Are you tired of feeling like you're playing a never-ending game of marketing "guess and check?"
Unfortunately, there's a bit more that we have left to decode. Google's SGE (Search Generative Experience) is the latest game-changing update to the Google platform, promising to simplify the search process and make it easier for customers and brands to reach each other.
But, as with any significant change, there are bound to be some bumps in the road. That's why we're breaking down everything you need to know about SGE, from what it is to how it will impact your marketing strategy.
So, sit back, relax, and get ready to become a pro at decoding the latest marketing tech.
What is Google SGE?
Google SGE stands for Search Generative Experience, and it is an innovative technology developed by Google to help people learn more efficiently while they search online.
How does it work?
Google SGE analyzes and summarizes the content that you search for, providing you with the most relevant information on a particular topic.
Not only does Google SGE help you understand key concepts quickly and painlessly, but it also dynamically generates learning experiences based on your search queries, providing you with interactive and engaging content that satisfies your learning goals.
For example, let's say you're searching for information about climate change. Instead of just listing a bunch of articles and websites, SGE might show you a visual graph that breaks down the different factors that contribute to climate change, such as greenhouse gases and deforestation.
From there, you can click on each subtopic to learn more and dive deeper into the subject. Not only does this approach make learning more accessible and engaging, but it can also help to improve search accuracy.
Theories on SGE’s Potential Traffic Impact
As with anything new, there are positives and negatives to consider. On the positive side, SGE could provide a much more efficient and user-friendly way of delivering search results. It could also potentially increase visibility for certain websites and businesses that may not have gotten much organic traffic before.
However, on the negative side, SGE could push down regular organic search results, potentially causing a significant decrease in traffic for those websites.
And speaking of traffic decreases, there are some assumptions being made that organic traffic could be decreased by up to 30%, depending on the niche and types of keywords being searched for. There's no magic number that can be generalized, so it's definitely something that each website owner would need to consider on a case-by-case basis - only time will tell here.
One interesting factor in all of this is the role of AI and user interaction in determining the impact of SGE on organic search results.
Essentially, the more users there are that interact with the SGE feature, the more it will learn about and adjust to their preferences. This could mean that certain websites are given more visibility over time, while others are pushed down even further.
Overall, there are definitely potential positive and negative consequences to consider when it comes to SGE. At the moment, regular organic results will be pushed down like any other SERP feature, but only time will tell how Google decides to develop and refine this new feature.
And let's face it, with Google being the behemoth that it is, they've got less pressure to release SGE to the general public than a lot of startups do to release their MVPs (especially when you consider the decline in the use of ChatGPT, particularly) - so we should have some time.
What We Know About SGE So Far
So, here's what we know so far about SGE - Google's auto-generated overview feature that shows up at the top of some search queries.
One thing you might have noticed is that these overviews can be pretty long on desktop, taking up the entire screen (and then some). On mobile devices, you might have to do a little bit of scrolling to see the entire overview.
But it's not just the size of the overviews that's notable - it's also the fact that they're rarely 100% the same. That means if you search for the same query multiple times, you might get different overviews each time. That's because of the way that SGE works, using machine learning algorithms to understand what people are looking for and then generating an overview based on that information.
Of course, it's not just the overviews that take up screen real estate - ads do too. If you're searching for something competitive, you might notice that there are a lot of ads at the top of the search results. But even if your search query isn't particularly competitive, you might see some ads mixed in with the regular results. That said, there do tend to be fewer ads overall in SGE than in regular search
All of these factors - the size of the overviews, the dynamics of SGE, and the varying prevalence of ads - can make it a little tricky to navigate Google search results sometimes, and can make things even more tricky for marketers who are trying to figure out what to do in this new landscape.
Things to Avoid for Successful SEO After SGE Launches
We all know that SEO is key for any online business to thrive. With the launch of SGE (Search Giant Engine), it's important to be aware of what to avoid in order to achieve successful SEO.
First and foremost, don't rely solely on optimization for featured snippets. While these snippets can be a great way to get your website noticed, it's important to remember that they are only one small part of SEO. Focusing too much on getting a featured snippet can actually hurt your overall optimization efforts.
Another thing to avoid is pushing down content to fit above the fold. While it may be tempting to cram as much content as possible into the top of your page, this can actually negatively affect your rankings. Search engines are looking for high-quality content, not just a bunch of text crammed into a small space.
Similarly, don't depend solely on keyword optimization without focusing on creating high-quality content. Keywords are important, but they shouldn't be the only thing you focus on. Creating high-quality content that engages your audience is key to successful SEO.
It's also important to avoid ignoring user intent and user experience in content creation. If your content doesn't meet the needs of your audience, they won't stick around to read it. Make sure you understand what your audience is looking for and create content that meets those needs.
Finally, avoid thin content that can't compete with SGE overviews. If your content doesn't provide more value than what's already out there, it's unlikely to rank well in search results. Make sure your content is in-depth, provides value to your audience, and is well-researched.
Ways to Prepare for SGE
Creating content that focuses on user intent and user experience is key. That means thinking about what your audience is looking for when they come to your site and making sure your content is providing them with the answers they need.
This also means creating high-quality, original content that stands out from the rest. Google is always looking for the best of the best, so make sure your content is top-notch.
Improving site speed and mobile responsiveness is another important factor. People are on the go and want answers fast, so you need to make sure your site loads quickly and is easy to navigate on any device.
Internal linking and site architecture should also be a top priority. Make sure your site is easy to navigate, and the important pages are easy to find. You want to make sure the user experience is seamless and doesn't cause frustration for your visitors.
Incorporating schema markup and structured data is another way to improve your site's visibility. This helps Google understand the content on your site and can lead to more featured snippets and knowledge graphs.
Speaking of which, optimizing for featured snippets and knowledge graphs is something to keep in mind. These are the first results that show up and can significantly increase your visibility in search results.
Of course, prioritizing user experience should always be at the forefront of your efforts. If your site is easy to use and navigate, people are more likely to stick around and come back in the future.
Finally, it's important to monitor the impact of SGE on your site and adapt accordingly. Keep an eye on your traffic and rankings and adjust your strategy as needed.
The Takeaway
Proper preparation for SGE is crucial because it's going to change the way search algorithms work. Businesses will need to optimize their website content and structure accordingly to ensure that their pages rank highly in search results.
The good news is that SGE can represent an opportunity for businesses to differentiate themselves in the market by putting quality content first. By prioritizing user experience and content quality, businesses can create content that matches the user's search intent resulting in higher traffic and better rankings.
However, try not to obsess over it. Avoid the temptation to create shallow, uninspiring content that ultimately will get lost in the SGE sea. Instead, continue to do what's always worked well - focusing on delivering value through genuine, well-researched, and informative content that real people want to read.
Only then can you hope to compete with the top-ranking pages.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the changes and don't know where to start, don't worry! Kinetic319 is here to help guide you through the changes and provide you with the support, strategies, and tools you need to come out on top - both the top of your game, and the top of the rankings. You've got this!
Authored by: Adam Ortman, Kinetic319 | Founder & President