SEO in 2017 will be a game changer.

Google’s made major changes in 2016. Let’s go over what’s new in 2017 and what it means for your SEO strategy.

Click here to get more information on the meetup.

Here’s what’s happening for 2017:

1. Google’s RankBrain: The Machines are Taking Over

What is RankBrain and how will it change SEO for 2017? Very important to understand how SEO strategy will have to change to compete in 2017.

2. Bad Links: Real-Time Google Penguin Update

Google’s Penguin Update, punishing websites for bad links, has gone real-time.

Previously, that information was rolled into the next update, but now it’s immediate.

3. Secure Web: HTTPS as a Ranking Signal

One of the first questions Google asks when evaluating the quality its search results is: “Can I trust this website?”

4. Aligning “Google My Business” and Local Results

Google has indicated that local searches lead 50% of mobile visitors to visit stores within one day. Google looks at your “Google My Business”  to rank you in the local results.

5. Voice Search

Voice search via “OK Google”, Apple’s Siri, Amazon Echo etc. Google reports that currently, 55% of teenagers and 40% of adults use voice search every day.

6. Synonyms

Google says that synonyms now play a role in 70% of searches.

7. Co-occurrence

Google narrows down a page’s broad topic to a more specific focus with “co-occurrence” – relating synonyms and related terms to the page focus keyword.

8. Distance Between Keywords

The actual distance between keywords on your page can also indicate how related they are and can strengthen (or weaken) your focus keyword.

9. Context

Google knows a lot about you and will look at that information specifically to understand the meaning of the search by the who the searcher is.

10. TF*IDF

I left this one for last. It’s a good demonstration of the nuts and bolts of how Google’s Algorithm (just a big math problem really) actually works.

We’ll go over how all this works and what it means.

See you in February!

Best, John

John Bolyard
John@JohnBolyard.com
Meetup Organizer