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Remember that time you accidentally sent a text meant for your crush to your grandma?
Well, Google actually managed to do just that in May 2024. Instead of an embarrassing confession, however, Google leaked their own top secret search algorithm playbook. By playbook we mean everything anyone needs to do about how Google determines search rankings in Google Search. It was a lot… of valuable information, coming in at over 2,500 pages. The best part?
Google has already confirmed the documents are legitimate, meaning we can start applying this valuable intel with some confidence. Here’s everything you should know about the leak:
The leak reveals over 14,014 factors that Google uses to rank websites.
Whether you’re a pro or just dipping your toes into SEO, this leak is a treasure trove that confirms some obvious best practices (like creating awesome content and getting quality backlinks), reveals some new ranking factors we didn’t know about, and could potentially provide you with a roadmap for future SEO strategies.
Publish on LinkedIn, in industry magazines, on YouTube. Don’t worry about getting your brand name out there. Build a reputation for the people behind your brand and that will give your brand the boost it needs. Make sure guest posts are attributed to the right author, and maybe even create personal LinkedIn campaigns for your top contributors.
Clicks Matter (a Lot!): Remember that thing called Navboost? It’s Google’s way of tracking how much people are clicking on your site in search results. So, make sure your titles and descriptions are enticing! A little bit of housekeeping can really supercharge your exposure.
Links Are Still Your Friend: There has been so much debate lately about the value of backlinks and whether they still provide websites with the boost they once did. Turns out… backlinks from reputable sources will still give you street cred with Google, but avoid shady links at all costs.
Content is King, Queen, and the Whole Royal Family (sans Prince Andrew): Fresh, high-quality content that shows your expertise is more important than ever (hence why we’re writing this piece?). The key thing here is that the content needs to be original and human. If you plan to recycle/repurpose content that should be okay, so long as you “transform” the content.
Google Chrome Is A Spy: To no one’s surprise, Google Chrome collects a ton of data on how people interact with your website. You should ensure your website is optimized for visitors, so keep your website light and fast. Nobody likes a slowpoke, including us here at Better Brain Lab. What Happens After the Click Really Matters!
We’ve always known that things like how long people stay on your page (or if they hit the “back” button right away) matter to Google. But the leak shows they’re using Chrome’s data to get a super detailed view of what users do after they leave the search results. It’s like they have hidden cameras everywhere. This means that every page on your site needs to deliver on its promise. If someone lands on your blog about “best CRMs for small businesses” and it’s just a thinly veiled ad, they’ll bounce faster than a rubber ball. And Google will notice and penalize your website for it.
Even paid traffic can help boost your organic rankings. If people coming from ads like what they see on your page, Google takes note. So, think of those ads as a way to show off your site’s awesomeness to a wider audience.
Real Humans Are Judging Your Site: Yep, there are still humans that work at Google. Quality raters check out top search results, ensuring that the top search results are high quality. Make sure your content is something they’d give a thumbs up to. This means you should not just focus on trying to game the algorithm, but should also create a website with humans in mind.
Site Authority Is Real: Google used to deny it, but they do have a “siteAuthority” score. Build a strong brand, get those backlinks, and create topic clusters to boost your authority. Unfortunately, the world isn’t fair… unless you come out on top, in which case the world is very fair… we suppose.
The Sandbox Is Real, Too: New sites get put in a temporary “sandbox” until Google susses them out. This can sometimes mean that efforts to get your website the exposure it deserves won’t bear fruit until 6-12 months from your website launch date. Be patient and focus on quality in the meantime.
Some Topics Get Special Treatment: Content about elections or COVID-19 gets extra attention. Always make sure your info is accurate and reliable, especially for sensitive topics. Alternatively, just avoid them if it all possible? Unless you’ve got an authoritative website, covering sensitive topics in your blog through articles and newsletters… might actually end up doing more damage than good.
While this leak is a goldmine of info, remember that SEO isn’t just about gaming the system. Focus on creating great content that people actually find valuable. At Better Brain Lab we’re all about creating great content and great products. Everything else follows.
We’re all about creative innovation.
Copyright © 2024 Better Brain Lab