For marketing agencies — more specifically, content marketers — all across the country, Google is king. In this, the digital age of communication, ranking well with the gods down at Google is vital for reputation building, product pushing and overall brand success. Within the past few years, however, Google has taken things a step further for content marketers by changing the very algorithm which is responsible for determining search results.
Google’s most current algorithm, codenamed “Hummingbird,” was put into effect in 2013. Though continually updated to mesh perfectly with the ever-changing tendencies of America’s many marketing agencies, one truth remains constant: quality content is key.
Says ConvinceAndConvert of the Hummingbird’s tactics, “The system de-emphasizes specific keywords in the search/search results schema in favor of semantic searching. This means that the derived, inferred ‘meaning’ of the search is more important than the exact words composing the query.”
For content marketers, keywords are no longer the main focus. Meaning and intent are now everything for those serious about leaving a digital impression. Reportedly, Google has made these changes so that their produced search results more closely mimic something that a real person would pursue.
Simply put, if people like it, Google will as well. No longer can corners be cut for content marketers looking to help a client.
