Keep Your Content Sweet By Optimizing For Semantic Search
Posted on: September 12, 2019
Today, Google is the first site that most users go to whenever they want to search something up. Whether it be searching for a restaurant, a how-to question they have, or even for specific directions to a location – it is hard to deny Google’s prominence in today’s world.
Providing instant results, and based on the keywords you searched for – Google and its algorithm will then present you with the most personalised, relevant and useful list of answers.
How does Google achieve this? The answer is through semantic search.
What is semantic search?
The 4 key semantic search factors are:
- User content
- Natural language processing (NLP)
- Query stream context
- Entity identification
These factors are the semantic search capabilities that work to understand users’ intents when they search for something on Google. Google uses updates from Google Hummingbird and semantic search to identify the user intent and provide answers.
Using its algorithms – it will then decide on the most credible source of information and pull it out for users accordingly.
How to use SEO to optimize content for semantic search
Stand from the users’ point of view
Firstly, you have to stand at the user’s point of view when they are attempting to search something. For instance, if the question were to be “What is SEO?”, it means that the user wants to know and learn more about SEO. From this, some informational keywords and phrases that would likely factor into the search are:
- Definition of SEO
- Meaning of SEO
- Search Engine Optimization
- Guide to SEO
Therefore, you have to take into account all these related keywords while creating your content. This could comprise of the following terms and phrases:
- SEO services
- Best SEO tools
Keep the headlines focused on the search
You would want your content to appear at the forefront of not just one, but numerous search results. Therefore, you have to ensure that your headlines are relevant and straight to the point.
For example, to provide the answer to the question, “How to create a content marketing strategy?” – make sure to directly reflect that through your headline to immediately capture the reader’s attention.
Keep content short, sweet and easy to read
When users search something up on Google, it is likely because they are unsure and seeking for answers. It is important that you do not bombard users with too much information, instead keeping answers short and sweet – avoid using an extensive amount of business jargon or technical terms and expressions.
Add pictures to your content
There are two things that Google loves – a user-first approach, and highly engaging content. And images do just that – supporting written content to perform better simply because it aids in providing a more complete answer that is easy to absorb by users.
Want to learn more? Learn both the basic and advanced techniques and know-how by enrolling in an SEO course with us! Or else, consider consulting an experienced Digital Marketing Agency to help you implement all these tips and stretch your content that much further!
