Our website aims to gain traffic and profits, which can be achieved through promoting the website on social media platforms and by appearing on Google and Yahoo search engines.
Social media traffic requires us to regularly post content on social media platforms. If we stop posting, traffic to our website will gradually decrease.
In contrast, search engine traffic remains stable as long as our website’s keywords rank high in search engine results. Therefore, from a long-term perspective, optimizing for search engine traffic is crucial for every webmaster.
Today, this article will provide a detailed explanation：How to do google seo optimization for my site in 2024.
Contents
What is SEO
SEO optimization refers to the process of optimizing both on-site factors such as website structure adjustments, content development, and code optimization, as well as off-site factors such as external promotion and brand building, to meet the requirements for search engine indexing and ranking. The goal is to improve keyword rankings in search engines, attract targeted users to the website for free traffic, and generate direct sales or brand promotion.
In simpler terms, SEO aims to improve keyword rankings to gain free traffic and achieve sales and brand promotion.
How Google works
Google is essentially the digital library of our era, storing nearly all publicly shared web pages worldwide. When you search for something, it provides you with the most relevant results based on what it finds.
To execute this task, there’s a computer system we call an algorithm.
The Google search process involves three stages, although not every web page goes through all three:
- Crawling: Google uses automated programs called “crawlers” to discover various web pages on the internet and download their text, images, and videos.
- Indexing: Google analyzes the text, images, and video files on web pages and stores this information in a large database known as the Google index.
- Presenting search results: When users search on Google, it returns information relevant to their queries based on the indexed data.
Google’s working principles:
The specific rules are not publicly disclosed, but we gather information from Google’s official answers.
- Analyzes your keywords: Understands the meaning of search terms.
- Matches your search content: Strives to show web pages that contain matching searches.
- Ranks pages for relevance: Evaluates website credibility and authority based on factors like content freshness, frequency of your search keywords, and user experience quality. It also recommends websites that appear user-preferred. High-quality links from reputable sites relevant to the topic indicate higher content quality on the page.
- Returns optimal results: Assesses whether web pages can display across different browsers, are suitable for various devices, and load efficiently.
- Considers specific context: Takes into account location, previous search history, and specific search settings to tailor the most relevant search results for you.
Common Google SEO Terminology
These are common Google SEO terms that provide a quick understanding for SEO beginners:
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): The process of making your website easier for search engines to handle, improving search engine rankings; can also refer to a person who performs SEO work (SEOer).
White Hat SEO: SEO strategies and techniques approved by Google to improve keyword rankings, based on Google’s search guidelines.
Black Hat SEO: SEO strategies and tactics that violate search engine guidelines to cheat and artificially boost search engine rankings.
Gray Hat SEO: Falls between white hat and black hat, using SEO tactics that blur the line between permissible and impermissible practices.
Crawling: The process of finding new or updated web pages. Google discovers URLs through tracking links, reading sitemaps, or other methods, and adds them to its index after crawling the web.
Indexing: Google stores all known web pages in its index. Each indexed entry describes a web page’s content and location (URL). Indexing involves Google crawling and reading web pages to add them to the index.
Organic Search Results: Non-paid search results shown after a user enters a keyword and clicks the search button, unaffected by advertisers.
Googlebot: The general name for Google’s crawling tool. Googlebot continuously crawls web pages.
Sitemap: An XML file listing all significant content on your website.
Core Web Vitals: User experience metrics from the Chrome User Experience Report, reflecting actual usage data of users worldwide on your website, often includes metrics like page loading speed.
Title: The title of a web page, akin to a headline of an article.
Meta Description: A summary of a web page, complementing the title, providing an overview of the main content.
Meta Keywords: Keywords representing the core focus of a web page, like the central theme of an article.
Ranking Algorithm: Rules used by search engines to rank websites for relevant queries when users search. Determines which results are most relevant to a user’s query.
On-Page SEO: Optimizing visible content and source code on web pages to improve rankings.
Off-Page SEO: Efforts outside of the website to boost its search engine rankings.
Technical SEO: Making technical adjustments to help search engines find, crawl, understand, and index your pages, covering aspects of both on-page and off-page SEO.
Search Intent: The real purpose behind a user’s search query.
Search Volume: The average monthly searches for a target keyword in a specific country/region.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): A protocol used to establish authenticated and encrypted links between networked computers. Websites are recommended to install SSL certificates to enhance security; most of Google’s search results are from sites with SSL certificates.
Low-Quality Content: Content with little or no value to users.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address link.
Website Structure: The organization and logical connection of web pages within a website.
Spam Pages: Web pages created to manipulate search engine rankings.
New trends in 2024 Google SEO optimization
1.AI-generated content continues to expand its scale, and Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience) content participation in rankings.
