Introduction: Unraveling Google’s Second Quarter Updates
In the second quarter of 2018, Google’s algorithm witnessed significant updates namely, the reversal of snippet length increase and the introduction of video carousels. This period marked a shift aimed at improving user experience on the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
These changes, following the trend of providing more precise and visually engaging information, showed Google’s commitment to making the SERPs more user-friendly and informative.
Snippet Length Increase Reversed: A Step Back to Step Forward
Earlier in 2017, Google had increased the snippet length to display more descriptive information in the SERPs. However, the Q2 update saw a reversal of this, bringing the snippet length back to around 150-160 characters.
This reversal aimed at keeping the search results page clean and less overwhelming, ensuring that users get concise information, thus improving the click-through rates.
Video Carousels: A Visual Leap Forward
Replacing the traditional video boxes, video carousels made their entry into the SERPs. This update facilitated a more interactive and visually engaging way for users to find video content related to their queries.
The integration of video carousels not only enhanced user engagement but also opened new avenues for video content creators to get their content featured in the SERPs.
SEO Implications: Adapting to the New Norm
The reversal of snippet length necessitated SEO professionals to re-strategize their meta-description optimization techniques, ensuring conciseness without compromising on relevance.
On the other hand, the video carousels brought about a need for better video SEO, emphasizing the importance of video content optimization and rich snippets to garner visibility in the SERPs.
Future Projections: Preparing for the Visual Era
These updates hint at a bigger picture where visual content will play a pivotal role in SERPs. SEO strategies henceforth will need to align with this visual trend to stay competitive.
The emphasis on concise textual information alongside interactive visual content suggests a balanced approach toward providing a rich user experience.
Conclusion
The Q2 2018 updates by Google have significantly shaped the SEO landscape. The emphasis has shifted towards creating a balanced and engaging user experience by integrating visual elements like video carousels and ensuring concise, relevant textual information with the snippet length reversal. SEO professionals need to adapt to these changes to ensure visibility and engagement on the SERPs, thus marking a step towards a more visually interactive and user-centric approach in SEO strategies.
