Search engine optimization is a constantly changing field. Aspects which are relevant today may not be few months from now. You have to stay up to date on what is working and be prepared to change your strategy as the search engines evolve.
Here are some current SEO trends that are working well for ranking in the SERPS.
1. Varied backlinks
Having backlinks from a variety of sources is key. Backlinks from a variety of sources adds value in the eyes of search engines. So, don’t just rely on article directories and Web 2.0’s, throw in social bookmarking, blog commenting, forum profile links, guest posting as well.
2. Nofollow vs dofollow
A popular website will have naturally a mix of nofollow and dofollow links and our link building campaigns should reflect that.
So, don’t break sweat over no-follow/ do-follow. Throw in some no follow backlinks to make the link building appear more natural to search engines.
3. Out Bound Links
Adding a link to an authority site can actually help you to rank better as it may increase its trust in the eyes of search engines. So, link out to authority websites in your niche.
4. Link velocity
Every internet marketer has his own strategy for link building. Some build the same amount of links constantly each day, every day, while others concentrate their efforts for a week in the entire month. Both of these may raise flags of artificial manipulation in the eyes of search engines. It is good to build links constantly. But, make sure you randomize the number of backlinks you build each day so it looks all natural.
5. Multi-tier backlinks
So you have built backlinks to your website. But, who is to say that those will get noticed by search engines? Another recent trend is to build backlinks to backlinks to increase their importance in the eyes of search engine. A backlink to your website which has multiple backlinks from various sources will have a greater affect on your SERPS than a backlink which has no backlinks pointing towards it. This can go on till multiple levels.
6. Social networking
For the past decade or so, social networking has taken the internet by storm. So, apart from the regular ranking factors, search engines also consider how popular a page is in social media circles, how many comments the page has received etc. Incorporate social media as a part of your marketing campaign. A great number of facebook shares likes, tweets, plus ones may translate to better SERPS for you.
7. Increased content
Pages with good content are looked on favorably upon by search engines and can lift your whole site.
Excellent tips. I’d also mention content freshness and the whole Google QDF factor.. It’s important to be persistent in adding new content and/or at least updating old content to keep it relevant.
Now, I’m not encouraging the creation of so-called evergreen content.. but it is nice to have content that is always relevant and useful.
Good stuff here, Dr. Ali. 8)
I think these strategies have always been part of the mainstay of SEO, but they’ve become much more important since Panda.
Hi
What a good read – I agree totally! I think many people don’t randomize the number of backlinks they build or they use software that definitely doesn’t look natural. The latest Google algo update has hit sites hard for not following this golden rule.
The only thing I could add is to say write unique related content. This is another reason why so many sites got into trouble after the Panda update. Good thing I say, we all need to be accountable!
Regards
Catherine