TLDR: Google Search API Leak: SEO Validations & Learnings
In case you missed it: Last week there was a significant leak of Google Search documentation unveiling secrets and validations of the Google Search algorith, as covered by Rand Fishkin and Mike King who continue to dive deeply into the data packets and others will no doubt come to the party.
With over 14,000 factors and thousands of documents, the coverage is fantastic but a tad technical, so I've reviewed and outlined the top 5 takeaways for marketing generalists and business managers who know SEO is important and could use direction and context.?
Read the post here where I provide context on all the below factors, a top-line view of the findings and learnings to take on.
Top 5 SEO Findings from Google Search API leak
Clicks matter more than you think
Turns out, Google may use click data (short clicks, bounces) to gauge user satisfaction and potentially reorder search results.
SEO has been focused on what it takes to rank and get the click, but what happens after the click may matter even more.?
SEO Fundementals & Site Signals are important
The leak validated many SEO fundementals around keywords in page titles, internal links and raised questions around the contentious point around the use of a site/domain authority metric (and/or home page's role in sitewide performance.
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Links still valuable, but Referral traffic links are best!
We know links are important and while Google says don't buy links, make content that makes people want to link to you. Getting links does work, but building links on sites no one will click or visit will, at best, be ignored and, at worst, get you penalised.
WTF are Twiddlers?! Pay attention!
The leak introduced "Twiddlers" - systems that can re-rank/override the search results based on signals they recieve.
Their existence and the focus on measuring user behaviour means SEO's job keeps going after the click, through the analysis of behaviour to determine if it was a good click or a bad click and working collaboratively with the business to ensure the bad becomes good and the good becomes great.
YourMoneyYourLife is measured, making E-E-A-T an essential practice.
Metrics for YMYL query classification and detection were found, highlighting high-risk industries (health, finance), where Google measures Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust (E-E-A-T). Ensure your content creators are industry experts and build trust with customer reviews.
Epic huh! Want to know more??
Lots to unpack and more will come as SEOs around the world cotninue to dig into the leaked Google SEO documentation.
Want to learn more? Dive deeper into our full POV on the Google SEO API Leak for more context, findings and learnings you can take forward.
Senior Manager | Data-led | Editorial | Content Marketing | Strategy
4 个月This is a great wrap for anyone who’s missed the news, or feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. Also extremely validating for many writers, who often have to argue that a click to a page that doesn’t deliver, isn’t a good click. Titles = expectations, and not delivering on those = distrust, from cusometers - and the almighty Google.
Strategic Marketing Director | Experienced Leader | Growth Specialist
4 个月Anthony Hook Steven Muir-McCarey have a look
Designer, Front -en backend developer, SEO en marketing
4 个月excited to dive into your insights on the google search api leak. ??