Since the emergence of ChatGPT, challenging Google’s dominance comprehensively, Google has also introduced Bard as a countermeasure. Inevitably, Google’s search results will increasingly feature content generated by AI or fully AI-generated content disseminated across major platforms and the internet. Based on Google’s mission (“to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful”), Google prioritizes content that benefits users, regardless of whether it is AI-generated.
Google’s official stance addresses concerns: Google does not prohibit AI-generated content to prevent low-quality content.
Now, Google itself also has SGE (Search Generative Experience) content.
2.New Trends in Localized SEO
As the world evolves with increased information density and interaction, localized SEO targeting different countries and language versions is becoming crucial. In other words, having more specialized localization services for local users is increasingly important. Therefore, optimizing for localized language and local search keywords is key during optimization.
3.Changes in EEAT, Emphasizing Experience
Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines originally introduced EAT (Expertise, Authority, Trust), and now Experience (first-hand experience) has been added. Google advises that website content should follow standards of expertise, authority, and trustworthiness. However, in line with Google’s principle of usefulness, content that includes experiential knowledge can provide more direct assistance to users. First-hand experience is a critical differentiator from AI-generated content.
4.User Experience Continues as a Key SEO Factor
Google, being an internet technology company and information platform, cannot manually review the user experience of every website. Therefore, they use technical methods to evaluate core user loading metrics such as Core Web Vitals. This is well-known among SEO professionals.
This means that Google pays attention to the user experience of desktop websites as well, focusing on factors like site speed, responsiveness, and visual stability. While mobile was previously the main focus, desktop user experience is now also a priority. Google has integrated these tools into its Search Console, allowing website owners to optimize specific pages accordingly. It’s crucial to continually enhance focus on user experience.
5.Search Intent
Google’s primary goal is to help users solve problems efficiently by understanding and predicting search intent. This remains true in 2024. Detailed information on search intent can be quickly accessed here: [Search Intent]
6.User Signals
Sometimes, websites don’t necessarily need highly professional content, especially for utility-focused sites. Meeting user needs effectively and receiving positive user signals can directly impact rankings.
The 4 key elements of Google SEO optimization
1.Keywords
As mentioned earlier, keywords are the primary gateway to Google. Without entering keywords, one cannot access other pages on Google. Therefore, researching and selecting keywords is the first step to consider.
2.Technical SEO
When Google was first established, it aimed to crawl as much information as possible from the entire web, gathering comprehensive and authoritative search results that earned it the love of users worldwide, catapulting it to become the world’s top search engine.
Today, almost all international trade websites submit information to Google, fearing omission and hoping to garner sufficient traffic from Google.
With so many websites, those that meet Google’s requirements have the potential to rank high. Those that do not meet the criteria may not be indexed or ranked.
3.Content
Content is king, as many have heard. We won’t delve into this point further at this moment.
4.Backlinks
Backlinks remain important today but are also the riskiest aspect of all SEO work. Most of Google’s rule adjustments penalize practices like buying backlinks or using hidden links.
Search Intent (2024 Key Element of Google SEO)
1.What is Search Intent?
Search intent refers to the underlying need and reason behind searching for a keyword. In other words, it’s why we go to Google and what we actually want to find. When we enter a keyword, it’s simply the term we think best matches our intent. Different users may have the same purpose but use different keywords or terms depending on their location. Therefore, the same intent can lead to various different keywords.
2.The Importance of Search Intent
Google’s fundamental purpose is to help users solve problems and find the information they seek. However, since Google can’t read minds, it relies on keyword searches to attempt to meet users’ specific needs as closely as possible.
Google’s mission: to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Therefore, to align with this mission and effectively rank on Google in the long term, we must produce content that satisfies user needs. This alignment ensures that your website remains relevant and useful to users, in line with Google’s overarching goal.
3.Common Types of Search Intent
Informational Users seek specific information, such as today’s date, weather updates, Edison’s inventions, or the current German Chancellor.
Examples:
- learn SEO
- how to build backlinks
- what is a servo motor
Navigational Users directly enter a specific website URL into Google.
Examples:
- alibaba
- linkedin login
Research Users want detailed information about a product or service they are considering.
Examples:
- Best elevator company
- Top elevator manufacturer in China
- iPhone 14 review
- iPhone 14 vs Huawei Mate50
Transactional Users intend to purchase or find suppliers for specific products or services they already know.
Examples:
- Buy Huawei Mate50
- Shutterstock Free trial
- Apple coupon
In 2024, Google SEO engineers should thoroughly study search intent based on industry experience. Providing content that aligns with user search intent is crucial for achieving sustained success.
After learning Google’s official working principles, common terms, 2024 Google SEO trends, and the 4 key elements of Google optimization, how can beginners get started?
