Search Engine Optimization for Higher Rankings in 2020
Now is the time for online marketers to reformulate their search engine optimization strategy for better rankings, higher traffic, and bigger profits. SEO is such a dynamic industry, thanks to the many changes Google implements over the course of a year. But this is also the very reason why you always have the chance to outrank the competition. The process of ranking on the first page cannot be reduced to an exact science. But if you follow the SEO news and trends, you can expect to gain more targeted traffic and leads in 2020.
Optimize for Google’s Rich Answers
It’s a good idea to focus on reaching the top position in Google for your desired keywords. However, you may have noticed that Rich Answers are becoming more prominent in the results pages. While a Rich Answer isn’t always displayed for every search query, it’s reasonable to expect that more will show up over time.
What’s great about this trend is that the Rich Answer appearing for a particular query isn’t always pulled from the number one listing. Can you imagine how significant this is? This means that even if you do not rank first place for a keyword yet the data showing in the rich answer is pulled from your website, then you take a commanding share of the results pages. It’s similar to reaching the top of the search listings.
So how can you show up more often for Rich Answers? Of course, only Google knows for sure. But after analyzing countless Rich Answers for different queries, we at Christian Norwood SEO Internet Media believe that there are certain steps you can take to increase the likelihood of getting into Google’s Rich Answer box.
The first is to make sure you rank well for your target keyword. Create a relevant heading to the search query. Rich Answers usually feature a list, so consider using <li> tags and keep each item sweet and simple. Ideally, start every sentence with command words such as “create,” “make,” and “remove.”
Enhance User Engagement
For many years, people have talked about Google using user engagement as a ranking factor. Even though Google has not officially announced this to be true, it still makes sense to put in as much effort as possible to improving user engagement. This includes different site metrics such as average time on site, pogo sticking, and bounce rate.
Even though these things may not have a direct impact on your organic rankings, understand that they play an important role in improving conversions. Instead of simply making changes to your on-site elements to make your website more beautiful, consider implementing changes that will contribute to the accessibility and functionality of your site.
If you think about it, it only makes sense for Google to use these factors when determining where to place a web page on their search index. After all, excellent user engagement means visitors bounce around the website, stay longer, and visit again in the future. This is exactly the kind of website Google wants to show up on their first page. So take a look at your analytics and factor in these metrics when setting up your next search engine optimization campaign.
Boost Mobile Experience
You can view this as an extension to the previous tip. By now, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the mobile market is huge. If you still have any doubts, then you simply have to look back at Google’s mobile-friendly update, fondly referred to as “Mobilegeddon” within the SEO community.
As a business owner, it’s important to realize the changes in consumer behavior, particularly in how they consume information on the web. Not all of your target customers use their mobile browsers to look up information online. Many of them open up their mobile apps and use these platforms to find relevant information about businesses or products they are interested in.
This is why an increasing number of online marketers now focus on App Store optimization. If you have your own mobile app, then it’s high time that you get into this trend as well.
If you still want to focus on improving your organic rankings, then another trend to follow is AMP pages. Google introduced the Accelerated Mobile Pages project last year, and many publishers now use AMP content to provide outstanding user experience to their mobile audience. These pages load lightning fast compared to their non-AMP counterparts. It’s worth delving into AMP content and seeing how it improves mobile traffic and engagement.
In order to stay ahead of the curve, you should stay on top of the latest SEO updates. You don’t want to lag behind and get stuck using old techniques that no longer offer results. While the basics largely remain intact, be sure to implement newer strategies with the primary goal of providing satisfaction to users.
