Source: Google Search Is A Lying Liar That Lies Hey everyone, and welcome back to [your podcast name], the podcast where we [your podcast description]. Today, we’re taking a trip back in time to 2014, the year of the “Ice Bucket Challenge,” Flappy Bird, and apparently, some questionable SEO advice. We’ll be dusting off an old article that claims Google Search, despite all its fancy algorithms, is actually a bit of a one-trick pony when it comes to ranking websites. Google's "One Weird Trick" Approach to SEO This article argues that Google relies on shockingly simple and literal interpretations of website content. Think basic keywords, clear formatting – the digital equivalent of yelling your message from a rooftop instead of subtly weaving it into a captivating story. But the question is, is this still true in 2024? Has Google finally learned some new tricks? Or are we all still stuck playing by the 2014 rules? The Enduring Power of Simplicity Back in 2014, the article preached the gospel of clear, concise language and strategic keyword placement. Page titles, meta descriptions, image alt tags, URLs – you name it, if Google could read it, it wanted it clear, concise, and packed with relevant keywords. But in today's world of voice search and AI-powered assistants, is this laser focus on keywords still relevant? Backlinks: Still a Currency of Credibility? One thing that hasn’t changed in the past decade? People still trust recommendations from others, especially when it comes from a reputable source. And guess what? Google's the same way! The article stresses the importance of earning high-quality backlinks from trustworthy websites as a way to boost your site’s credibility in Google's eyes. But in a world increasingly dominated by social media influencers and viral content, are backlinks still the gold standard of online authority? From Trend-Surfing to Evergreen Content The 2014 article suggests that hitching your wagon to breaking news was a surefire way to climb Google's rankings. But is Google still falling for this trick in 2024? Or has the search engine giant learned to prioritize evergreen content – the kind of in-depth, informative, and timeless pieces that keep people coming back for more? Outro So, there you have it – a blast from the past and a glimpse into the future of SEO. Join us next time on The Chris Abraham Show when we’ll Talk More Shit and Shinola. Until then, happy optimizing!