SEO in 2019 - What’s Working Today?

TL;DR

Learn key SEO strategies to boost organic traffic in 2019.

Transcript

SEO has changed, but it's also very much the same. Confused? Well, in this video, I'm going to show you what's working today and helping us grow our organic traffic exponentially. Stay tuned. [music] What's up SEOs? Sam Oh here with Ahrefs, the SEO tool that helps you grow your search traffic, research your competitors and dominate your niche. As I... Read More

Key Insights

• Mobile optimization is crucial as Google predominantly uses the mobile version of content for indexing and ranking.
• Topical research is more effective than keyword research, as pages can rank for thousands of additional keywords.
• Building topical authority involves acquiring links from relevant authoritative sites and creating internal linking structures.
• Matching search intent is vital; understand the 3 C's: Content Type, Content Format, and Content Angle.
• Keeping content fresh by updating older pages can boost rankings and organic traffic.
• Focus on acquiring authoritative backlinks; links from topically relevant domains are more valuable.
• YouTube SEO is increasingly important as Google gives more real estate to video results in search.
• Avoid chasing trends and focus on proven strategies to achieve consistent SEO growth.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is mobile optimization important for SEO?

Mobile optimization is critical because Google uses the mobile version of content for indexing and ranking, as part of its mobile-first indexing initiative. This means that if your website isn't optimized for mobile, you might not rank well in search results, potentially losing significant organic traffic.

Q: How does topical research differ from keyword research?

Topical research focuses on broader topics rather than individual keywords. This approach is more effective because a single page can rank for thousands of related keywords, resulting in higher traffic. It involves understanding the breadth of a topic and finding content that covers multiple related search queries.

Q: What are the steps to build topical authority?

To build topical authority, first, acquire links from authoritative, topically relevant websites. Second, create contextual relevance within your site through internal linking, such as content silos. These steps help establish your site as an authority in your niche, improving its ability to rank for related search queries.

Q: What is search intent and why is it important?

Search intent refers to the reason behind a user's search query. Understanding search intent is crucial because Google's goal is to provide the best results for any query. By aligning your content with search intent, you increase the chances of ranking higher, as your content will better meet user expectations.

Q: How can you keep your content fresh for SEO?

To keep content fresh, regularly update older pages, especially if they have declining traffic or are outdated. Assess if the page matches current search intent and evaluate its backlink profile. Updating content with new information and optimizing it for current search trends can improve its ranking and traffic.

Q: What makes a backlink 'authoritative'?

An authoritative backlink comes from a topically relevant and reputable domain. It should be from a page with strong link authority, indicated by a high URL rating. Such backlinks are more valuable because they pass more link juice, contributing significantly to your page's SEO performance.

Q: Why is YouTube SEO important?

YouTube SEO is important because Google increasingly features video results in its search listings, providing more visibility for videos. By optimizing videos for search, you can tap into this trend, gaining more traffic from Google and potentially converting viewers into customers, as seen with Ahrefs' success.

Q: What is the Skyscraper technique in link building?

The Skyscraper technique involves finding high-performing content, creating something better, and then reaching out to sites that linked to the original content, suggesting they link to your improved version instead. This method helps acquire high-quality backlinks, boosting your content's authority and ranking potential.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 2019, effective SEO requires adapting to changes like Google's mobile-first indexing and focusing on topical research over keyword targeting. This approach helps pages rank for numerous keywords, increasing traffic significantly.

• Building topical authority is essential. This involves obtaining links from authoritative sites within your niche and creating content silos through strategic internal linking, enhancing contextual relevance.

• Matching search intent is a key SEO tactic. By understanding the 3 C's of search intent, content can be tailored to meet user needs, improving rankings. Additionally, keeping content updated and focusing on authoritative backlinks can enhance SEO success.