In the world of websites and Google searches, we often hear about the importance of links. You know, those clickable words or pictures that take you from one website to another. But lately, something’s been changing. Google, the big search engine we all rely on, is saying that links aren’t as important as they used to be for making your website popular. Let’s dive into why this matters and what you should focus on instead.
Gary Illyes, a guy who knows a lot about how Google works, recently talked about this. He basically said, “Hey, Google doesn’t need tons of links anymore.” This is a big deal because for years, getting lots of links to your website was like winning a popularity contest. The more links, the better chance your site had of being on top of Google’s search results.
But now, Google is using smarter technology. It’s like Google is going to school and learning a lot about websites. This means it doesn’t just look at how many links a website has. Instead, it’s looking at the whole picture.
So, what does this mean for you? It means you shouldn’t spend all your time chasing links. Instead, focus on making your website awesome in other ways. Here’s what you should do:
1. Content is King:
Make sure your website has really good stuff on it. This means writing articles, making videos, or sharing pictures that people want to see. When your content is great, people will naturally want to link to it.
2. Be Helpful:
Think about what people are searching for and make sure your website helps them find it. If you have a website about gardening, for example, share tips on how to grow plants or fix common gardening problems.
3. User-Friendly Design:
Make your website easy to use. If people can’t figure out how to navigate your site, they’ll leave quickly. Google likes websites that people stick around on.
4. Keywords Matter:
Use words on your website that people are likely to search for. If you’re selling homemade candles, make sure your website mentions things like “handmade candles” or “unique candle scents”.
5. Mobile Friendly:
Many people use their phones to search the web. So, make sure your website looks good and works well on mobile devices.
6. Speedy Site:
Nobody likes waiting for a website to load. If yours takes forever, people will leave. Google prefers websites that load fast.
7. Be Social:
Share your website and its content on social media. When people like what you share, they might link to it on their own websites.
Remember, getting links is still good, but it’s not the only thing that matters anymore. Google is getting smarter, and it’s looking at the bigger picture of your website. So, focus on making your site the best it can be, and Google will notice.
Don’t let outdated or harmful links drag down your SEO efforts. Take control of your website’s performance with a professional link audit. Contact me now.