Google Hummingbird Update
What Is the Google Hummingbird Update?
The Hummingbird Update was put into place in August 2013 and announced one month later, in September 2013. It has been described by Google as the biggest change to the algorithm since 2001.It was also described by multiple Googlers as a total rewrite of the core algorithm.
It mainly focused on improving how google understands search queries. Before Hummingbird, Google relied more heavily on matching the words people typed with words appearing on webpages. Hummingbird helped Google understand the meaning and context behind a search, rather than looking at each keyword separately.
For example, if someone searches:
What is the best phone for taking photos under 20,000?
Google should understand that the person want to buy a smartphone, within a specific budget, with a good camera. It is not simply looking for pages containing the words phone, photos, and 20,000.
Why Was Google Hummingbird Update Introduced and Why Is the Hummingbird Update Important for SEO?
It was introduced because people have changed the way of searching. Now people are using longer, more conversational searches, particularly voice search and smartphones became more popular. Now google needs to understand complete questions instead of relying on short keywords combinations. Earlier people used to ask straight questions but now people are searching more specifically and writing the whole questing because the want the proper and well explained answers so now google also searches that way only.
It was an important turning point for google search. It helped Google move away from simply matching keywords and towards understanding the meaning, context and intent behind searches. One of the important ideas connected with Hummingbird is search intent. Search intent refers to the reason or purpose behind a user’s search. Understanding search intent allows Google to provide results that are more relevant to what the user needs. This also became an important consideration for website owners and SEO professionals. Instead of creating content only around specific keywords, websites need to understand what their target audience is looking for and provide information that answers those needs.
For example:
Traditional search: Best restaurants in Delhi
Conversational search: Which are the best restaurants to visit in Delhi with family and friends?
Both searches have a similar purpose, but the second one is more natural. Hummingbird helped Google better understand this type of search.
How Can a Website Use Hummingbird
It can’t be used or installed by a website. It is a part of Google’s search system. But, website can create some unique contents that work well with the way Google understands searches. First, understand that what is important for audience and what audience actually wants to know. Instead of repeating the keywords only, give answers to all the related questions. Stop forcing the same keyword into every sentence. Try to make the content easier for people to rea while clearly expanding the topic. Start creating the content that covers the main topic and closely related questions. The idea should be to provide a useful answer rather than creating a page simply to rank for one keyword. Start using related terms and stop writing for keywords only instead try to answer people’s question. Website owners and the content creators should clearly understand that- don’t just write content containing keywords. Create content that genuinely answers what people are searching for.