3 Reasons Why Google Hates You

After writing Having a Website is Half the Battle, it got me thinking about Search Engine Optimization (SEO). I am constantly receiving questions from clients about how their friend suggested they do "such-and-such" to their site and they will skyrocket to the top of Google. SEO just isn't that simple.

What is SEO anyway? Looking back, my experience with SEO brings to mind the seedy underbelly of the internet world. I picture those guys, back in 1999 that had their little website and stacked their site keywords with pornography terms, because people searched for porn more often than they search for his business. Times have changed, but the tactics haven't. (Also, I can tell you that meta keywords went out the window many years ago.) So, what about today?

The factors that Google (or any other search engine: Bing, Yahoo, etc....) use to determine your placement in search results are cryptic and abundant. They are not going to tell you how they rank you, because if they did, it would be exploited and we would all end up with porn in our search results. So with out more delay, here are three reason's why Google doesn't like your website.

1. Generic, Bloated and Bland Page Titles

A page title tells Google and your users what the page is all about. Use words that are applicable to the topic (and actually found in your content). This can help users recognize if the page is likely to be relevant to their search. Each of your pages should ideally have a unique title, which helps Google know how the page is distinct from the others on your site. Titles can be both short and informative. If the title is too long, Google will show only a portion of it in the search result. Also, make it sound exciting. If I had called this blog , "Better SEO", would you have still read it? Maybe. Create unique, accurate and appealing page titles.

2. Non-Existent or Lazy Meta Descriptions

You have only 155 characters to reel them in. (See the video below that gives you some insight into what this means.) Accurately summarize the page's content and create intriguing topics, so your users will click on you in a Google Search Result. Also, use unique descriptions for each page. Control your content and create prolific Meta Descriptions

What are Page Titles and Meta Description?

If your looking for more, check out this video put out by Google. It discusses the anatomy of a Google Search result.

3. Useless Navigation

I love the philosophy that users can get to every page from every page. Users do not want to have to backtrack 16 steps to get to where they were or want to go. Use your navigation wisely, like drop-downs, secondary links and even footer links. helping visitors, including Google, quickly find the content they want.

There are hundreds of things that you can do to help build your search placement organically. These are only three, but important to getting Google to be your BFF.