Google Search Result logic change-max 2 results per domain!
Google has recently changed the way it lists search results. Earlier, if one website had multiple pages related to the keyword, most of those pages would show up in search result. Now, Google is limiting results to just one or two results per domain.
Example:
I have written close to a dozen blog posts on Phuket, Thailand- such as below ones
1. Visiting James Bond Island on my own,
2. 3 day Phuket biking itinerary,
3. Sarasin Bridge,
4. Phi Phi Island, Phuket + Krabi optimal itinerary,
5. The Off Road-Phuket,
6. Big Buddha Statue,
7. Sra Nang Manora waterfalls,
8. Royal Brothers Phuket Bike Rental Experience
9. Attractions in Phang Nga National Park
10. Pros and Cons of visiting Thailand in Monsoon season
Now, let us assume someone is keen to identify all the posts I have written on Phuket, so that they can read them and plan their trip. In order to view all the posts from my blog, they would prefix the search with enidhi and search for say "enidhi phuket"
Earlier, this query would list several blog posts from enidhi.net that had good density of keyword Phuket. Most of the above 10 posts would appear in the result and audience can read whatever interests them.
Now the logic is changed.
Google will now show only 1 or 2 result per domain. Rest of the results will be shown from elsewhere, even if they may not be most relevant. [Source]
Look at the screenshot below- even though search is specific for enidhi, only 2 results from my blog. Rest are from elsewhere.
Note- if you search using full domain name like enidhi.net Phuket then more results from one domain will show up.
Why Google search made this change?
1. To give more variety of results
Probably readers were annoyed with half a dozen results from same domain dominating first page.
2. To suppress over SEO and give fair chance to others?
Some websites have done excessive SEO or are too popular and dominate the first page, suppressing visibility to other sites. Thus Google decided to limit results per domain, with an idea that once you click on a result, you should be able to navigate to other pages of same domain, if required/relevant.
These are probably fair reasons. The rationale might be justified but probably Google should make exception to this rule if domain name or title is part of the search ketword. Like if I want to read what all BBC has written about world cup and search for "BBC ICC World Cup", naturally I won't be keen to read what CNN or NDTV has written about world cup. There is no reason to suppress BBC results in this case. I won't know exact article titles of BBC to do a more specific search. But if I am doing a generic search like "ICC World Cup", then yes, no point showing all 10 results from BBC however strong their SEO or relevance may be- showing stories from all major sports publication makes sense.
What this means for content creators and bloggers?
Having a dozen different landing pages for a keyword won't help. It will reduce traffic to your site. When I go on a trip, I don't write one long blogpost with everything from that trip- I split into smaller topics and write multiple blog posts. With this new logic, most of my posts will never see light on Google search, unless users are more specific with keywords.
What is the way out?
Google wants us to focus on one page per keyword instead of having dozen different pages, try to get readers to this page and then have ways to guide them to specific pages. In this example, may be I should now write one blog post titled "Phuket travel detailed guide", try to get readers to this page and then guide them to more specific posts- that is assuming people have patience to read through the post and navigate further to specific posts.
Using a label/category may not help, as Google doesn't seem to be listing category/label URL in search results. It wants a blog post only.
The other option is to write one long post covering everything about a destination/keyword. This will work for some who can write detailed posts, but it also means too much reading time for the reader, not being able to locate specific content he/she is looking for among the large article.
What do you think of this new google update as a blogger? Did you notice any increase/drop in traffic recently?
Similar: Google blogger CMS multiple issues * Things you can do in Google HQ, California * SEO Tips for regional language bloggers * Reasons why I may not be commenting on your blog * Trends every blogger should worry about *
I have written close to a dozen blog posts on Phuket, Thailand- such as below ones
1. Visiting James Bond Island on my own,
2. 3 day Phuket biking itinerary,
3. Sarasin Bridge,
4. Phi Phi Island, Phuket + Krabi optimal itinerary,
5. The Off Road-Phuket,
6. Big Buddha Statue,
7. Sra Nang Manora waterfalls,
8. Royal Brothers Phuket Bike Rental Experience
9. Attractions in Phang Nga National Park
10. Pros and Cons of visiting Thailand in Monsoon season
Now, let us assume someone is keen to identify all the posts I have written on Phuket, so that they can read them and plan their trip. In order to view all the posts from my blog, they would prefix the search with enidhi and search for say "enidhi phuket"
Earlier, this query would list several blog posts from enidhi.net that had good density of keyword Phuket. Most of the above 10 posts would appear in the result and audience can read whatever interests them.
Now the logic is changed.
Google will now show only 1 or 2 result per domain. Rest of the results will be shown from elsewhere, even if they may not be most relevant. [Source]
Look at the screenshot below- even though search is specific for enidhi, only 2 results from my blog. Rest are from elsewhere.
Why Google search made this change?
1. To give more variety of results
Probably readers were annoyed with half a dozen results from same domain dominating first page.
2. To suppress over SEO and give fair chance to others?
Some websites have done excessive SEO or are too popular and dominate the first page, suppressing visibility to other sites. Thus Google decided to limit results per domain, with an idea that once you click on a result, you should be able to navigate to other pages of same domain, if required/relevant.
These are probably fair reasons. The rationale might be justified but probably Google should make exception to this rule if domain name or title is part of the search ketword. Like if I want to read what all BBC has written about world cup and search for "BBC ICC World Cup", naturally I won't be keen to read what CNN or NDTV has written about world cup. There is no reason to suppress BBC results in this case. I won't know exact article titles of BBC to do a more specific search. But if I am doing a generic search like "ICC World Cup", then yes, no point showing all 10 results from BBC however strong their SEO or relevance may be- showing stories from all major sports publication makes sense.
What this means for content creators and bloggers?
Having a dozen different landing pages for a keyword won't help. It will reduce traffic to your site. When I go on a trip, I don't write one long blogpost with everything from that trip- I split into smaller topics and write multiple blog posts. With this new logic, most of my posts will never see light on Google search, unless users are more specific with keywords.
What is the way out?
Google wants us to focus on one page per keyword instead of having dozen different pages, try to get readers to this page and then have ways to guide them to specific pages. In this example, may be I should now write one blog post titled "Phuket travel detailed guide", try to get readers to this page and then guide them to more specific posts- that is assuming people have patience to read through the post and navigate further to specific posts.
Using a label/category may not help, as Google doesn't seem to be listing category/label URL in search results. It wants a blog post only.
The other option is to write one long post covering everything about a destination/keyword. This will work for some who can write detailed posts, but it also means too much reading time for the reader, not being able to locate specific content he/she is looking for among the large article.
What do you think of this new google update as a blogger? Did you notice any increase/drop in traffic recently?
Similar: Google blogger CMS multiple issues * Things you can do in Google HQ, California * SEO Tips for regional language bloggers * Reasons why I may not be commenting on your blog * Trends every blogger should worry about *
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