How To Do Google Seo Optimization In 2024
According to the following 7 points, you can get a basic understanding of specific practices in international trade SEO.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (1): Choosing a Suitable Domain Name
Selecting a good domain name is crucial at the outset of website development; its value is paramount and cannot be overlooked in the SEO process. When choosing a domain name, it should be concise so that search users can perceive its meaning easily. Many companies opt for short, meaningful names or use simple phonetic spellings. Additionally, .com extensions are preferred due to their higher user familiarity.
In fact, to quickly demonstrate the value of a new website, many people prefer to invest in older domain names. When purchasing an older domain, it’s important to consider its authority and whether it has been penalized by search engines previously. Alternatively, acquiring and utilizing higher-authority second-level domains can also be effective. Older domains are valued for the trust search engines place in them, both in the short and long term.
Choosing the right domain name is crucial for both the short and long term.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (2): Conducting Effective Keyword Research and Exploration
Keyword exploration is one of the most crucial aspects in website SEO planning. It requires careful consideration and optimal judgment. During keyword exploration, it’s essential to select high-value transactional keywords that target specific consumer groups. Simultaneously, understanding competitor analysis is necessary to assess strengths and weaknesses in keyword usage. Combining these insights with the needs of your own business helps make the best decisions.
A skilled SEO professional typically adheres to the 28 Law during keyword research and utilization. This law emphasizes the importance of long-tail keywords, which often have high conversion rates and therefore demand special attention and thoroughness.
For a deeper understanding of how to conduct keyword research, feel free to leave a message. We can consider creating a separate article on this topic in the future.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (3): Develop a Rational Website Framework
The layout and structure of a website directly impact both search engines and user experience. If the website structure is poorly organized, it not only affects search engine crawling and indexing but also directly impacts user browsing behavior and content management. This underscores the importance of website structure design. During the website structure design process, teamwork is crucial, with the role of a skilled SEO professional being indispensable.
An excellent SEO professional considers three main aspects during website structure development:
- Search Engine Experience: Focus on on-page SEO aspects such as Title, Description, Keywords (TDK), URL structure, and internal linking.
- Basic Website Functions: Ensure functionalities like creating a 404 page, handling error links/dead links, generating a Sitemap.xml, and setting up the Robots.txt file are properly implemented.
- User Experience: Incorporate data-driven research on user reading and clicking behavior to enhance overall user satisfaction.
Additionally, ease of content updates, system stability, and user-friendly operations should be prioritized to ensure a seamless website management experience. Balancing both user experience and search engine requirements is crucial, with user experience often taking precedence when conflicts arise.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (4): Enhance Website Experience Across Multiple Browsers and Devices
Enhancing Experience Across Multiple Browsers:
On PCs, websites are typically accessed via various browsers, each interpreting code slightly differently. Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct testing across multiple browsers to ensure consistent display quality.
For future adjustments, use Google Analytics to understand which browsers visitors most frequently use to access your website.
In summary: Edit high-quality and clear HTML to ensure compatibility with mainstream browsers and conduct checks across these browsers.
Enhancing Mobile Device Experience:
- Simplify user experience for customers.
- Provide responsive design for the website.
This way, whether customers are using desktops, tablets, or smartphones, they access the same URL and code. The webpage adjusts and responds according to screen size for optimal viewing experience.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (5): Improve Website Loading Speed
We’ve discussed aspects like user experience, website framework, and others, which are all crucial.
However, if your customers can’t see it because the loading speed is too slow, then all your preparation efforts will be in vain.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (6): Update High-Quality Content
High-quality content will always be a priority for search engines, both now and in the future. How can the importance of content be overlooked? Whether it’s a new or old website, strict control over content quality is essential. The quality of web pages directly impacts whether user needs can be met.
During the process of updating high-quality content, it’s crucial to adhere to relevance, timeliness, comprehensiveness, guidance, and non-intrusive advertising within the content. Only through high-quality content can product information be fully exposed to users, attract readers, stimulate their desire to purchase, and ultimately achieve conversion, steadily increasing conversion rates.
How to Do Google SEO Optimization (7): Building High-Quality Backlinks
High-quality backlinks are often emphasized. To understand what constitutes a high-quality backlink, one must also grasp what constitutes spammy backlinks and cheating strategies. Many impatient online operators, driven by quick gains, unscrupulously promise website rankings using spammy and cheating backlink tactics, without thoughtful consideration or analysis.
Without naming names or delving into specifics, high-quality backlinks, relatively speaking, require attention to relevance (platform and content), high-quality content, platform authority, diversification of backlink sources, concentration of backlink efforts, balance in backlink strategies, and accuracy of anchor texts, among other factors.
