Rank Ranger Blog

Cosmic balance. It exists in reality (perhaps) and it exists on the SERP (evidently). Just as Google announced a new verification badge that could set businesses back 50 bucks the search engine forwent its commission on sales made via Buy on Google! How's that for bringing balance to the SERP?

Plus, has COVID-19 become the norm on the SERP? With less COVID related updates to features and more consistent COVID rankings, that seems to be the case (for better or worse).

Of course, there were like a gazillion other tests, changes, and updates to the SERP.

So let's have at it... Here's the SERP News for August 20

The great John Mueller joins the podcast to share his thoughts on interacting with the SEO industry:

• How talking to search marketers of all levels impacts the SEO dialogue
• Handling the problems of SEOs and the complications that come with it
• On dealing with SEO controversy

Plus, we take a look at Google’s ability to update entities in a flash!

SEO is a long term game. No question about that. Although there generally are no shortcuts, Google has given us a unique opportunity.

Featured Snippets.

Not a magic bullet, Featured Snippets tend to attract more attention than regular organic rankings. This means they have potentially higher click through rates than even the top-ranking URLs.

This two-part guide is a thorough how-to manual to winning Featured Snippets. In part one of this guide, you'll learn why Google creates Featured Snippets in the first place and how to find Featured Snippet opportunities.

Mark Bealin joins the podcast to discuss how to differentiate your local SEO:

• How to think strategically about local SEO
• Why strategic local SEO beats out a more tactical approach
• How links and reviews fit into the strategic mindset

Plus, we take a look at why the COVID-19 SERP seems to have stabilized!

From its algorithm updates to its overall approach to the SERP, Google has been latently encouraging us to take on new content constructs and patterns. In fact, Google has been covertly pushing for the creation of more refined and targeted content. However, that nudge towards more targeted content leaves content creators and SEOs in a bit of a tough spot as Google has yet to adopt an ecosystem that truly supports the kind of content they're pushing for.

Here's a look at the content environment Google has been creating on the SERP, the problems with it, and what the search engine might do going forward

Lily Ray is here and she’s spinning out depth into Google’s core updates!

We get into:

• The relationship between the core updates and E-A-T
• Are the core update effective?
• How should you approach Googles massive updates?

Plus, we talk about the mindset needed to create truly authoritative content!

When creating content with the goal of attracting traffic from Google, keyword research is a must.

Good keyword research will not only inform you what users are typing into Google, but it will also inform you what questions users want answered. Including answers to these questions in your content is the first step in creating high-performing content.

Find out, what numbers matter when performing research, and where you should trust your gut when it comes to creating content.

The great Dr. Pete joins the podcast to share his experiences and thoughts on analyzing Google's updates and SERP feature trends:

• Why analyzing Google's algorithm updates are even more complex than many think
• Why SERP feature trends play an important role in SEO
• How to understand Google by looking at what's changing on the SERP and in the algorithm

Plus, we look at how effective Search as Journey really is and how it can improve dramatically!

What is brand identity? Where does it come from? How do you build it? 

There's a lot that has been said about building brand identity. Unfortunately, a lot of it is just plain wrong. 

Here's my personal take on where real brand identity comes from and how the average company can build it in a lasting way. 

Steven Long joins the podcast to offer his insights on which SEO metrics make your clients feel secure (and to share some content wisdom as well):

• What metrics should you be sending your clients?
• How to smooth things over with new clients who have been burned by fake metrics
• What works when creating content for a very niche local business?

Plus, Google's free product listings are putting the search engine between a rock and a hard place... here's why!

This was one of my favorite months on the Google SERP. Not because the changes Google made "broke the way of the SEO industry." Rather, it's because the changes Google made may seem slight or even negligible. But that would underestimate the search engine. Sometimes, the most innocuous changes to the Google SERP harbor the biggest impact. Such was the case on the June SERP.

Get ready, get set, here comes the July 2020 edition of the SERP News!

Ashley Segura the mad hatter of Top Hat Rank joins the podcast to offer a fresh look at FAQs for SEO!

• Why a good FAQ is super helpful for your SEO One massive FAQ? Multiple categorized FAQs?
• How to craft your FAQs!
• From markup to media, how to enhance, track, and judge the effectiveness of your FAQs!

Plus, we look at CTR on the SERP when ranking above the fold vs below the fold!