Some say strategy is the start of all great things. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google stands as one of the biggest tech giants and has redefined search engine optimization (SEO).
While it may seem like the big tech company’s takeover was easy, many steps were taken to make its internet dominance seamless. Here’s how Google has solidified itself as the go-to search engine.
The Original SEO Meaning and Purpose
It’s true that Google isn’t the first search engine to grace the internet. However, it is the first one to change how search engines share information.
In the beginning, search engines like Yahoo focused on developing business models that monetized search. But organizing the search by which advertiser paid the most came at the cost of user experience.
Rather than finding relevant information, users were being given cluttered results and had to scroll for a longer time to find information that truly applied.
That all changed when Google was founded.
The big tech company’s entire business model focuses on providing a better user experience, which means creating an algorithm that accounts for multiple factors.
Page quality, links, keywords, relevance, and advertisement pay. All of this and more have been implemented into Google’s algorithm and have changed the SEO meaning and purpose behind a search engine.
Evolving SEO Services
SEO has become one of the most vital online strategies for visibility and business growth.
Over the years, Google has been able to innovate and transform SEO services. Here’s how the big tech company has evolved SEO.
1. Links Mean Relevance
From the very beginning, Google’s algorithm was making waves by assessing a website’s relevance through backlinks.
The more backlinks a website had, the more likely it was to show up higher in a user’s search results.
This helped to set Google apart from other search engines early on. Yet, it also opened the door for spammy content that manipulated search rankings with link-building practices.
2. Integrating Quality and Relevance
In response to this manipulation, Google took extra steps to refine its SEO practices by evolving its algorithms to provide users with valuable, relevant content.
The updates that followed emphasized content quality by penalizing websites for keyword overload, duplication, and other unethical tactics.
Doing so forced creators to put more effort into creating informative, engaging, and user-centered content.
Soon, SEO evolved from being a route for monetized search to becoming a tool for content creation and distribution.
3. Becoming Mobile-Friendly
In the early days of the internet, Google and other search engines existed on computers. So, naturally, the tech giant had to evolve as users began using smartphones.
Soon enough, Google launched a mobile-friendly ranking algorithm.
The use of smartphones proved impactful. Websites that failed to create a seamless mobile experience saw a dip in their search rankings, underscoring the need for adaptable web design.
4. User Experiences Come First
From the beginning, Google focused on user experience. That’s still the case to this day.
Whether it’s loading performance, interactivity, or other factors that users never think about, Google ensures to stay a step ahead. This is because they provide users with quality content in a relevant way.
5. The E-A-T Method
Search engines know that users use their platforms for more than fun and games. People also search for help on health, finances, and other sensitive subjects.
In these cases, accurate and relevant information is crucial. That’s why Google has implemented expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (or E-A-T) as key factors in its algorithm.
By implementing these factors, Google is able to better prioritize credible sources, which guarantees that users receive accurate and reliable information.
This shift pushed sites to focus on building authority, establishing leadership, and providing well-researched content.
6. Valuing Location
For businesses with a more physical presence, Google’s local SEO tactics were a game-changer.
These algorithm updates allow companies to manage online listings, customer interactions, and local search visibility.
With many businesses finding new reach, Google’s use of local SEO proves how important it is to prioritize accurate business information and customer input.
Google has kept its spot as one of the top tech companies in the world. This is because of its ability to adapt its SEO algorithm to better fit current user needs.
With innovation, ingenious algorithms, and a passion for great user experience, Google has solidified itself as the go-to search engine worldwide.
Web Content Development’s SEO Services
Are you looking for a way to better improve your business’s reach and visibility on search engines? Web Content Development offers a wide range of highly effective SEO services. Contact us today to learn more.
