DBE recently covered Google’s search algorithm Core Update in our June 8th What’s Hot Wednesday. We noted the update (which was global and applicable to all regions and languages) was designed to assess and reward website content considered more relevant to specific search queries.

Google has a long history of making algorithm updates. If you are an SEO nerd, check out this post in Search Engine Journal that documents Google algorithm updates all the way back to 2003. If you’re not a nerd, but are interested in a general understanding of the purpose of Google’s updates and how to align your SEO initiatives with them, please read on.

Google’s goal for its search ranking algorithms (yes, there are more than one) has consistently been to deliver the most relevant website pages to a search query on its search engine results pages (SERPs). Updates to the algorithms have typically focused on one or more of four basic factors:

1. Content (e.g., this recent Core Update)
2. Page Experience (e.g., the update from last year that included Core Web Vitals, Mobile Friendliness, Ad Experience, and other behavior signals)
3. Link Profile (e.g., the Panda and Penguin updates that targeted and penalized websites with spammy links)
4. Search Intent (e.g., BERT’s natural language processing algorithm that works to better understand and gauge the purpose of the search)

You may have also heard of Google’s “Experience-Authority-Trustworthiness” framework (often referred to as E-A-T) that is reportedly influencing the rankings of web pages using a combination of signals across all the above factors.

So if Google wants to keep its algorithm formulas secret, why does it publish/announce these updates when they are made? Because Google wants to continue to be successful in delivering relevant search results and needs our help to improve those results.

This is why DBE’s Real SEO practice combines Technical, On-Site Content, and Off-Site Authority signals to position clients’ websites to be found and ranked by Google algorithms… and why we have never been penalized by Google for black-hat practices in 20 years… and why we are never scared when Google announces its next update. We’re evolving our best practices right along with what we see Google is rewarding.

Hi All! ?

First full week of June is already bustling with digital marketing news, and we’re ready to spill the beans! 1, 2, 3… GO!

• Get ready for this research finding: Gen Z is 99% likely to hit ‘skip’ on an ad if it is an option. Discover more about Gen Z’s search for authenticity in this Marketing Tech article.

• Hear ye, hear ye. *Unrolls scroll* Google hath decreed: On June 26, Shopping Ads product descriptions will automatically update based on landing page info…. Whether this is good or bad depends on the marketer.

• Search Engine Roundtable has the skinny on the latest Google algorithm “May 2002 Broad Core Update” that was launched May 25. The update “is not a penalty, it promotes or rewards great web pages.” And early indications are DBE’s SEO clients are indeed benefiting. Of course, we are continuing to monitor activity closely and will provide any updates on this and future updates as they occur.

• How do you get people to connect with your brand? (Isn’t that an age-old question?) Think with Google released a quick video about building a strong connection with your audience for YouTube ads. Check it out!

Do Good Spotlight

? Trenton Area Soup Kitchen ?

Food first is the mission of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). Learn more about this steady, relied-upon resource for the disadvantaged of Trenton here: https://www.trentonsoupkitchen.org/ and consider how you can help.

We donated as we do for all our spotlighted organizations. Have an organization you want us to consider? Let us know: info@digitalbrandexpressions.com.

• Do you have some spare time next Tuesday and Wednesday (June 14 & 15)? If so, you may want to sign up for the virtual SMX Advanced conference because, for the first time ever, this expert-level search marketing training is F-R-E-E! As always, there are tracks for SEO, PPC and related Solutions sessions with live Q&A. Bonus: if you can’t make the sessions live, they will be available to registrants for replay later. Check out the agenda online today.

• ? Hot Tips from DBE ? There are a lot of people claiming the title “thought leader,” but what does that really mean? Get a new look at thought leadership on social media through DBE’s lens.

Wishing you all a productive and fun week!

Rock on ?

Natalie

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Aloha

Hope everyone has been enjoying the balmy weather. Nothin’ like the early summer sun to perk you up! Speaking of perking up, we know you’ve been itching to hear the latest digital marketing news, so let’s get to it!

• ? Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes ? … are coming to Google Ads. Here’s what ya gotta know:
  • Google will be allowing users to reuse audiences across campaigns.
  • Name changes will be taking place… including switching “remarketing” to “your data”
  • Google is consolidating audience metrics to a new Audience tab in the left-hand navigation.

• The good news is that SEO is not dead. ?
  The bad news is that “black-hat” SEO isn’t. ?
  In this Search Engine Journal article, learn about the pitfalls of schema stuffing (gross) and reinforce leveraging SEO to help Google “see” the relevance of your content (AKA real SEO).

• Twitter is in the news yet again for a less favorable reason… The company was fined $150 million for misusing private info. More info here.

• Continuing on the privacy protection crusade, Facebook is paying Illinois residents checks of US$397 because the company was taking and saving digital scans of resident’s faces without permission.

Do Good Spotlight

? Clean Air Task Force ?

The Clean Air Task Force is working to decarbonize the global energy system to address climate change. They push the change in technologies and policies needed to get to a zero-emissions, high-energy planet at an affordable cost. They imagine a world where the energy needs of all people are met efficiently without damaging the atmosphere. We donated to help support them and here’s where you can learn more: https://www.catf.us/

• Search Engine Watch tells us that a SEO content strategy should start with the 3 awareness stages of online audiences: awareness, consideration, and decision. In addition, you should be aligning your SEO reporting KPIs with these stages to demonstrate the direct and assisted value of your SEO efforts.

• Emarketer reports TikTok is projected to overtake YouTube (albeit barely) in terms of daily time spent on the app. Meanwhile, the Executive Summary of Emarketer’s Report on TikTok Advertising shows an 184% increase in Net Ad Revenues in 2022 but that TikTok is only getting 1.4% of the digital advertising spending pie. What’s the real story? Decide for yourself in the articles above.

Thanks for tuning in, y’all. ?

See ya on the flipside,

Natalie

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Howdy

The newsletter baton has been passed from our wonderful CEO & President, Niki Fielding, to me, Natalie Lorenzo, Client Experiences and Marketing Manager here at DBE. Niki left some mighty big shoes to fill, but we’ll make sure to have a blast as we run through the latest in digital marketing tea. Now, buckle up and keep your hands inside the vehicle for this week’s edition of What’s Hot Wednesday!

• For our SEO fanatics, Search Engine Watch released an article that may help you rethink your approach to keyword research… especially now that exact-match is as precise as a pig on ice.

• Speaking of keyword optimization, Search Engine Land has this article: “Surprise: ‘Near me’ brand names don’t rank higher for ‘near me’ searches”. To no one’s surprise, the article says optimizing ‘near me’ keywords is no longer a valid strategy. Optimizing your Google Business Profile is a better strategy for being found locally. What the article doesn’t say is that using ‘near me’ keywords is still a very viable strategy for paid search ads. Get the rest of the scoop here.

Do Good Spotlight ? Food Not Bombs ? Food Not Bombs has been working to combat world hunger since 1980. Their all-volunteer movement provides people with food insecurity organic produce, bread and other foods at locations across the world. Even though they provide meals and groceries to thousands of people, they are not a charity. Food Not Bombs is trying to inspire the public to participate in changing society and focus resources on solving problems like hunger, homelessness and poverty while seeking an end to war and the destruction of the environment. They are also showing by example that organizations can work cooperatively with leaders through volunteer efforts to provide essential needs like food, housing, education, and healthcare. See how you can help the cause today!

• College graduation season is upon us. ? Asking the right questions when hiring entry-level marketing talent is crucial. See what Search Engine Land has to say on hiring when the hirees have limited experience.

• Google is giving us those *new-look-who-dis vibes*. Instead of ‘ad’ showing up, ‘sponsored’ and ‘advertisement’ may show up too. ? See what this could mean for your ads.

Looking forward to our future weekly chats… ☕

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