What Is Semantic Search?

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Google releases regular updates that shake up the algorithm and shift the focus back onto the user. Recent algorithm updates have introduced a new concept commonly known as semantic search.

Any business with an online presence should prioritize SEO to grow organic traffic and keep up to date with Google’s preferences. Stay with us as we explore the concept of semantic search, how it works, and its impact on SEO.

What Is Semantic Search?

Semantic search describes the process that search engines use to understand the intent and contextual meaning of a search term. Based on this understanding of natural human language, the search engine delivers the most relevant results.

Essentially, semantic search aims to understand why a user is searching for a specific term and provide the most accurate search results.

For example, if a user types “book a haircut,” the results will indicate local hair salons, interpreting the intent to be that the user wants to make an appointment at a hair salon near them.

On the other hand, if a user types “DIY fringe,” then the results will indicate a tutorial on how to cut bangs, interpreting the intent differently.

How Does Semantic Search Work?

Google uses semantic search to deliver the best results possible, prioritizing user experience.

Semantic search combines user intent, context, and conceptual meanings to match a query with the correct results. By pushing into semantic search, Google refines its processes in the following ways:

• Disqualifies low-quality content
• Produces answers to questions to appear as a snippet or top result

Impact of Semantic Search on SEO

The increased focus on semantic search impacts how businesses approach SEO, shifting the attention to certain features, such as the following:

Voice Search

Mobile voice commands have grown in popularity, with 27% of the global online population using voice search on mobile. SEO content needs to be optimized and get directly to the point.

The behind-the-scenes data should be structured to better help search engines understand the context of your content and understand how it meets user intent.

Search By Topic

Keywords are no longer as important as the topic that they describe. To better understand user intent, Google is assessing the broad topic and deducting the meaning and intention behind the search terms.

Instead of creating multiple, hyper-niche pages, content creators can benefit from creating more comprehensive resources that offer valuable information on a topic.

Searcher Intent Leads The Charge

Rather than focus on specific keywords, it’s better to focus on the intention surrounding the keyword. Businesses should examine the queries that drive traffic to the website and build content surrounding these topics.

It helps to create a list of keywords and separate them by user intent, using these guidelines to give users the answers they are looking for on the search engine.

Prioritize User Experience

Google cares about the user experience and rewards websites that meet user needs. That’s why Google constantly fine-tunes its algorithm to better satisfy people using the search engine.

SEO professionals should focus on user experience and optimize the web page whenever possible.

Methods to Optimize Semantic SEO

Semantic SEO should be used alongside technical SEO. The following tips will optimize Google’s understanding of your website’s content:

• Include keywords in your title tags, URL, body, header tags, and meta tags
• Build authoritative backlinks and build content that attracts links
• Use Schema markup to highlight the website’s structure
• Remove redirects when possible
• Optimize website speed

SEO Professionals You Can Trust

Staying up to date with Google’s algorithms can be time-consuming. That’s where our professional SEO team comes in. By taking charge of your SEO strategy, businesses have more time to focus on marketing and business development.

Are you ready to get started? Give us a call at 877-816-2259 to find out more.