SEO News May 2018
We are nearly half way through the year and the SEO news machine never slows down.
Yet More Google Updates
Starting around the 17th of May and culminating in the biggest rank fluctuations on and around the 24th of May Google has yet again rolled out more search algorithms updates. SEO communities were reporting massive ranking movements. Our own DNA website suffered some serious ranking movements on the 21st and 22nd of the month and things are slowly returning to normal. We still have some ranking issues from the previous months algorithm updates which should be resolved soon.
Google’s Personalised Search Results
There has been a bit of chat recently about Google’s personalised search results. In my previous business I thought I had done well and had my business on page 1 for a competitive service term. My dreams were shattered when a friend had a look at the same term and I was nowhere to be seen.
How did this happen? I was getting personalised search results.
Fast forward to today and personalised search results are getting lighter. This was confirmed recently by Google’s Danny Sullivan. Location is now a big part of the results you see and the language you use. By language I think they mean your intent on what you are searching for.
For example, are you researching for a new purchase or are you ready to buy? You will use different language depending on what outcome you are looking for.
FYI, personalization of results is very light. Most people searching in the same language and same location will see largely the same things. Location and language are far more influential about why results differ.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) May 15, 2018
Google Reduces Search Snippets Again
A few months ago, Google increased the search snippets from 155 characters to 320 characters. Around the 14th of May Google reverted back to 155 characters. This has upset some SEO’s who have put in the effort into changing their meta descriptions. When Google originally made this change, they issued a statement saying there was no need to make any changes (which in retrospect was maybe a really big hint).
After this happened, Danny Sullivan stated that there are now no maximum lengths (even though we know the average snippet length is 155 characters) and that snippets are dynamic. The length will vary based on what Google thinks it needs to show the searcher at the time.
The length of snippets is dynamic. We're not stating a maximum length because of this.
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) May 14, 2018
Recipe Structured Data updated for Voice
Google has updated the structured data properties for recipes. If you want your recipes included in Google Assistant or Home you will need to include certain properties in the structured data. Having the correct properties will enable Google to read out the recipe to users while they are making the dish.
Voice search and home speakers, whether they be Google, Apple or Amazon’s are going to bring exciting times in the future for SEO.
Written by Dave Stansfield - 15 June 2018