How to update content and dates for SEO in 2023

Every new year, SEOs, bloggers and publishers are eager to capitalize on “fresh content” ranking boosts by adding new dates to old or existing content. 

Google’s search advocate John Mueller again reiterated that only significant content changes should lead to a changed date in articles.

But what is considered significant? And what does it really mean to change a date?

Both depend on many factors. As always, there is middle-ground to cover so let’s dig deeper in this article. 

The evolution of fresh content ranking boosts

There was a time when updating content did not help attract visitors on Google. Then over the years, Google increasingly rewarded “fresh content.”

Do you remember the concept of “query deserves freshness” (QDF)? 

As early as 2007, former Google SVP Amit Singhal discussed how the algorithm considers searchers’ need for current information.

The QDF model aims to measure, assess and rank content based on its value for a particular (time-sensitive) search query. It was among the first algorithm tweaks meant to take user intent into account.

This meant that less authoritative but newer content would sometimes outrank high-quality but older content because some searches require current results than others. 

The example below shows a Google search for [us elections] in January 2023:

When you click the “Overview” button on top, you will get another results page with even more current results covering primarily the latest election that will take place next. (Here the “2023 United States House of Representatives elections.”)

When you search for election results, you most likely don’t want to see results from the past election (even though they have earned many links ever since). You’d want results from this election, which may not have attracted as many links yet in a short time.

In the past, the article date indicated to Google which resource was newer. Only a limited number of keywords were affected at first, and this still does not apply to all search queries.

Some SEOs started gaming this ranking signal quickly. They changed the date automatically, sometimes every day. Others removed the dates to at least not look outdated.

All this forced Google to dig deeper into the actual content’s value.

The Google algorithm has significantly changed since, but QDF is still present among other freshness systems. 

“We have various “query deserves freshness” systems designed to show fresher content for queries where it would be expected.”

– A Guide to Google Search Ranking systems, Google Search Central

This is still one of Google’s unique selling points. They have a fresher index compared to Microsoft Bing. 

Bing and alternative search engines, still heavily rely on site authority as measured by incoming links and overall trustworthiness. This works fine for some keywords but is stale for others.

What is considered ‘significant’ when updating content?

As Google heavily invests in its helpful content system and other AI-based ranking algorithm tweaks, you can rest assured that it looks beyond just an article’s date. 

The good news is that you

Read More

5 Ways To Drastically Improve The ROI Of Your SEO Strategy

Screenshot from Pi-Datametrics.com, January 2023.

In the chart above, you can see that a “target” zone has been identified within Pi Datametrics Market Intelligence‘s Estimated Revenue Opportunity.

Content for these key terms is ranking well enough, but it’s currently sitting outside the positions that get the highest number of clicks (and ultimately, revenue).

Once you have identified this low-hanging fruit, it’s a great place to focus your efforts and optimize accordingly.

There are often easy fixes within this target area, for example, sorting out internal linking causing content cannibalization.

If you can also identify how much additional revenue you would gain from improving this target content; this will help you build internal business cases for getting technical website fixes into release cycles.

How To Capitalize On Medium-Volume Keywords

  1. Identify: Find and identify content where the opportunity has already been established and you have content that already exists. Look at the content you have sitting on pages 2 and 3 of Google.
  2. Prioritize: Focus on the terms with the highest revenue opportunity in order to see a quick impact on performance numbers and goals.
  3. Optimize: Once you’ve prioritized which terms to focus on first, go through each page one by one and optimize accordingly.

3. Optimize Your Content For Informational Searches

Optimizing for long-tail searches is key to capturing your audience at multiple touchpoints before conversion.

One of the best places to start is looking at the questions your audience is asking within the People Also Ask feature of Google search.

You can do this easily with Pi Datametrics People Also Ask Explorer, as seen below.

5 Ways To Drastically Improve The ROI Of Your SEO StrategyScreenshot from Pi-Datametrics.com, February 2023.

Having a good grasp and understanding of your audience’s intent can help inform your content so that it aligns with your customer and their needs.

Google’s People Also Ask feature is a really useful tool to get inside the mind of your customer and have a clearer picture of the content they’re searching for.

Use it to explore which questions on the SERPs relate to your product and key search terms.

Then, create and optimize your content so that you answer these questions and provide your customer with the information they’re looking for, before the point of purchase.

Our research suggests that if a customer views an “informational” page before a product page, they are more likely to convert, have a higher average order value (AOV), and also be a repeat customer.

Top Tips For Influencing Your Audience Before Conversion

  1. Utilize Google’s People Also Ask feature to get inside the mind of your customer and anticipate the queries they ask Google in relation to your product.
  2. Ensure your content is optimized to answer these queries, and if it’s not, think about adding new content to your strategy.
  3. Don’t forget about other SERP features. They all provide new opportunities to get your content in front of your customers and open more doorways to your site.

