You already know that Google essentially owns the internet. Since the average person searches Google several times every single day, maybe you even used Google to get to this blog post.
As a content creator, the way to success is clear: get people to find your posts when they Google.
Easier said than done. Search engine optimization is a tough nut to crack. There’s too much information out there! And Google’s algorithm is more top secret than the nuclear codes! So how are you as a content creator supposed to navigate it?
Here’s what you need to know:
Google has a “helpful content algorithm.” What that means for you is that since Google is always trying to get people the search result that will best fit their needs, you can turn your site into something more helpful, and therefore, higher on the search results. Google is ranking your website and posts among thousands (or millions…) of other search results. Ultimately, getting higher in its rankings should be goal number one for any creator looking to increase their revenue.
Let’s talk about how to climb that algorithm ladder.
First, go straight to the source–make sure you’re following Google’s Search Status Dashboard so you’re aware of any changes as they come out. For example, in November 2023 Google released two updates: a reviews update and a core update. Google might not go into detail about what it has changed in its core updates, and it’s pretty much impossible to get a taste of their secret sauce. Still, it should be an exclamation point for you, shouting out, “Monitor your traffic! Monitor your traffic!”
Google Analytics should be your best friend no matter what, but if you’re able to map its data to Google’s core algorithm updates, it can be a signal that the search engine has affected your business and you need to make changes. If you see that your traffic drops after a core update, you might want to explore more about the update and adjust your content. Alternatively, if you’re suddenly ranking higher and generating more traffic, that uptick can mean you know you’re doing it right!
Recent updates
For the November 2023 reviews update, Google says that they will be consistently working on their reviews algorithm. Here’s the kicker: they also said that going forward they will not explicitly release news updates about it. That’s a bummer because if you’re an affiliate marketer, you need to be hyper-aware of these updates. Use them to your advantage by making sure your products have helpful reviews included. Buying from a blog post instead of a brick and mortar store has risks that Google is trying to mitigate, so when you create your content, frame yourself as an authority figure on the subject.
Think carefully about what information would be needed for a successful purchase. You’ve been on Amazon, so you know what this means—pictures! Details! Specifics! Pros! Cons! Alternatives! Give the people what they want!
Maybe this is all sounding overwhelming, and you want to pay big money for an SEO optimizing tool. But if you’re not willing to shell out for that, there’s good news–you can just follow Google’s own advice. It’s in Google’s best interest to create the best internet possible too, right? Google wants to make sure that your content is original, insightful, and reliable for whatever topic it is covering.
Use Google’s list of questions to make sure you’re hitting what it wants to see in your content, such as:
- Does the main heading or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
- Does the content provide a substantial, complete, or comprehensive description of the topic?
- Does the content have any spelling or stylistic issues?
One last hint:
Reuse old content. Your new posts are great, but don’t forget about past posts! The best part of these are that they’re already written, so they need less work. You can ensure an old post continues to attract traffic by making sure it remains up to date and user-friendly. And remember, Google’s algorithm loves when you are an “authority” on a subject, so having lots of articles on the same topic not only makes you look like the expert you are, but that drives traffic right to your virtual doorstep!
Shared Vision’s Noah tool can help with this, too. As an affiliate shopping AI, it scans your old posts for broken links and product updates automatically. It deep links your blog posts to make them more helpful for your readers (which Google’s algorithm will appreciate!) and best of all, since it’s an AI it’s always learning, so just by using it you’re making it better.
Continuous improvement means continuous revenue!
