Google Roughs Up the Indexes: What This Could Mean for SEO

Brands- yes, we have all heard that having a recognisable brand helps gain the top of the index.  Just consider Nike, McDonalds, Levis, and other brand names you might know.  These brands are something you may search for or just know by name.  In either case, having a brand has always meant better indexing.  In recent months Google has talked about changing how their search engine works and how they want to provide better information to online searchers.  Google CEO even said there is too much misinformation on the internet right now, and it needs to be cleared up.  In January 2009, Google made their first move in cleaning up their index.

These changes could mean some obvious issues for companies using search engine optimisation without a brand.  Brands have continually come out at the top of a search, even with those who play the keyword and SEO game.  Google even believes that brand emphasis is highly imperative.  After all, a brand name should get rid of the misinformation on the internet, but what does this do for you?

Well, Google has to figure out what a brand is first of all.  They have two methods for doing this.  They will be making a list of the biggest brands they can think of.  So if you don’t have hundreds of pounds or dollars this means you get the shaft.  You will not make the list.  Next, Google is going to be looking at User Behaviour.  They will use Toolbar, Chrome, Reader, Feedburner and others in which they have devised ways to find out what consumers are looking for.

This is where you might be found and kept in the index.  Google will be able to tell how long a user is on a site, how long the user stays, if they subscribe to stuff like YouTube, the keywords used, and the trends being sought.

Linkbaiting, viral marketing and social media are important in this area.  If you are successful in your SEO campaign as a little business you can be found.  You will not spend a lot on social media or viral marketing, but you still get to go up against the big guys who spend billions on advertising.

Still, there will be problems for the smaller business online.  You will have to work harder and keep up to date with the changes Google is making.  Since they are raising the stakes on how to get the top rankings for an organic search, you have to raise your stakes.  You have to make sure that you use all forms of Search Engine Optimisation.  You cannot just sit back and let the internet work for you.  Make sure you have a target audience.  If you can get the traffic needed for the rankings and get them to stay on your page for longer intervals, you will survive.  The tide is changing on the keywords as well.  You cannot focus on low value anymore.  You will need a “vanity” keyword.