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Google Hummingbird: What is it?

By Brian, Monday, 30th September 2013 | 0 comments
Filed under: Google Analytics, General News, In the Press.

Google recently just launched their new search algorithm to coincide with their 15th birthday called "Hummingbird". But what's changed?

What has changed?

"Hummingbird" is designed to give more precise and quicker results to the user. It focuses on the users intent versus an individual search term. Basically their search got smarter.Hummingbird

The new algorithm seems to pay more attention to each word in a query or query sentence and ensures the whole meaning is taken into account. It returns pages based upon actual meaning as opposed to returning results that have pages matching just a few key words. This is good news for people who have been following best practice when it comes to their content.

Our advice

We’ve began work on updating our own SEO tool to take into account these new changes, but what can you do in the meantime to make sure you’re following Google’s guidelines?

  • Write your content with the user in mind. When you are writing your page needs to deliver on content as well as on keywords. You really need to satisfy the users when they are reading.
  • Your content needs to be of really rich content. This follows on from the point above, but it means that you need to comprehensively answer any questions they may have and deliver excellent content, always.
  • Check your Google Analytics to see where people are leaving your site (bounce rate on pages) and identify why. By re-writing this content in a richer context you should be able to improve your ranking and fall in line with the Hummingbird update.

At the end of the day it’s always wise to try and follow the advice that Google gives you; satisfy your customers with good, high quality content that includes keywords in the right places.