Google’s Latest Updates – January 2020

Google’s Latest Updates

Have you noticed any recent changes in Google’s search results? There are a few small but critical changes that you need to be aware of to stay ahead of the pack.

YouTube Results

25% of Google searches now contain YouTube videos within the results. In most cases, they are appearing above the fold in a carousel style like this:

This is not surprising, considering that Google owns YouTube. With Google putting more and more focus on YouTube results, I hear you ask: what can you do to take advantage of this recent change?

In a nutshell, there are a 3 simple factors that Google is taking into consideration:

1. Video Optimisation
   Ensure that your title and description accurately describe your video and are optimised using relevant keywords. Tags also allow you to include relevant keywords related to your video.
2. Video Popularity
   Google is more likely to show videos with a higher volume of views on YouTube. By optimising your channel and thumbnails, as well as promoting your channel through your website and other social profiles, you will increase the likelihood of your videos being shown within the Google search results.
3. Engagement Signals
   An audience engagement signal is triggered whenever someone interacts with a YouTube video. Google is more likely to show your video if it has a high volume of engagement signals.

Favicons

In 2019, Google announced that all mobile search results would show a prominent favicon next to each search result. A favicon is defined as a small square icons that appears within the tabs in your web browser like this:

Only a few days ago, Google made a new announcement that it will also show favicons next to desktop search results. This is Google’s attempt to place a website’s branding front and centre.

They also made some further small tweaks to the search results, including:

1. The website path (URL) now appears in black text to the right hand side of the favicon, above the page Title.
2. The ‘Ad’ marker which was previously green now appears in bold black text on the left hand side of the website path (where the favicon appears within organic search results)

However, the changes have not been received well by SEO experts so watch this space to see if Google retains them.

Adding a favicon to your website is quick and easy on WordPress sites. Simply, create a small square .png file and upload it to Appearance > Customize > Site Identity.

Google Voice Search

Please checkout our recent article on Google Voice Search to learn more about further changes to Google searches in 2020.

Want to Know More?

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