Whether you’re a search marketing expert or just researching local search engine optimization services for the first time, 2016 has been a very busy year. Major changes to Google’s search algorithms are coming soon, and Google itself has warned local search engine optimization pros to stay on their feet.
So what’s keeping your local search marketing company up at night? Just two months in, 2016 has seen a lot of activity in the search engine world. So here is all the search engine content that’s fit to click:
2016 is the Year of the Penguin
Google gives names like Panda and Penguin to its periodic updates to its search ranking factors, and it’s been about two years since the last major Penguin update went live. For anyone who doesn’t live and breath local search engine optimization, it’s helpful to think of Penguin updates like a software patch. Specifically, this patch will change the way Google rates the backlinks to a website.
Based on previous Penguin updates, websites with low-quality, toxic links are expected to take a major beating in the rankings. If you’re trying to increase visibility with SEO, then quality backlinks are still your best bet.
The Knowledge Engine
In February, Wikipedia finally revealed that it’s long-rumoured search engine, called the Knowledge Engine, was real. The top secret project is expected to cost the Wikimedia Foundation upwards of $10 million, but Wikipedia leader Jimmy Wales has promised that it’s not meant to compete with Google.
That hasn’t stopped SEO consultants from dreaming. Most digital marketing professionals would welcome some competition in the search engine marketing field.
Google’s AMP Project Going Live…
And while Google has promised that their Penguin update will come sometime in the first quarter of 2016, the company is also readying their Accelerated Mobile Pages project. This initiative gives content publishers new tools to ensure their websites load faster on mobile pages, which increasingly account for more clicks and advertising than ever before.
While the AMP project doesn’t yet apply to small businesses worried about local SEO services, it’s highlights the growing importance Google places on mobile-friendly, responsive websites.
