing your site for different languages and regions, allowing you to reach a wider audience. By translating content and using hreflang tags, you can ensure that your site appears in relevant search results globally. This strategy can capture additional market share and increase visibility in non-English speaking regions, significantly expanding your potential audience.

Q: What are the benefits of longer content in SEO?

Longer content benefits SEO by providing comprehensive information that can cover multiple user queries, increasing the likelihood of ranking for various related keywords. Detailed content tends to engage users longer, reducing bounce rates and signaling quality to search engines. However, it's essential that the content remains valuable and relevant, rather than being lengthy for the sake of length, to maintain user interest and effectiveness.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) enhance mobile page speed, crucial for SEO success. Implement AMP to improve traffic and visibility, especially with Google's mobile-first index.

• Artificial intelligence, particularly RankBrain, is transforming SEO by focusing on semantic understanding. High-quality content that addresses user intent is key to ranking well.

• Voice search is on the rise, demanding precise, schema-marked content. Ensure your site is HTTPS-secured to avoid penalties and improve search rankings.