What’s this about?
This is an extract from TWIS SEO News & Updates 11 August 2017.
Read this post to find out about Google Topic Tags and how to use them to create a range of content which surfaces for these tags.
Contact me to discuss how to build out keyword / topic research properly to design a content strategy which surfaces content in a much broader range of searches.
#SEO #SERP #KeywordResearch #ContentStrategy
Google Topic Tags Surfacing in SERPs
Summary:
- Andreaa Calin spotted these distinctive topic tags in response to the query “latest Google update”, done on mobile
- They are different to the current query expansion / extension pack and provided slightly different results.
- Interestingly the results for the query were poor (no QDF). I would have expected a stronger temporal element to the results and a link to pages listing the latest google updates. The dated listing is from March!
- Clearly Google also had significant issue narrowing down the meaning of the search – “chrome”, “android”, really?
- This is the second or third time this has popped up. It may be getting closer to general release.
Actions to take:
- If this is the way Google Search is going to take us, we are going to need to be very broad in our approach to on-page terminology used to describe content.
- If it’s not, and Google is going to get tagging a bit more relevant, then the same rules apply as they do currently.
- Occasionally research your keyword / topics through Google itself.
- See what is listed.
- Look at what related searches pop up.
- Build content that serves those needs to rank across the spectrum of searches.
- Don’t asssume that a page should focus on a single keyword, or that a limited set of keywords / topics should be all that you need for ranking success.
- Contact me to discuss how to build out keyword / topic research properly to appear in a much broader range of searches.
Discussion:
We know that Google is always testing different layouts, features etc in search, such as: Google Testing Featured Snippets, or Google Tests Auto Playing Videos in SERPs and it is often up to eagle-eyed SEOs to spot these fleeting tests.
The assumption is that there is a closed, or very small, group who weed out the really silly ideas, followed by a wider group who refine again, and then finally some of the general public get to see them and their actions will impact how soon it is before the change is implemented.
You have to think that by the time Google shows these things to a number of people, they are fairly close to being ready.
More info:
Mobile First is NOT Mobile Friendly
TL;DR
- Looks like a new SERP feature is on the way in mobile.
- Google Topic Tags draw poorish results, but can be used to design a fuller Content Strategy.
- I like these “live” tests. You have to assume Google is usually fairly close to release when they appear.
- Read The State of SEO in mid-2017.
- Read about how Google’s Mobile First Index is not Mobile Friendly.
Thanks for reading. If you would like to discuss what these changes mean for your web property, or would like to know how to implement them, please feel free to contact me.
