How to optimize for Google’s Hummingbird algorithm for technical SEO

Google’s Hummingbird algorithm update was released in 2013, and it marked a major shift in the way the search engine processes and interprets queries. The update aimed to better understand the intent behind a user’s search query and provide more relevant results. For technical SEO professionals, this means that it’s more important than ever to optimize for Hummingbird. In this blog post, we will discuss the key elements of Hummingbird optimization and how to implement them to improve your website’s visibility on Google.

1. Understand the intent behind user queries

One of the main goals of Hummingbird is to understand the intent behind user queries. This means that Google is now better able to understand the context of a search query and provide results that match the user’s intent. For example, if a user searches for “best pizza in New York,” Google will understand that the user is looking for a list of the best pizza places in New York City, rather than just a list of pizza places in the city.

To optimize for Hummingbird, you need to understand the intent behind user queries and create content that matches that intent. This means that you should focus on providing answers to user questions and creating informative and useful content.

2. Use natural language processing

Hummingbird also uses natural language processing (NLP) to understand user queries. NLP is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on understanding human language. It allows Google to understand the meaning behind a query, even if the words used in the query are not an exact match for the words used on a website.

To optimize for NLP, you should use natural language in your content and use synonyms and related words to match the user’s query. This will help Google understand the context of your content and make it more likely to appear in search results.

3. Optimize for long-tail keywords

Hummingbird also places a greater emphasis on long-tail keywords. Long-tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that are less commonly used than short-tail keywords. For example, “best pizza in New York” is a long-tail keyword, while “pizza” is a short-tail keyword.

Long-tail keywords are often more specific and targeted, making them more likely to match the intent behind a user’s query. To optimize for long-tail keywords, you should include them in your content and use them in your meta tags and title tags.

4. Optimize for conversational search

Hummingbird also focuses on conversational search, which allows users to ask questions in natural language. This means that Google is better able to understand the intent behind a query and provide more relevant results.

To optimize for conversational search, you should use natural language in your content and use question phrases in your meta tags and title tags. This will help Google understand the context of your content and make it more likely to appear in search results.

5. Use structured data

Structured data is a way to mark up your website’s content to make it more easily understood by search engines. It allows Google to understand the meaning behind your content and make it more likely to appear in search results.

To optimize for structured data, you should use schema.org markup on your website. Schema.org is a collaboration between Google, Bing, and Yahoo to create a common set of markup tags that can be used to mark up your content.

6. Optimize for mobile

Hummingbird also places a greater emphasis on mobile optimization. With more and more people using their smartphones and tablets to search the web, it’s important to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly.

To optimize for mobile

, you should ensure that your website is responsive, meaning that it automatically adjusts to fit the screen size of the device it’s being viewed on. You should also use a mobile-friendly design and ensure that all of your images and videos are optimized for mobile. Additionally, you should also ensure that your website loads quickly on mobile devices, as Google has stated that page speed is a ranking factor for mobile search.

7. Optimize for local search

Hummingbird also places a greater emphasis on local search. This means that Google is better able to understand the location of the user and provide results that are relevant to their location.

To optimize for local search, you should claim and verify your business on Google My Business and ensure that all of your business information, including address and phone number, is accurate and consistent across all platforms. You should also include your location in your meta tags and title tags, as well as in your content. Additionally, you should also acquire local backlinks to help your site rank better in local search results.

8. Monitor and track your progress

Finally, it’s important to monitor and track your progress to see if your Hummingbird optimization efforts are paying off. You can use tools like Google Analytics to track your website’s traffic and see if there have been any changes since you began optimizing for Hummingbird. Additionally, you should also monitor your website’s search engine rankings and see if they have improved.

Conclusion

Hummingbird algorithm update is a major shift in the way the search engine processes and interprets queries. To optimize for Hummingbird, you need to understand the intent behind user queries and create content that matches that intent. Additionally, you should use natural language processing, optimize for long-tail keywords, conversational search, structured data, mobile optimization, local search, and monitor and track your progress to see if your efforts are paying off. By implementing these strategies, you can improve your website’s visibility on Google and drive more traffic to your site.

9. Optimize for entities

Hummingbird also focuses on entities, which are real-world concepts or things that can be recognized by the algorithm. These include people, places, organizations, and things. By understanding the entities related to a query, Google can provide more accurate and relevant results.

To optimize for entities, you should make sure that your website is well-organized and that your content is clearly labeled and categorized. You should also use proper names and labels when referring to entities in your content, such as the name of a person or the location of a place. Additionally, you should use structured data to mark up your entities, such as using schema.org markup for people or organizations.

10. Optimize for voice search

Hummingbird also places a greater emphasis on voice search optimization. With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Siri, more and more users are turning to voice search to find what they’re looking for.

To optimize for voice search, you should use natural language in your content and focus on answering questions that users might ask. You should also use long-tail keywords, as they are more likely to match the intent behind a voice search query. Additionally, you should ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, as voice search is often used on mobile devices.

11. Optimize for featured snippets

Hummingbird also focuses on featured snippets, which are the answers that appear at the top of the search results for certain queries. These snippets are designed to provide quick and accurate answers to user questions, and they can drive a significant amount of traffic to a website.

To optimize for featured snippets, you should focus on creating content that answers specific questions that users might ask. You should also use structured data, such as schema.org markup, to help Google understand the context of your content. Additionally, you should use headings and subheadings to organize your content, as Google often uses these to determine what content to feature.

12. Optimize for knowledge graph

Hummingbird also focuses on the knowledge graph, which is a collection of data that Google uses to provide more accurate and relevant results. The knowledge graph includes information about entities, such as people, places, and things, as well as relationships between them.

To optimize for the knowledge graph, you should use structured data to mark up your entities and their relationships. You should also focus on creating high-quality and informative content that provides a comprehensive understanding of your entities. Additionally, you should build high-quality backlinks from authoritative websites that can help boost your website’s reputation and improve its visibility on Google.

In conclusion, optimizing for Google’s Hummingbird algorithm is a continuous process that requires a lot of attention to detail and a comprehensive understanding of the algorithm’s workings. By focusing on the key elements of Hummingbird optimization and implementing them on your website, you can improve your website’s visibility on Google and drive more traffic to your site. Remember to monitor and track your progress, and make adjustments as necessary to stay ahead of the competition.