Search Engine Optimization: 2018 Developments in the Field

If you've been out of the SEO field for a year, you've missed several important changes, including:

Optimizing for Voice Search

Voice-based search queries are on the rise with people using digital assistants more often than in the past. People can also use voice search on Google, although the search engine does not say how many searches are voice-based. Voice-recognition systems are significantly more accurate than in the past; more people are finding it easier to use voice search apps on their smartphone. Using long-tail keywords to create concise, short answers is the key to optimizing for voice search, just as you would if you were creating a snippet.

Mobile-First Indexing

Google now indexes your website's mobile version first. If you have a responsive site, nothing will change for you. If for some unknown reason, you do not have a mobile-friendly version of your website, Google will still index your website, however, expect your ranking to drop slightly. Google looks at more than keywords and backlinks, the search engine wants to return websites that offer a good user experience, which includes making your website available to mobile users.

Load Speed

Both Google and mobile users dislike websites that load slowly. Google Developer's website offers a page speed analysis and tips to make your site load faster, so there is no excuse for your website to take more than two seconds to load. A slow loading site does not do as well as faster loading site with the same content.

HTTPS

Switching your website from HTTP to HTTPS shows Google and other search engines that you are serious about protecting connections on your website. Migrating to HTTPS after buying an SSL certificate is not as difficult as it sounds.

Content

Great content that answers visitor's questions will never go out of style, no matter how long you are away from SEO. For more information click here https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/8bg1dv/beenawayfromseofor1yearwhatdidimiss/.