The purpose of Hummingbird was to better understand the full context of queries (i.e., semantic search), rather than certain keywords, in order to provide better results. For certain queries, usually questions (i.e., who/what/where/when/why/how), Google sometimes shows a special block above the organic search results. This box contains a summary (in the form of paragraph, list, table, or video), as well as the publication date, page title, link to the webpage from which the answer originated, and URL. Links from .edu sites were considered ‘hard to get’ and thought to have more value for link building. As a result, link builders targeted .edu links until many of the lesser-known .edu sites became devalued by Google and any benefit of the link was ignored.
This length gives you enough room to communicate the page’s value while making sure your message stays intact on both desktop and mobile search results without being truncated. If you’re wondering how meta descriptions actually work, you’re not alone. Below, you’ll find real-world tips for crafting meta descriptions, plus examples showing what works and what doesn’t. Most CMS platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Wix, along with SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, let you easily create and edit meta descriptions without touching any code. Most website owners — especially small business owners (fewer than 50 employees or making under $5 million a year) — don’t realize how much power they have over what users see in Google search results. Reach global audiences and boost visibility in local search results with multi-language landing pages.
- For example, when a person searches “how to grow tomatoes,” classic SEO prefers pages with that very phrase.
- For example, if you run a coffee blog, simple phrases such as “coffee beans”, “coffee machines” or “espresso” will work great.
- Keyword research will help you generate a list of potential keywords that will help drive leads to your business.
- On-page SEO is important because it helps improve your rankings in search engines.
- One of the best ways to improve your SEO ranking is by investing in content marketing and producing website content that is unique and substantial.
Every page that matters — your homepage, product pages, blog posts, or landing pages — should have its own unique meta description. Reusing the same one across multiple URLs confuses search engine bots and weakens your ability to target specific search intent. Unique descriptions help match each page with the right query — and that’s what drives qualified, high-intent traffic. It’s equally important to note that internal links are not just for navigation; they provide search engines with contextual signals. When linking pages, use descriptive anchor text that reflects semantic keywords rather than generic phrases.
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But the ‘how’ of implementing SEO practices into your website can feel confusing to many. Discover and grow your audience with the checklists in our free guide. This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
The primary goal of SEO is to drive organic (non-paid) traffic to a website by improving its relevance and authority in the eyes of search engines. Link building is an essential off-page SEO technique that aims to increase the number of high-quality inbound links to your website. These backlinks serve as endorsements from other reputable sites, boosting your website’s authority and credibility in the eyes of search engines. Effective link-building strategies include guest blogging, influencer collaboration, and creating compelling content that naturally attracts links. By focusing on acquiring quality backlinks, you can improve your website’s search engine rankings and drive more organic traffic. Off-page SEO refers to optimization techniques that are done outside of your own website.
Another concept that should become familiar to you in order to understand what SEO is and its meaning is that of user experience or user experience. Not surprisingly, Google announced well in advance that user experience would become a ranking factor. It is important to note that there are actually two types of results that appear in SERPs.
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These links are called backlinks, and they can help your SEO by signaling that your website is useful and trustworthy. Off-page SEO refers to actions you can take outside of your website to improve its search visibility. Search engines work by crawling, indexing, and ranking content on the internet. By optimizing your website and content according to these systems, you can gain more visibility.
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One of the best ways to improve your BHS Links SEO ranking is by investing in content marketing and producing website content that is unique and substantial. The higher your business ranks on the SERP for relevant keywords and phrases. You may have overheard other business owners or marketers talk about how important it is to digital marketing. …it is inevitable that the search engines will eventually figure out what you are doing and penalize your site. The more relevant and interesting your content is, the more likely others will be to link to your content and share it on social media. By giving your SEO meaning, you can catch the attention of more search engine users.
You can also simply search for the page on Google — the snippet that appears right under the page title usually pulls from the meta description. A good meta description starts by answering the user’s actual intent. Think about what problem they’re trying to solve, and frame your snippet around that.
The reach is virtually unlimited, and your content is available around the clock. Compared to SEO, social media is more immediate and dynamic, requiring constant effort to stay relevant. Content posted on social media is quickly overshadowed by new posts, making it necessary to maintain a continual stream of updates to keep your audience engaged.