Understanding the Hummingbird Algorithm for Semantic Searching
Many SEO strategies in popular use before the arrival of Hummingbird have remained useful and relevant. Social media marketing techniques, use of content related backlinks from authoritative and top quality industry-specific websites with superior content and 198 other ranking criteria are included in the Hummingbird algorithm.
When Google introduced the Hummingbird algorithm update in September of 2013, it had a strong effect on as much a 90 percent of all global Internet searches. Hummingbird was designed to reveal the new speed and precision Google would use in returning search results. These results would be focused on semantic search and intent of conversation rather than on devised keywords. This advanced Google algorithm actually incorporates all prior Google algorithm updates such as Panda, Penguin and PageRank.
How the Hummingbird Algorithm Operates for Performing Semantic Search
With the Hummingbird update, the focus and emphasis in Web searches is now on such factors and dynamics as the following:
• Semantic Search Technology. – Focused on semantic search technology, Hummingbird is designed to comprehend the intent of each search. The emphasis is on grasping the meaning of a search rather than on placing major focus on keywords included in the search language. Google now employs template queries (form based) to return query answers in real time. This interactive feature is frequently favored by many online searchers today. Hummingbird is structured to understand each question as a whole, returning answers with precision and accuracy instead of returning web pages containing SEO-appropriate keywords used in the searcher’s query.
• Enhanced Mobile and Voice Search. – Since a large number of Internet searches are made on mobile digital devices today, Hummingbird is designed to handle mobile and voice searches quickly and efficiently. This updated algorithm processes both conversational and complex, technical questions equally well. Many website owners now experience ongoing increases in mobile web traffic when their sites have good quality mobile search capability.
• SEO Emphasis Shift from Keywords to Answers. – Because Hummingbird introduced a paradigm change from keyword-initiated searches to semantic, conversational searches, today’s keyword selection must be based on a semantic approach and customised to suit your target audience. As well as seeking to gain understanding of a searcher’s intent, Hummingbird also strives to comprehend the query context, such as location, social networking on Google Plus and prior searches performed on this subject. This can be helpful since Google may already have available data on the current searcher and search criteria.
An important central element of Google’s semantic search is the Google Knowledge Graph. This graph collects data from varied sources to provide immediately as many questions and aspects relative to your search as possible, presenting them in real time on the right side of the results pages for your search. This innovative knowledge collection graph is focused on finding and highlighting any relevant people, places, organizations and other factors with a connection to your search. It provides you with data concerning these factors and how they are important or informative to your search and to your search language as related to search intent. In this way, Google is bringing web searches current in another manner with this emphasis on fast visual representation of collective search results, especially since the Internet is much more focused on visual transmission and presentation of information now than ever before.