4. Maximize Opportunities From The Entire SERP

Read More

Seo techniques are ‘highly sought after’ and can pay back as much as $125/hr

When it will come to advertising and marketing, numerous ― very likely most ― providers are heading digital.

“Companies want to satisfy clients where they are, and that is generally on-line,” states Margaret Lilani, vice president of expertise methods at freelancer platform Upwork. As a final result, she states, for anybody seeking for freelance work or a side hustle, digital advertising competencies “are heading to be really sought after.”

These involve social media marketing, e-mail marketing and guide generation. They also contain search motor optimization, or Seo. Gurus on Upwork providing this form of internet marketing charge as considerably as $125 for each hour.

This is what Web optimization is, particularly, and how to get started.

‘Search motor optimization is paramount if you want to be found’

Search engine optimization is the procedure of making certain your site will get picked up in organic searches, say, if an individual is on the lookout for the type of products you offer or the kind of written content you cover. Picture accomplishing a look for for French fries, snowboarding or Donna Summertime on Google. Search engine optimisation assists sites display up closer to the top rated of the record Google exhibits you that are not adverts.

Gurus in lookup engines like Google and Bing examine methods to ensure the system considers your web-site a go-to on whatever you happen to be featuring. They are going to make confident it involves pertinent keyword phrases, inbound links and material, among other techniques.

“Research motor optimization is paramount if you want to be discovered when men and women are accomplishing online searches,” claims Yolanda Owens, profession pro at The Muse, including that it’s “progressively getting to be additional and extra important.” And companies are on the hunt for gurus in the discipline.

A search for Search engine optimisation work on ZipRecruiter benefits in additional than 14,000 open roles, both section and total-time.

‘You shell out all this time and all this revenue setting up your site’

How does one grow to be an qualified in Search engine optimization? There are numerous classes and certifications readily available on the net, which includes from lookup engines like Google alone. Schools and universities provide programs as perfectly. These selection from free to as a lot as $1,000 just about every, so do your analysis prior to signing up to make positive you happen to be having the ideal system for you.

When you’ve uncovered the fundamental principles, the finest way to construct that knowledge base is by finding some on-the-floor expertise. Develop profiles on web-sites like Fiverr and Upwork and begin selecting up gigs on web pages like ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn and Monster. The a lot more expertise you accrue, the a lot more valuable you’ll come to be as an professional and the more you’ll ultimately be in a position to charge.

As lengthy as lookup engines are a key way in which men and women find what they’re hunting for, the

Read More

Why SEO experts rarely share actual success stories

Most SEO experts are still afraid to publish their success stories, with a few notable exceptions. 

Many are simply unable to share their work even when it’s successful. How can SEOs stop practicing “ghost optimization”? 

Before we dive into this question, let’s look at the reasons for the ongoing secrecy and still prevailing negativity among SEO practitioners.

SEO horror stories, anyone?

One of the most popular SEO hashtags within the industry over recent years has been #seohorrorstories. 

Why are SEO experts much more likely to share the horrible failures of the industry and their colleagues than their own success stories? 

Is this the overall prevailing negativity of society as a whole? Or do we have an internal problem aggravating the situation? 

I think it’s probably both.

First off, the recent years have led to a never-ending, downward spiral of public debate. Diplomacy has made way for trolling. 

When even presidents provoke people online to get attention, how is everybody else meant to stay civil in day-to-day conversations? 

Also, social media like Facebook and Twitter have been capitalizing on fear and anger.

Such “bad news” goes straight to our lizard brain and elicits fearful and angry reactions without consulting the parts of the brain responsible for logical thinking.

No wonder that even within the relatively professional SEO industry, the discourse has degenerated into the realm of “OMG! Look at that nonsense! How stupid!”

I’m exaggerating a bit, but that’s the essence of most shares where #seohorrorstories are involved. 

These are more than cautionary tales. It’s also a way of ridiculing those reckless enough to get caught red-handed while employing outdated SEO tactics.

Perhaps the thought process is that when one can’t shed light on their actual successes, then highlight others’ failures. This way, they indirectly stand in a better light by sheer comparison.

Of course, this is merely guesswork. The motivation behind the many horror stories may vary. It won’t simply gloat or malice, in most cases. 


Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.


‘Look at this random graph, please – the growth is stellar!’

There is also a compromise, anonymized “success” stories – where the alleged success can’t be fully reviewed by peers.

Such stories seem to be the middle ground between failure and success stories. So what is the logic behind them, then?

You will find lots of social media posts shared of random graphs without any URL connected to them.

It’s usually an analytics screenshot clumsily anonymized before publication. Ultimately, the stellar growth they exhibit lacks any credibility. 

I’m usually acquainted with those who share such success stories, so I know they won’t lie.

In most cases, they also add as much context as possible without giving away any meaningful detail so that you cannot track down the website they’re talking about.

What about industry outsiders and potential clients?

