The world of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is changing. With Google’s release of its new search algorithm (Hummingbird) in late 2013, and with some other changes lingering on the horizon, the “old” method of SEO is a thing of the past. That is why Imagine That’s co-founder and resident SEO/SEM expert, Jeff McElhattan, recently attended the Search Marketing Expo – SMX West in San Jose, CA. With over 60 sessions, keynotes and clinics on paid search, SEO, Social Media Marketing (SMM) and mobile search with authorities in the industry, SMX West provided Jeff with the tools to keep Imagine That’s SEO plans on the cutting edge of the SEO industry.

“There were two major take-aways from SMX for me,” says McElhattan. “First, the confirmation that Imagine That is doing things right. As soon as Hummingbird dropped, we adjusted how we did SEO. Second, there are a lot of new things we can do to dramatically improve our client’s performance in search.”

Without delving too deeply into the specifics, the world is changing in how it performs online searches and search engines are now responding to those changes with more emphasis on the relationship between keywords and their use in semantic searches. Searchmetrics’ Marcus Tober expands upon this notion that “Google is trying to understand complex entities to understand and answer questions” with its semantic search algorithm. “Google is also trying to understand desire or intent in search queries” to provide relevant search results for the user.

Think what you will about this “brave new world” (maybe this is some sort of Artificial Intelligence), but this change to a semantic style of search query means that modifications need to be made in how we perform our SEO. The future of SEO is already upon us, so everything from on-site optimization to external SEO activities need to adapt to this new method of search queries for your business to show up well in search results.

“We heard directly from officers from Google, Bing, and Search Engine Land regarding responsive design websites, best practices for mobile search optimization and more. Look for white papers from Imagine That in the weeks to come,” McElhattan said. “We have a number of new marketing products and services we will be launching in April.”

So, what will this mean for Imagine That’s clients? Don’t worry, as we will be rolling out our new SEO activities over the next few weeks so that your plans will be the latest and greatest out there. Jeff has now acquired the latest knowledge and tactics to improve our clients’ marketing performances. Look for an email in the coming weeks that will explain all of this to you, and hopefully provide you with a greater insight into what your new plans will look like. Imagine That has our clients’ interests in mind and will continue to keep up-to-date on all the major changes in the future.

Search marketing (organic and paid) is undergoing dramatic changes. We expect to hear of another major revision to Hummingbird within the next month. SEO, and content marketing strategies can no longer be an afterthought. Businesses must become intentional and strategic with how they engage with customers online.

If your online marketing efforts are not achieving the results that you would like to see, Imagine That is now armed with an arsenal of new activities and practices that are sure to deliver the outcome you are looking for. We take the guesswork out of it all and would love the chance to become your digital marketing provider. Contact us at 970-224-1930 or shoot us an email at for more information. We are always dreaming bigger and look forward to hearing about your project!

By

Barry Rubenstein

Imagine That: Dream Bigger!

Digital Marketing Strategist

Breckenridge, Colorado

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