Aside from written content, images are also excellent tools for optimizing a website. It attracts visitors and it can also be optimized for SEO. In fact, by optimizing your website images, you can gain more organic traffic more than you expect.

So to make the most out of your content, make sure that you optimize your images through the following steps:

Keep it relevant

The first thing that you have to consider is the relevance of the image to your content. For example, there’s no point in using cat photos if your niche site is about dogs. Also, try to use original photos, especially if you’re building a business website. Your customers will appreciate seeing your actual team and not just another dude from a stock photo.

Place Alt Texts

Once you posted a photo on your website, make sure that it has an accompanying Alternative Text. Alt Texts are useful that when an image didn’t load properly, the page visitor will still know what the picture is about. Aside from that, you can use Alt Text as an avenue to optimize your keywords.

Pick the best format

Actually, there’s no right or wrong format. You just have to use one that loads fast in the search engine. JPEG files are ideal, especially if you’re using larger and high-definition photos. Meanwhile, PNG photos are handy if you need a transparent background.  If you’re aiming for small file sizes without compromising quality, go for WebP.

Use the right file name

Nope, it shouldn’t be picture1.jpeg. For you to optimize an image, it’s best to use your keyword and what’s in the picture. For example, if you have a photo of a Golden Retriever, the file name should be like golden-retriever-puppy.jpeg and not DSC123.jpg. By adding these little details, you’re utilizing all possible means of getting your pages seen.

Resize it right

When it comes to search engine optimization, fast loading speeds are crucial. This means that you should avoid photos with very large file sizes. Worse, a high-definition photo will be shown in poor quality because of its extremely large size. So make sure that you resize the image based on how you want it to show up.

Add captions

Aside from Alt Text, you can also utilize the caption area to optimize your website photo. According to YoastSEO, the caption of a photo is read about 300% more than the entire text of the post. So as much as possible, keep it succinct well-optimized with your keywords.

Anyway, you don’t necessarily have to add a caption for each photo that you’ll use. Just do so for main images that encapsulate the key ideas of your post.

Consider structured data 

Structured data allows search engines to read and crawl your published images faster. This is very helpful, especially if you’re aiming for a better image listing. Aside from that, Google itself can add a badge to a photo if it belongs to a product or recipe. That’s added value and visibility for your website.

Fake local listings are a big headache for business owners. It keeps them from ranking higher and it also gives out false information to use searchers. Worse, these spammy listings make your business look less trustworthy. Another problem here is that the spam listings rank higher on the local pack, burying you further in the listing limbo.

As much as the Local Finder might be mired with multiple fake listings, there are ways to get rid of them. Below, we discussed some steps on how you can deal with these listings.

Search for your business 

The first step to find spammy listings is by searching for your business while you’re in its location. Use the keywords on which you’re ranking for to see which results will show up. If you’re ranking well, you can do this process in a different location where you also want to rank.

After entering the query, click the “more businesses” button below the local pack. This will open the Local Finder, where more businesses are listed based on ranking. Take note that this is 100% the same as the rankings of the local pack.

Identify the spam

Now that you see the long list past the local pack, it’s time to hunt the spams. Here’s what you have to do:

Check the Google Streetview

If you suspect that a listing is spam, check its Google Maps Streetview. If you see a crossroad, an empty parking lot, or a house, then consider it as a red flag.

Check similar NAP

If several business listings on the Local Finder have the same phone number and address, you should keep a close eye on it. Also, look out for business names that are too long and incoherent. If you have doubts, call the number and see who will answer.

Report the spam

If you confirmed that the listing is nothing but spam, the next step is to report it. The first thing you can do is to suggest an edit to the listing.  You can suggest an edit and then pick the tab “change name and other details”. After that, choose in the drop-down arrow the condition that matches the listing best. You can even ask it to be removed together with documentation or a screenshot of your proof.

If this step didn’t come to fruition, you’d have to wrap your head around the Google Business Redressal Complaint Form. This is where you’re going to document your complaint. This is usually the last resort if suggesting an edit didn’t work.

Wait for the results  

Shortly after submitting a request to edit, you’ll receive an email from Google confirming that they will look into the matter. Usually, Google will act upon the request within 24 hours and you’ll see instant results within that timeline.

In fact, from the top 8, your business can advance to top 3 or top 5 if you successfully removed spammy listings.

You can repeat this process for other keywords and business locations that you have. That way, you can increase your visibility on the web and you’re more likely to be included in the local pack.

As a new year or a new decade approaches, your website should be well-prepared. Algorithm changes will come and you have to be prepared before it impacts your ranking. Like what they said, new year, new beginnings. So to make new beginnings on your website, here are the things you should do to get your site ready for 2020:

Perform a competitive analysis

As the year pushes to its close, you may want to check what your competitor is doing. Look how they fared in the search in the past year and see what you can do to outrank them.

Take note that you’re not supposed to copy your competitors. Instead, use their performance as a guide for yours. Besides, some of your competitor’s techniques may not be suitable for your website.

Conduct a website audit

With a full website audit, you can spot on-page SEO problems as well as technical issues that have to be addressed right away.

However, if you’re running out of time, it’s best to prioritize technical issues first. The rest of the on-page SEO problems can be addressed over time.

Clear CTAS

For sure, you’ve made a special offer for Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Before the year ends, you may need to remove some of it which has already expired. As much as Google doesn’t give too much fuss about expired links, it’s best to remove it to prevent confusing our site visitors.

