{"id":436,"date":"2018-02-27T14:01:52","date_gmt":"2018-02-27T14:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.searchenginewatch.com\/2018\/02\/27\/15-actionable-seo-tips-to-improve-your-search-rankings\/"},"modified":"2020-02-18T01:44:48","modified_gmt":"2020-02-18T01:44:48","slug":"15-actionable-seo-tips-to-improve-your-search-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/searchenginewatch.com\/2018\/02\/27\/15-actionable-seo-tips-to-improve-your-search-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"15 actionable SEO tips to improve your search rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Google’s RankBrain is an algorithm that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence<\/a> to rank results based on feedback from searcher intent and user experience. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Diving deep to learn what makes RankBrain<\/a> tick, here are 15 actionable tips to improve your SEO<\/a> rankings.<\/p>\n

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Optimizing keyword research<\/a><\/h2>\n

Keywords<\/a> have long been the foundation to high-ranking<\/a> SEO<\/a> content.\u00a0 Most of your content, whether it be blogs or website copy, begin with hours of definitive keyword research<\/a> you could rank for, and outrank your competitors for.<\/p>\n

However, RankBrain<\/a> has in some ways changed those run-of-the-mill SEO<\/a> keyword research strategies you may have used in the past. It is all about searcher intent<\/a> when it comes to the future of ranking, so it\u2019s time to adjust your keyword research strategy.<\/p>\n

1. Rethink synonymous long-tail keywords<\/h3>\n

Long-tail keywords<\/a> were once effective, before Google used semantic analysis and understood the meaning of words. You were able to compile a list of long-tail keywords<\/a> from Google\u2019s \u201crelated searches\u201d at the bottom of a SERP and create a page for each keyword.<\/p>\n

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Unfortunately, synonymous long-tail keywords are not as effective in the RankBrain SEO<\/a> world. RankBrain’s algorithm is actually quite intelligent when it comes to differentiating very similar long-tail keywords. Instead of ranking for multiple keywords, it will deliver pretty much the same results to a user.<\/p>\n

For example, the long-tail keywords, \u201cbest automation tools for marketing\u201d and \u201cbest marketing automation tools\u201d will return the same results to satisfy searcher intent.<\/p>\n

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So what do you do instead of leveraging those long-tail keywords? Read on to find out how to do RankBrain-minded keyword research.<\/p>\n

2. Leverage medium-sized keywords<\/h3>\n

Since long-tail keywords are on their way out, you should begin optimizing for root keywords instead. Root keywords are\u00a0 the middle of the pack search terms with higher search volume than long-tail.\u00a0 They are more competitive and may require more links and quality content to rank.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say you are crafting an article with \u201clemon tea\u201d as your primary keyword. Your keyword research should look something like:<\/p>\n

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You\u2019ll notice that there are a number of medium sized keywords to choose from. Interestingly, the primary keyword \u201clemon tea\u201d only nets about 3,600 monthly searches.<\/p>\n

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However, medium sized keywords like, \u201cbenefits of lemon\u201d and \u201choney lemon\u201d drive around 8,000 to 9,000 monthly searches.<\/p>\n

Using medium sized keywords in the RankBrain SEO world will also automatically rank your content for a number of other related keywords. If you want to optimize your content for highest SERP position possible, use medium-tail keywords.<\/p>\n

3. Add more LSI keywords<\/a><\/h3>\n

Now before you toss out the idea of long-tail keywords altogether, it is important to understand that they still have some benefits. For instance, they help you identify the Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords RankBrain loves to rank content for.<\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t mean you should keep using those synonymous long-tail keywords, but you should leverage the LSI potential of them. These would be any words or phrases very strongly associated with your topic.<\/p>\n

Using the previous \u201clemon tea\u201d example, you can easily identify a number of excellent LSI keywords for that primary keyword. How? Good question!<\/p>\n

One way is to use Google\u2019s \u201crelated searches\u201d and note any words in bold blue.<\/p>\n

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You can also use Google\u2019s drop down to help you identify commonly searched for LSI keywords.<\/p>\n

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You can also use a handy little LSI keyword finder tool called LSI Graph<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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Simply type in your primary keyword and LSI Graph will return a number of LSI Keyword rich phrases for you to choose.<\/p>\n

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Between Google and LSI Graph you can compile a number of powerful SEO LSI keywords like:<\/p>\n