They have no idea who the people sharing the graphs are and how trustworthy the information is.

What is the purpose of sharing graphs without any context?

Read More

Top 5 Essential SEO Reporting Tools For Agencies

Your clients trust you to create real results and hit KPIs that drive their businesses forward.

Understanding the intricacies of how that works can be difficult, so it’s essential to demonstrate your progress and efforts.

SEO reporting software showcases important metrics in a digestible and visually represented way. They save guesswork and manual referencing, highlighting achievements over a specified time.

A great tool can also help you formulate action items, gauge the performance of campaigns, and see real results that can help you create new and innovative evaluations.

The latest and allegedly greatest tools hit the market all the time, promising to transform how you conduct reports.

Certainly, you have to weigh a few factors when deciding which software to implement. Price, features, and ease of use are the most important to consider.

A cost-effective tool with a steep learning curve might not be worth it for the features. Similarly, an expensive tool might be more appealing if it is user-friendly but could quickly run up costs.

Just like any transformational business decision, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine the right one for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Cost, accessibility, and features are the common thread of comparison for SEO reporting tools.
  • To truly get the best use out of an SEO reporting tool for your agency, you’ll need to weigh several details, including scalability, customization, integrations, and access to support.
  • What might be considered a subpar tool could be a game-changer for an agency. Due diligence and research are the keys to knowing what will work for your team.

What To Look For In SEO Reporting Tools

It can be tough to make heads or tails of the available tools and choose which will benefit your agency the most.

Here are the 10 essential requirements of SEO reporting tools.

1. Accurate And Current Regional Data

SEO reporting is all about data. The software must have access to accurate and current data localized to your client’s targeted region.

Search data from the U.S. is meaningless if your client tries to rank for [London plumbing services], so localization matters.

The tool must update data regularly and with reliable accuracy so you can make informed decisions about where your client stands against the competition.

2. Integration With Third-Party Tools

Especially for full-scale digital marketing campaigns, the ability to report on all KPIs in one place is essential.

The more available integrations with third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Google Business Profile, Majestic), the better.

Some tools even allow you to upload custom data sets.

3. Scalability

You don’t want to have to retrain or reinvest in new software every time your agency reaches a new tier.

The right SEO reporting tool should work well for your current business size and leave room for expansion as you onboard more clients.

4. Strong Suite Of Features

A great SEO reporting tool should include:

  • Position tracking.
  • Backlink monitoring.
  • Competitor data.
  • Analytics.

It is a bonus if the tool has reporting features for social

Read More

3 SEO tools to build for your clients in Looker Studio

With the wide variety of clients out there, you’re bound to run into the occasional DIY marketer. These marketers prefer that you teach them how to be self-sufficient rather than rely on you for every little question.

These clients can be a blessing but can also be dangerous. The challenging aspect of client management is finding the balance between empowering them to get the data they want without feeling like they don’t need you.

That’s where Google’s Looker Studio tools come into play.

Looker Studio is typically used for general reporting. The real beauty of Looker Studio is that it can be used for so much more. 

By creating tools for clients, you enable them to do the actual research it takes to accomplish SEO while still providing that much-needed maintenance and guidance that comes with experience. 

This article illustrates free dashboard templates you can use with your clients. 

How to change the branding

Before we dive into the specifics, you may want to update the branding and logo of your dashboard. This process could not be easier.

Right-click on your logo, and you will see a menu appear. Near the bottom, select “Extract theme from image.” You will then be presented with three different color scheme options. Select whichever one you feel best represents your brand.

This will automatically change most of the colors and get you most of the way to the finish line of designing in your Looker Studio tool. However, there may still be a few charts or texts you’ll need to update.

1. Technical SEO auditing

Tracking technical SEO efforts can be difficult to visualize. Sure, you can track it in a spreadsheet, but that isn’t client-friendly. 

For years, SEOs have attempted to make dashboard trackers to help show improvements in site health over time. 

Luckily, our friends at Screaming Frog have finally cracked the case of the perfect technical SEO dashboard. The best part? The template is free. You can see it here.

How to copy the dashboard

To copy the dashboard:

  1. Click on the three dots in the top right
  2. Select make a copy
  3. Select your data source (don’t worry, you can update later)

How to set up the technical SEO tracker tool

Screaming Frog has published a helpful guide on setting up this Looker Studio tool. What they will walk you through includes:

  • Setting up a scheduled crawl
  • Configuring the export to a Google Sheet
  • Connecting that Google Sheet to the Looker Studio dashboard

You can find the full tutorial here.


Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.


2. Keyword research

The presentation of keyword research takes many forms. Most recognizable is the simple spreadsheet. Some people create keyword maps for each page or topic, while others with smaller clients have a short list of keywords.

However, Looker Studio can be a powerful analysis tool for larger sites with tens of thousands or millions of keywords.

If you are working with millions of keywords, do not use Google Sheets

Read More