SEO is a constantly evolving beast. An algorithm upgrade puts a kink in your plan when you think you know exactly what Google is looking for. In order to get sustainable SEO success with Google, you need to follow the guidelines and adapt the changes as and when required.
So, what is a person to do?
While algorithm adjustments and enhancements will continue, some tried-and-true SEO strategies will remain in use. You can increase your results while also future-proofing your site against Google’s inevitable adjustments by using these methods on your site.
There are two ways to affect change with SEO: on-page and technical. We will take a close look at both in this post.
Tips for On-Page SEO in 2024
Focusing your efforts on on-page SEO methods is an excellent place to start if you’re new to SEO or want to make rapid, impactful adjustments. Your SEO success with Google highly depends on the On-Page SEO.
Here are some key SEO pointers to bear in mind as you plan your approach for 2022.
1. Look for long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are more precise and lengthier than standard target keywords. Although they have a lesser search volume than shorter terms, they can be extremely useful.
Long-tail keywords reveal why individuals search for something specific rather than just what they’re looking for. In comparison to shorter terms, they currently account for a higher search volume.
According to a recent survey, long-tail keywords account for 91.8 percent of all searches. This is a significant shift from the internet’s early days.
Long-tail keywords have a higher search intent, which is one reason to use them. Because they are more particular, you may narrow down the keywords to those that are most closely related to the actions you want users to take on your website.
“How to rank on Google” is an example of a long-tail term. As opposed to a short-tail term like “Google ranking,” this is a long-tail keyword.
These versions have completely different intentions. You can see that the user is asking a question in the case of “how to rank on Google,” implying that they are searching for a direct solution.
We don’t really know what the user’s purpose is when it comes to “Google ranking.” Perhaps they’re just trying to figure out what it means.
Long-tail keywords, while not always the case, tend to have lesser search volume and, as a result, reduced competition. As a result, they may be simpler to rank for.
How can you make long-tail keywords work for you in your content?
You don’t want to cram a bunch of long-tail terms into your current content in the hopes that something will stick.
This could have the exact opposite impact of what you want.
Add long-tail keywords to your content with these tips:
Make a list of the blog subjects you’d like to discuss.
Use a keyword research tool like Ubersuggest to enter the most general phrase/title of each topic.
Identify long-tail keywords with a high search volume and low competition/CPC that are connected to your chosen themes.
Reduce the number of terms on your list to those that have a high search intent. If you’re a credit card company, for example, and one of your themes is “how to open a credit card for the first time,” a long-tail keyword you could target is “how to open a credit card for the first time.”
Create material that satisfies the user’s goal in relation to the chosen term.
2. Use keywords in image alt text
An picture’s alt text, also known as alternative text, is a brief description of the image. It is still a significant element to get SEO success with Google in terms of ranking, according to MozCast, with more than a 20% impact on results.
There are three main uses for alt text:
Accessibility:
For visually impaired users, alt text is read out loud using a screen reader. Unfortunately, 55 percent of e-commerce sites do not meet basic accessibility requirements.
Context:
When an image cannot be loaded onto the page, the alt text appears as a substitute to give readers context.
Search engine optimization:
Alt text is used by search engine crawlers to help them properly index a picture. In 2021, Google stated that alt text is “still vital for SEO.”
Google’s algorithm improves as the internet gets more accessible. This means that accessible websites will take precedence over inaccessible websites. After all, the more accessible a site is, the more traffic it may generate.
Use keywords in the alt text in the following ways:
Consider the image first and then create a description to go with it.
Make sure your description accurately describes the image. Don’t overcomplicate things.
Consider how you might include your primary or secondary keywords in the alt image text. For instance, noting that an image is a screenshot of the process described in your content.
