Is SEO dead? What to know about Google's latest algorithm update

Google’s Latest March 2023 Core Update Serves Up Crucial Changes For Webmasters

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has been a crucial component of digital marketing for years. It’s a strategy that involves optimising your website and it’s content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and drive more traffic to your site.

However, with Google’s latest algorithm update, many people are questioning whether SEO is dead or not. The truth is, SEO is not dead, but it’s constantly evolving. It’s important to remember that core updates are Google’s effort to improve the search engine functionality and they are not an attack on your website. Staying abreast of the changes, will enable your website to rank higher if you follow these simple steps.

In this article, I’ll discuss the latest Google update and give you five crucial changes you can make today to stay ahead of the curve.

Google’s Latest Algorithm Update – March 2023

In March 2023, the latest ‘Core Update’ was released by Google.

Remember that the ‘Broad Core Update’ is not a regional or language-based update. This means that it applies to all websites across the world. The aim and objective behind these updates is to improve Google’s core search algorithm.

Google doesn’t give out the details of its routine updates. Instead, Google gives content creators advice. As always, the focus is on quality content over volume or speed. It is often recommended to step back from it all, take a broader view of your overall website and see what you can do to improve the site’s overall health.

If you’re stuck with what to do or experiencing a drop in Search Engine Ranking Performance, then here is our list of things to adjust:

1. Google Search Console: analyse traffic trends over the following weeks to further see the impact of this core update.
2. Improve the quality of the content and its authority: Google is preferring longer form content over shorter blogs. Look at readability and don’t rely on AI-content generation tools to create content.
3. Evaluate whether or not your content is authoritative, helpful to users and formatted in a way to help search engines: Question-based search is here to stay. Using questions and answers in your content, combined with structured data and canonical linking structures will make a lot of difference.
4. Fixing technical SEO issues: Make sure existing SEO mistakes are fixed and avoided. Consider using online software to evaluate the performance of your site and fix any known issues such as 404 errors, XML sitemap indexing issues or page speed.
5. Provide original information: Insights, reports, research, or analysis, along with a comprehensive description of the topic helps to get your site found.
6. Learning and education: pivot your blogs towards educational subjects. This makes your content more of a “resource” for a specific user search query.

In December 2020, Google released its algorithm update, known as the “December Core Update.” This update was designed to improve search results by providing more relevant and useful content to users. Google has stated that the update is focused on improving expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) in website content.

The December Core Update has affected many websites’ rankings, with some seeing significant drops in traffic and others seeing significant gains. If your website was negatively impacted by the update, it’s important to take action to recover your rankings. Here are five crucial changes you can make to your SEO strategy to stay ahead of the curve.

How to get found online in 5 simple steps:

1. Focus on On-Page Optimisation

On-page optimization is the process of optimizing individual web pages to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic in search engines. It involves optimizing the content on each page, including headlines, meta descriptions, and keywords. With the December Core Update, it’s more important than ever to focus on on-page optimisation.To optimize your content, make sure your pages are well-structured, easy to read, and relevant to your target audience. Use clear and concise headlines, and make sure your content is high-quality and relevant. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on using natural language that appeals to your target audience.

1. Build High-Quality Links

Link building is another crucial component of SEO, and it involves acquiring backlinks to your website from other sites. Backlinks are a key ranking factor in Google’s algorithm, and they can help improve your website’s authority and trustworthiness.However, not all links are created equal. It’s important to focus on building high-quality, relevant links that come from authoritative websites. Avoid using spammy link building tactics, as this can lead to penalties and negatively impact your website’s rankings.

2. Prioritise User Experience

User experience (UX) is another important factor in SEO, and it refers to how users interact with your website. Google has stated that it values websites that provide a positive user experience, and it’s important to prioritize UX in your SEO strategy. To improve UX, focus on website design, site speed, and navigation. Make sure your website is easy to use and navigate, and that it loads quickly. Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.

3. Optimise for Mobile

Mobile optimisation is more important than ever, as more and more users are accessing the internet from their mobile devices. Google has stated that it prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its search results, so it’s important to optimize your website for mobile. To optimize for mobile, use a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes. Make sure your website loads quickly on mobile devices, and that it’s easy to navigate using a touchscreen.

4. Focus on Local SEO

If you have a local business, it’s important to focus on local SEO. This involves optimizing your website and content for local search queries, such as “restaurants near me” or “plumbers in London”. To optimise for local search, make sure your website includes your business’s name, address, and phone number (NAP) on every page. Use local keywords in your content, and optimize your Google My Business listing. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your listing, as this can help improve your local rankings.

Is SEO Dead?

Despite the changes brought about by Google’s latest algorithm update, SEO is not dead. In fact, it’s more important than ever to have a strong SEO strategy in place to stay ahead of the competition.

While there have been changes to the way Google ranks websites, the fundamentals of SEO remain the same. Quality content, relevant keywords, and high-quality links are still crucial components of a strong SEO strategy.

However, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest changes and trends in SEO. Google’s algorithm is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve requires a willingness to adapt and change your strategy.

SEO is not dead, but it’s constantly evolving. The March Core Update brought about significant changes to the way Google ranks websites, and it’s important to take action to stay ahead of the curve. Remember, SEO is a long-term strategy, and it’s important to be patient and persistent. By focusing on quality content and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in SEO, you can build a strong online presence and drive long-term success for your business.

Need SEO help or advice?

It’s important to remember that SEO specialists typically can’t pick up a magic wand to make your website better. However, choosing a reputable agency like Iconic Digital will give you the leading edge. Our SEO agency in London can help your business to get found online. Don’t take our word for it, we’ve just won “SEO Agency of the Year 2023” in the Prestige Business Awards and we are one of the few Google Premier Partners to offer a full suite of search engine analysis for both organic and paid media. Take a free audit today or give me a call and I’d be pleased to help.