Google recently launched a new algorithm, code-named Hummingbird, that was designed to answer more complex queries and present more in-depth knowledge to users. Launched over a month ago, Google’s Hummingbird is its largest algorithm overhaul in 10 years.
At a press conference announcing the change, Google explained that the new algorithm is smarter, able to understand complex queries and return more relevant answers. They are preparing for a future of phone concierges, where you ask your phone for information and it talks back to you, understanding the meaning behind your questions and giving you semantically relevant answers.
According to the NY Times:
“The company made the changes because Google users are asking increasingly long and complex questions and are searching Google more often on mobile phones with voice search.”
So how does Google’s Hummingbird update impact social media marketers?
What can you do to make sure your blog’s visibility improves in the wake of Hummingbird?
#1. Improve your mobile’s web search experience
On InsideSearch, Amit Singhal, Google’s chief technologist, explained:
“The world has changed so much: billions of people have come online, the Web has grown exponentially, and now you can ask any question on the powerful little device in your pocket.”
Obviously mobile is a major focus for Google, and Hummingbird presents a way for Google to serve better results for mobile users. Given the massive amounts of data Google has at their fingertips, they can anticipate trends better than any other company…and if they are focusing on mobile and overhauling their entire algorithm to serve better mobile results, then this is something social media marketers must pay attention to. Just this week, Google changed their User Interface for tablet and mobile users.
What can you do to get your website mobile ready?
- Make your website responsive
- Optimize your site for speed
- Fix faulty redirects and smartphone only errors
Do you need more information? Check out Google’s extensive guide on how to build Mobile-Optimized Websites.
#2. Connect your blog to your Google+ profile using Authorship
Authorship is a way of identifying categorical influencers and featuring their content in Google.
According to Google:
“Using authorship helps searchers discover great information by highlighting content from authors who they might find interesting. If you’re an author, signing up for authorship will help users recognize content that you’ve written. Additionally, searchers can click the byline to see more articles you’ve authored or to follow you on Google+”.
It’s that simple!