Links referenced in video:
https://www.nearmedia.co/google-people-first-content-apple-pays-75-e-commerce-enjoyment-declines/
Today we’ll delve deep into Google’s new update. If you are a service provider or a contractor, this is extremely significant for you as it has the potential to either propel your website to the top of Google’s search rankings or cause it to sink significantly. Aptly named the ‘People First’ update, this crucial development aims to prioritize user-friendly and personalized content over SEO-driven content. In this blog, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to prepare for this forthcoming update. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Understanding Google’s ‘People First’ Update
On August 19, 2022, an article was published revealing Google’s impending update and its potential implications on SEO practices. The update is primarily targeted at website content – the words and text you employ to describe your services on your website. Many small businesses have traditionally used thin content – content with low word count and limited information. Such practices have sufficed in the past, but the digital marketing landscape is evolving rapidly.
The SEO community has been abuzz with discussions about the need for higher quality, unique, and user-focused content. While keywords and headlines still matter, the emphasis is now shifting from SEO-centric content to user-centric content. Google’s advanced AI capabilities and its drive to improve the quality of search results has catalyzed this shift. As a result, the ‘People First’ update is all set to reward those websites that provide meaningful, engaging, and user-focused content.
Now, if your website only has a sparse 100-200 words on the homepage, achieving a high rank for competitive search terms might prove to be a challenge.
Preparing for the ‘People First’ Update: A Practical Guide
Over the past year at Big West Marketing, we have employed certain tools that have helped us effectively analyze our clients’ website content and improve its quality. We’ve brought on board a new group of writers, skilled in both content creation and SEO techniques.
So, how can you prepare your website for the ‘People First’ update? Here’s our method:
- Analyze your existing content: We use a program called Frase.io, which helps us examine real-time pages we’re writing for our clients. For instance, if we were writing for an electrician in Irving, Texas, Frase.io analyzes the top 20 websites ranking for this search term and provides key metrics like the average word count and the most frequently used keywords.
- Content Creation: Based on this data, we then hire a writer (we use a platform called WriterAccess.com) to create content that surpasses these averages. The writer is given a specific word count and a list of target keywords that need to be included organically in the content. These writers are well-versed in the industries we work in, understand SEO, and are proficient in creating user-centric content.
- Design and Layout: Once the content is ready, it’s given to a web designer who presents it in an appealing and user-friendly format on the website. This includes using bullet points where needed and placing content alongside relevant images to ensure the page is both visually pleasing and easy to read.
Take Action Today
The impending ‘People First’ update is a crucial turning point in the world of SEO. To climb to the top of Google’s rankings, you need to start prioritizing user-centric content today. It’s all about presenting your content in a manner that resonates with the reader and is written for them rather than being driven solely by SEO tactics.
You can implement these techniques yourself, work with your web designer, or hire us to assist you in this process. We specialize in working with service-based businesses and contractors. So, if you’d like to prepare your website for Google’s ‘People First’ update, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Big West Marketing. It’s time to put your users first and reap the rewards in the search rankings.
