SEO & Content Marketing Trends: 3/18

Google Core Algorithm Update: Florida 2

Google releases small updates to incrementally improve their search algorithm daily. The Company reported that it “changes its search algorithm around 500 to 600 times each year.” Most of these updates are neither confirmed nor announced.
In the last two years, we have seen nine major updates.
On March 13^th Google announced a broad core algorithm update via Google SearchLiason Twitter:
- “This week, we released a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. Our guidance about such updates remains as we’ve covered before. Please see these tweets for more about that: https://twitter.com/searchliaison/status/973241540486164480 …“
Experts are claiming that this is “one of the biggest updates in years.”
What is a broad core update? A broad core update is aimed at improving Google’s ability to understand search queries and webpages. Google claims that broad core updates are not targeting any particular niche and that the primary objective is to enhance user satisfaction.
Why does this matter? Some experts speculate this update pertains to the relevance of content and links to search queries. However, it is too early to fully understand what this core update is. We recommend waiting for more information and case studies to surface before reacting. Continue to read credible sites and if necessary, alter your SEO strategy accordingly.

RankRanger has been analyzing the increases in mobile images thumbnails throughout 2018 and into 2019.
Their study found that in July 2018 mobile thumbnails increased by nearly 200% from displaying on roughly 15% of page one SERPs to almost 45%.
After several notable spikes in March 2019, RankRanger’s study found that “mobile images thumbnails now appear on close to 75% of all page one SERPS.”
Why does this matter? Images attract internet users. If the search result below your page has an image and yours does not, the user may skip over your listing to the one with an image. It is vital to incorporate images into your SEO strategy. If you still aren’t convinced, Google’s spokesperson directly stated:
- “We’re always working on new ways to enhance Search with helpful visuals, and we encourage site owners to enrich their pages appropriately.”

Google announced that it will be integrating Google Images into the core Search Network.
Previously, the image section of Google only displayed shopping ads when advertisers opted into the Service Partner Network. Once this update rolls out in late March, shopping ads will automatically be eligible to appear in Google images results and there will be no manual opt-in.
This update will be applied retrospectively, and previous traffic will not be recategorized. If you were previously part of the Service Partner Network, you might experience a decrease in traffic coming from the Search Partner Network, coupled with an increase in traffic coming from the Search Network.
Why does this matter? This update creates less work for advertisers and from Google’s point of view may increase traffic:
- “Google even noted that “your ads will start showing on Google Images and as a result there may be a 3-10% increase in traffic at lower cost-per-click and comparable conversion rates.”

Content Marketing Google SEO Shopping Trends