076 - Why Does SEO Take So Long

Some people think that if they tweak and optimize their SEO campaign they will get almost instant results.  The truth is, so many factors need to be considered why it takes quite some time, even months before an SEO campaign to get positive results.  You cannot simply push out content and expect it to rank instantly on page one. To a very few, it can happen, but it just shows that they have a very high authority status already, and have undoubtedly been doing quite a few things right. So to make sure that you are doing things right, make sure to listen until the end to get some guidelines and steps to ensure that SEO doesn't take longer than it has to.    

Podcast Highlights: 

00:01 Prologue

00:42 SEO Intro 

00:52 Introduction of the topic

01:45 Beginning CTA

02:28 What happens when you push new content on your website? (...What do we need to consider when writing new content?) 

03:51 How does Google process newly discovered contents?

04:30 Why is it important that your content is correctly linked to the relevant context within your website?

05:19 Why does competition play a big part on why SEO takes longer to see results? 

06:07 What are the other external factors that can impact Google's algorithm as they pick up signals from all over the world?

07:48 The three ways in order to make sure that SEO does not take longer than it has to be. 

09:59 Ending  CTA 

10:43 End

Resources:

The ERICA SEO Framework:

Why Does SEO Take So Long?

There’s a popular misconception that SEO is a “quick fix” for businesses looking to improve their online visibility. It seems like a simple process: optimize your site for the right keywords. Then, just wait for the traffic to start pouring in, right? 

However, many people don’t realize that good SEO takes time and effort. There are a lot of variables in-game. In fact, it can take months - or even years to see any accurate results, and only a few people ever achieve this.

Let’s dive into how to keep things running smoothly with some quick tips for SEO success.

How long does SEO take to see results?

This is a common question. 

Everyone knows that it can be frustrating when looking for SEO results. It’s true, especially if your company is just getting started. Chances are, if you’re talking to some SEO people or consultants, they’re going to tell you an estimated time frame. It will take three to six months to maybe 12 or 24 months for them.

Of course, it will take time and effort to achieve consistent SEO results. Gert says it takes about 3 to 6 months to see initial traction. And then 8 months to get actual conversion results from SEO. It’s really frustrating for those who run Facebook ads and get almost instant results.

But if you’re patient and persistent, you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor. And that’s when you’ll really start to get some results back. Then you can tweak and optimize your campaign.

The Process of Creating Relevant Content

Here are the two sections Gert emphasized:

1. First off, what happens to new content once it has been pushed out?
2. And secondly, what to consider when optimizing content?

If you write new articles for your website today - there should be some way that Google can find them. You need an updated URL and fresh information on a good SEO strategy from organic searches.

At some point, it’s very unlikely that you push out content, and it’s going to rank immediately on page one. Google needs to start ranking you somewhere. If Google has your high authority status covered already, you’ll be ranked top and implement all factors.

Build up backlinks

So, do you want to know how Google ranks websites?

Well, in short, they process some signals and then use that information when ranking a site. The more backlinks your page has, the greater your chance of ranking higher. It’s real if it’s on-topic with what their users are searching for, so keep building those connections.

Implement internal linking

Internal linking is crucial because it allows Google to better understand your content’s context. This way, they can process information more efficiently and give you a higher ranking on search engines.

It’s also worth including external links in your content, as mentioned. Plus, remember that Google has multiple data centers across the entire world.

Data centers are not always in sync. This results in different search results across time zones. For instance, you’ve found that sometimes when searching on google, there will be one result in Australia. Then another may appear in Europe.

How does competition play a big part in longer SEO results?

Think of it this way, if you want your site to rank well, then having high-quality content and good optimization are two things that will help. However, the key ingredient for successful marketing is competition. This is because nothing prevents them from giving up their top spot without any sites competing with yours.

Moreover, everyone is consistently facing a changing competitive landscape. Google is constantly adapting to the changing landscape of SEO. So, Google and other search engines need to figure things out for these players. Besides that, compare results consistently.

So what you’ll need to do is keep an eye on your competitors. It’s important to know what your competitors are doing with their marketing efforts. This will give you an excellent idea of what’s working well for them and how to improve their strategies.

Some External Factors That Impact Google’s Algorithm

A search engine like Google uses a complex algorithm to rank websites. That’s why it’s impossible for them to always be in the top spot. Factors such as changes on the site or competitive landscape can affect where you appear on results pages.

Everything depends on how often things change online content-wise with other external factors. These include politics which has been seen recently to have a big impact, natural catastrophes, and even this pandemic. However, Google’s algorithm is changing, striving to keep up with user behavior.

For example, if you think about searching for “virus” before the COVID pandemic, then it’s only natural that people expect different search results. Now when they type in a term related to viruses, there will likely be some mention of this recent event somewhere within their webpage.

Google is always trying to pick up signals. This means that if there’s a change in the site, it could only be valid for so long before Google starts picking apart new information. Perhaps, create your own ranking criteria based on what they find valuable about your website.

It also explains why major redesigns often come with temporary drops in rankings. Definitely, giving them time to adjust their algorithms accordingly.

3 Essential Ways to Ensure You’re Not Taking SEO Longer

There’s no doubt that SEO is an essential part of any digital marketing strategy. However, it’s also vital to ensure that you’re not taking too long to implement your SEO plans.

Here are a few ways to help you get the most out of your SEO efforts:

1. Plan everything ahead of time

According to Gert, you should optimize for them as soon as possible to get your main keywords positioned. So, it’s best to optimize for certain keywords three or six months ahead of time.

Optimizing in late summer or early fall is not enough time if what you’re selling at the moment are Christmas baskets. Your customers should have their orders placed before October or winter comes around. Otherwise, you might have to wait for another season.

2. Build up multiple pieces of content for topical relevance

Everyone knows that having one single piece of content is not enough to rank on search engine results pages. Or worse, it may not be tagged as a trusted website.

So, the best way to ensure topical relevance is by having a variety of articles on your site. Google’s algorithms and the search engine will take time, but it deserves attention because this matters most when judging authority or trustworthiness.

3. Dedicate your time and effort to the right things

Last but not least, make sure you dedicate your efforts to the right things. Of course, this includes writing blog posts and making an effort towards SEO. So as long as it’s relevant and achievable, go ahead with these activities.

Gert has seen sites with blog posts written over years that can be thrown away now. Why? Because they have no SEO relevance.

If Google checks and sees that you have not given the right things to rank, your content will be junked. Otherwise, if you have those blogs produced during 9+ year periods of time but are still relevant, you’ll still be able to get traffic. That means people are looking for information about this topic or subject matter at some point.

Get Help from SEO Experts

There’s always room for improvement. And the best thing to do is focus on the right things, plus get the guidance you need.

At SEOLeverage™️, they give people advice about their marketing campaigns to succeed in this competitive industry. Plus, they offer weekly updates to line up projects based upon need-of-attention or low hanging fruit.

Remember, it’s always important not to waste time working with no potential for success. The key to success is not always simple, but understanding what will move the needle starts. Make sure you have a plan for optimization with data to succeed together.

Connect with Gert Mellak:

Email: [email protected]