Update your privacy policy

The GDPR updates last year really took the web by storm. Even if you’re not located in the EU, it’s best to dust off your privacy policy to ensure that it’s at par with your customers’ needs. You should also start knowing more about GDPR since it’s here to stay.

Be Flash-free

After years of powering up the web, Flash is about to say goodbye. Adobe announced that Flash Player will stop working by 2020 so they can move on to better and more advanced technologies. So before the New Year arrives, make sure that you have changed Flash animations into something like HTML5 or new videos.

Plan your content

The New Year is a good start for a new content plan. Assess where you went short with this year’s content strategy and what you can do to improve it. Also, it will help to come with an editorial calendar so you’ll have a schedule to follow when 2020 starts.

Start using videos

Video content is becoming a big thing on the web. More and more internet users prefer content that they can easily digest. And with personalized videos being highly visual and creative, adding more of this content on your site will surely give you an edge next year.

Address customer problems 

Enough about you! Aside from fixing your website problems, you should also address the issues of your customers. How can you offer them better service? How can you make it up to those who are not happy with your service or product? You can use your website as the vehicle for the solutions for these concerns.

November is the month of major algorithm updates for Google, with neural matching as the latest addition to the list.  In the first week of December, the search engine giant confirmed this new November 2019 update, which will affect local rankings. This is the same reason why local businesses have witnessed a change in ranking in the past month.

What is neural matching?

Neural matching is an algorithm that allows Google to interpret the search query with local intent. This works even if the query doesn’t have a specific business name or location. Although it was mainly observed in November, neural matching has been in the works since 2018.

This is somewhat similar to the earlier BERT update. It improves query mapping, though the functions are different between neural matching and BERT. Google calls neural matching as the “super synonym system” due to its ability to interpret queries on deeper levels.

Unlike in 2018, when neural matching was only injected in some searches, Google has clarified that the November 2019 update is already a worldwide roll-out. It now works in all countries where Google is available.

What should businesses do?

According to Google, nothing has to be done for this update. Although businesses may notice a decline in traffic and ranking, neural matching just shows a more accurate result in the SERPs. In short, the traffic you’ll lose is non-converting traffic or those who clicked due to ambiguity.

Neural matching is an update that aims to make search results more accurate for internet users. And as for business owners, it gives them a more accurate view of how their businesses perform in terms of search.

The search engine advises business owners to continue following the local ranking guide they have published long ago.

No need to panic

Many small businesses tend to panic whenever a major algorithm update goes in the news. This is quite normal, considering that revenue is at stake. Nevertheless, Google assured its users that the neural matching update shouldn’t be a cause of panic.

Why businesses have to be aware

If you’re wondering for a month why your data yielded a sudden change in traffic and rankings, then this November update is the answer. Google emphasizes that neural matching is in place to improve local searches. Also, like BERT, they aim to give businesses the traffic they deserve based on relevance, proximity, and prominence, among other factors.

The only difference now is that Google has come up with an expanded method of defining relevance. And as a business owner, it’s your job to keep up. But for the November 2019 update, you can sit back and relax. Just continue optimizing for local search using Google guidelines and you’re good to go.

Conclusion

Keeping abreast of Google algorithm updates is a full-time job. With the latest November 2019 update, website owners are scuffling to regain their rankings. This is normal, so to speak. Still, you should save your energy for more updates that are to arrive. Besides, Google itself said that this update isn’t another workload for website owners.

In a tweet, Google announced that they have rolled out BERT internationally. This is after the U.S. launch back in October. This milestone update is set to affect the traffic and rankings of websites all over the world.

According to the largest search engine on the planet, BERT will be available in all countries where Google is used. Also, it will work in 72 languages and in 10% of all searches.

What is BERT and how does it work?

BERT is an algorithm that will change the way Google interprets search queries. Instead of interpreting queries by the individual meaning of words, BERT will factor in the relation of each word to each other. That way, searchers will receive better results that match what they’re looking for.

Upon its first launch months ago, Google said that BERT will work only for 10% of all searches. This is expected to remain the same until Google announces a different scale.

Also, BERT is expected to improve its interpretation of search queries by sharing knowledge across languages. So with this international roll-out, the BERT algorithm is set to make the search engine a more accurate and reliable platform.

BERT: Boon or bane?

Google will not release an update if it will be detrimental to its users. First of all, BERT doesn’t penalize websites. It only changes how the search engine interprets a query. If your website received a penalty, it’s due to another algorithm or violation.

The good thing about BERT is it removes the low-quality traffic from your website. This way, you’ll see the traffic that really converts. Over time, BERT will also bring in high-quality traffic to your website.

Effect of BERT on international searches

Just like how it worked in the United States, BERT will shift traffic to the web pages that are more relevant to the user’s query. At first, this means you’re going to lose traffic. Still, it’s for the better as the traffic you’ll lose is not beneficial to your website.

Also, BERT will impact how rich snippets are displayed. Some websites will lose their featured snippets while others will gain it. Again, it all boils down to relevance.

As much as your website is already relevant to the query, BERT has expanded how Google perceives webpages’ prominence. That’s the reason why rankings will change and traffic will shift.

What you need to do about BERT

There’s nothing you have to do about this update. If you want to rank better after seeing the effects of BERT, continue making high-quality content. Also, perform efficient SEO strategies to ensure that you have the best visibility to your target audience.

Other than that, you shouldn’t fret about this update. It will not cause any trouble on your site unless you already have poor rankings.

Final words 

The BERT update has been one of Google’s biggest releases in the past five years. It changed the way the search engine interprets queries and it will surely show its benefits in the long run. For now, there’s nothing you need to do but to optimize as usual.