Your Daddy’s Keywords

So what is “Hummingbird”? And what has that got to do with the way you think of search terms and keywords?

The recent roll-out of “Hummingbird,” Google’s update of its search criteria and algorithms may be the most subtle and yet most revolutionary change in recent time.  It is the transition from exact word search based on the words you actually type in to the actual  meaning of the words you type or speak in. That is right – SPEAK in.

It is the speaking part that holds such allure, because Google now weighs how you say a phrase as well as what you say. It determines what you want perhaps before you know what you want.

For example, if your tone emphasizes a word in a phrase, Google will note that and try to please you. This can result in a complete sea change of results. If you  type in “Italian restaurant James Island” Old Google will search those four words. But if you say “Find me an Italian restaurant on James Island” and your voice stresses the word “Find,” New Google may interpret that to include not only the restaurants but the directional services to help you get there. Subtle, but revolutionary.

Also, based on info that Google has amassed on you from your willing participation in their products to previous searches in the past, New Google will also factor in what you – yes YOU– are likely to want. Maybe you selected only upscale restaurants last time you did a search. So New Google may assume you want the pricier restaurants listed first.

Or, since New Google knows exactly where you live, the search results are compiled by the locations nearest yourhome.

What does this mean for a website owner and how does this impact your search rankings? There is no data yet to ascertain if it helps you or hurts you. But one thing is certain more than ever: content is king!

Make sure your website content is clear and concise on every single page. Worry less about your planting of strategic keywords and more about the overall message and clarity of your entire website content. Your daddy’s keywords will not help you so much anymore. Now Google is about what your daddy’s grand-kids are thinking, not typing out word by word.