With 500 to 600 algorithm updates a year on Google, most won’t affect you—but how do you notice the ones that do? And how do you stay on top of them so your content continues to rank? The success of your SEO work can be determined by growing with these algorithm updates, but don’t fret! 

Think of each SEO element as a puzzle piece: keywords, backlinking, and more all add up to successfully ranking on search engines. But did you know that the algorithm that determines what’s necessary for ranking can (and does!) change constantly? Understanding what an algorithm update means for you and your business is essential to keep your content relevant and visible on search engines. 

What is an Algorithm Update?

Search engine algorithms are used to provide accurate and helpful answers to a person’s query. To stay on top of that, the algorithm must be updated. By altering formulas and changing qualifications, algorithm updates are designed to improve user experience and offer relevant and trustworthy content. Some updates are insignificant, whereas others can change how we write for SEO.   

Popular search engines, like Google, go through hundreds of algorithm updates a year to refine their results. While that’s great for someone searching for a service or an answer, that can make staying on top of your content a bit difficult! SEO Strategy services like ours are designed to keep an eye out for drastic algorithm updates to ensure your content can be updated to rank under the new qualifications. 

How to Tell When An Algorithm Update Affects You

The news of an upcoming algorithm update can feel daunting for SEO writers, so it’s important to figure out when they affect your content and business. Give the update a few days to settle before making any changes but be ready to do some digging when the time is right.

First, look at authenticated sites explaining the characteristics of the update, such as the Google Search Ranking Updates page. If what they’re changing describes your content or SEO tactics, it may be time to adjust to a new method. Next, notice if your pages have had any traffic changes since the algorithm update date. An increase or decrease in clicks is not always an algorithm fault, but noticing these trends can help point you in the right direction for qualifications you need to meet to rank. 

5 Tips for Staying On Top of an Algorithm Update 

To stay one step ahead of algorithm updates, we swear by these five SEO tips for our Blogging and Product and Collection Descriptions: 

1. Check that all backlinks in your blogs are working

2. Follow SEO experts to hear when updates could affect you

3. Use Google Alerts to stay informed on changes

4. Update old blogs for new on-page SEO qualifications

5. Continue creating fresh and relevant content 

Algorithm updates can seem impossible to keep up with, but you’ve got this! With our simple tips and an understanding of what an algorithm update means for you, you’ll handle the next one like a pro.  

Whether your local business is brand new or you’ve been around for a while, it’s time to focus on a strong online SEO strategy. If you have an in-person location, and you’re not taking advantage of all local SEO elements have to offer—what are you doing? Follow along as we give you our top three local SEO tips and watch your online presence transform!

What is Local SEO?

When looking at our SEO Strategy checklist, it’s important to know what local SEO is and why it’s necessary for your business. Local SEO is a strategy designed to help your business rank higher and be more visible in online search results. If you have an in-person location that people could visit, these simple local SEO tips, like focusing on keyword research and creating a Google My Business page, are a must. 

For example: for an online business, the keyword you focus on may be “dinnerware.” In local SEO, a location such as “dinnerware Chicago” would be attached so that the business and service pop up when someone does a “near me” Google search in that geographical area. When you include these keywords in your content, those searching can find and visit your storefront easily!

3 Great Local SEO Tips

We’ve found endless local SEO tips and tricks, but if you have to choose three to implement immediately, these are the best of the best:

1. Create a Local SEO Page

2. Ask clients for reviews

3. Optimize your home page

1. Create a Local SEO Landing Page for Each Location

Aside from the homepage of your website, the local landing pages are the most beneficial element you can add to your website. Though the pages can be pretty similar in structure, content, and tone, your local landing pages will hold geographical information on your in-person location. Your local SEO landing page will rank higher when people search for services in that area! 

Pro local SEO tip: if you have multiple locations, create a local landing page for each one! 

2. Ask Clients to Review Your Google My Business Page

Did you know that ratings and reviews are the most important things people consider when choosing between local businesses? Local reviews impact how Google ranks your business, so people leaving positive reviews and high ratings makes a difference! Encourage previous customers to leave their thoughts on your Google My Business page for other potential guests to see. For your loyal customers, set a calendar to remind them to leave another review to keep your ranking high.

3. Optimize Your Home Page with Your Location and Service 

If you have a few minutes to spare, optimizing your home page is our easiest local SEO tip. Always have your location, contact information, and service description up to date on the home page of your website and your Google My Business. Your content is the primary way customers will find you, so keeping it updated and visible is crucial for local SEO. 

Remember: searchers love local listings!

We highly recommend our Local SEO strategies if you have a visitable location. In the meantime, implement these three essential local SEO tips to your business today, and you’re sure to see your online clicks and in-person visits grow! 

When you focus on SEO work, you may realize you have no idea where to start! We’ve discovered the importance of doing keyword research first – before brainstorming blogs and content or coming up with attention-grabbing headings. When we start our SEO content, whether blogging or writing product and collection descriptions, we lean on finding the best SEO keywords to guide our every move.

‘Write a blog post about whether or not ChatGPT can write for search engine optimization.’

What if it really was that easy?

Unless you’ve worked in communications, the importance of investing time, energy, and budget into marketing can be a tough sell. As a business owner, being able to dictate your marketing work to an artificial intelligence website seems like a dream come true. But what are the pros and cons of using ChatGPT in marketing and content creation? Let’s find out.