As an SEO guy, I can't help but address the elephant in the room: Google's mixed messages about content, links, and their algorithm. It can be frustrating, but the truth is, SEO success isn't about following Google's every word; it's about focusing on a long-term, holistic strategy.
For years, Google has claimed that links might become less important in the future, but we've only seen their significance increase. Just look at authority sites with top-notch backlinks, which manage to rank for topics unrelated to their main focus. If links were truly less important, smaller websites with better content would consistently outrank them – but that's not the case.
The rapid advancements in AI technology (sorry, I nearly went through a whole newsletter without mentioning it) mean that the top search results often contain rehashed content. Google's latest "Link Spam Update" (Dec 2022) appears to be a response to the growing role of AI in content creation. High-quality backlinks are crucial because they're hard to obtain and serve as a measure of objective quality in the face of AI-generated content.
So, instead of obsessing over every update from Google, I urge you to adopt a comprehensive, long-term approach to SEO. Focus on building an easy-to-navigate website, creating genuine content for your audience, obtaining quality backlinks, promoting your brand, and establishing trust. By doing so, you'll be well on your way to SEO success – no matter what Google says next.
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Are you looking for SEO help? Just a quick note to say that I’m currently taking on a few new clients. You can reach out to me at james@seotagg.com if you want me to take a personal look at your site/project.