SEO Tips and Updates

Here  is an overview of some recent updates and refinements to Google’s search engine. It seems as if Google is collecting more and more click data across many verticals, ramping up local results further with future monetization objectives in mind, and last but not least, dipping into the product search query market.

1. For both universal and vertical search terms, the search result page is starting to display the local 10 pack listing above organic results. Now, the top 75% of the 1st page is primarily Google directed clicks. This makes things more difficult for SEO campaigns and some industry experts such as Matt Cutts are suggesting focusing on more and more long tail searches would be the way to go. Google would not want to dilute long tail search queries with universal/local listings displayed ahead of organic results. This also signals the importance of being #1 for your main keywords on search result pages that primarily display the local pack ahead of organic listings. #2 wouldn’t do much good.

2. Google is moving more into the display product ad market. Their e Commerce search engine has just recently opened up and the similar concept that has been taken into effect with Book, Loan related searches (e.g. Lending Tree model), Google portal results will be displayed ahead of organic. With their display ads, if you search any product, not only will the eCommerce results be listed above organic, but on the right hand corner you will see actual images of the products in sponsored listings. Fortunately, this won’t effect lead generation SEO campaigns but there is speculation that Google is collecting more and more click data for lead gen verticals and will eventually move into that market.

3. Google Caffeine Put on Hold. Small elements of caffeine may have been implemented, but this should have little to no effect for most webmasters just yet. Matt Cutts announced Google will roll out Caffeine at one data center after the holidays, and slowly build it up over time. It is speculated that Google moving into more affiliate verticals such as product and lead gen, is a bigger threat than caffeine is.

source: seobook.com/blog