This article was written by James Hay, Social Media Coordinator at Fasthosts. If you would like to write for ShoutMeLoud, check our guest posting guidelines.
Many people are predicting that during 2011 we will see a shift in the way search engines operate. Social media has been growing at a phenomenal rate over the last 2 years and the demand for relevant, recent news is increasing. People are no longer satisfied with Google and other search engines providing them with outdated posts and websites when searching for news and advice.
Generation Y is a demographic that wants to know what the latest buzz is on social media and what people are talking about. When I search for SEO Tips I don’t want a post from 2006 that has now become redundant due to search engines altering their algorithm. I want posts that are very recent, that are new and that others are recommending on social networking websites.
Prediction #1 – Twitter will affect Google Rankings
Google recognise the importance that Twitter and Facebook have on society and how information is shared. Matt Cutts, Head of Google Webspam, has stated that Google have begun testing stages to determine if these social networking can provide stable, valid results. I believe we will start to see an element of rank strength being given to pages that have large numbers of Twitter ReTweets and Facebook Likes.
Prediction #2 – SEO for TV
Apple and Google are competing fiercely to become the biggest player in the newly established, internet-connected television market. Wherever the internet goes and internet searching, search engine optimisation will follow. I predict that as this fresh, new platform grows we will start to see new and exciting optimisation techniques and results.
Prediction #3 – Bing’s market share grows
Most reports I’ve seen suggest Bing’s market share is around 12% and Google’s being around 65%. I predict that Bings market share will rise faster than expected to around 20%-25% by the end of 2011. Google are tip-toeing into integrating new and possibly risky factors to their algorithm. Bing are strongly integrating social aspects to their results and also use CTR (Click Through Rate) as part of their algorithm. If a result in Bing is not getting clicked then it will move down the rankings, which makes sense. Going back to my previous statement of people wanting new content then Bing seem to be stepping in the right direction much quicker than Google and I think this year a wider audience will start to notice that.
So there are my 3 predictions for 2011, please add any of your own in a comment below.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Site usually take less time to rank high in bing as to compare to Google.
If you optimize well for Bing that is
Because SEO tactics differs between the two search engine.
then we have to work for bing also, i will submit my blog’s sitemap to bing now…
Hi James, I will completely agree with your predictions. Actually Twitter is already affecting the Google SERPs and bing search market share is growing at a good speed.
great tips…will surely look out for TV SEO
Site usually take less time to rank high in bing as to compare to Google.
Will try out your recommendation for our new website. Am sure it would be helpful.
I totally agree with your predictions.
#3 is really interesting, since Google is just implementing the conceptual ideas of Bing. The Bing has already captured 30% of Search engine market and 70% remains with google and other search engines.
#2 Although The SEO TV, is released it need a lot of work on it. I dont see how it will be helpful for Optimization?
#1 Twitter will affect Google; Since so much of spam is building on it, and they are unable to control it. Its really bleeding the web!
This bing thing looks scary for internet marketer. Still i don’t it will effect much to Google.
Twitter really affects Google serp ranking……but also gives good traffic
what about blogs who don’t have enough traffic to get as many as tweets and facebook likes as mashable or techcrunch gets in no time??
That’s a great SEO prediction for 2011. Well see about this, I’m more interested on Twitter and Facebook will affect Google Rankings by how many ReTweets and likes.
Great post on SEO prediction. Yeah yuou are right twitter , facebook will make a huge impact this year..
Interesting, especially about Bing. I didn’t even know their share was as high as 12%.
hi james,
i agree with those and my list can be found at http://www.searchmuse.com/blog/2011/2/13/seo-predictions-for-2011.html
To save you the hassle of reading them heree they are in a nut shell:
1/ Semantic web and/or social media triggers growth (social media in 2011; semantic web in 2012>)
2/Algorithym amendments further develop e.g. conversion rate, Contextual & personalised search, Social search personalisation, Clicks = higher rankings
3/ local business listings become even more important
4/Data leveraging + increased reciprocity = ‘better’ targeting
5/ Status Quo i.e. focus on what’s already important
6/ SEO spend will increase
7/ Penalties for grey hat seo e.g. automated content syndication on content farms