Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has become a cornerstone of digital marketing, helping businesses increase their online visibility and attract more customers. The journey of SEO is a fascinating one, starting from the early days of the internet and evolving alongside search engines like Google. Let’s explore how SEO has transformed over the years and what it means for businesses today.
1991: The First Website
The world’s first website, created by Tim Berners-Lee, goes live.
1994: Early Search Engines
Search engines Yahoo, AltaVista, Excite, and Lycos launch, marking the beginning of search engine optimisation.
1996: Backrub
Larry Page and Sergey Brin launch Backrub, the precursor to Google, which ranked links based on relevancy and popularity.
1997: SEO Term Coined
The term “SEO” is used, with Bob Heyman and Danny Sullivan among the first to utilise it in the context of search engine ranking.
1998: Google Founded
Google is officially founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, revolutionising the search engine industry.
2000: Google Toolbar
Google Toolbar is released, allowing users to perform searches directly from their browser, increasing the ease of access to search.
2003: Algorithm Changes
Google changes its algorithm to penalise keyword stuffing, marking the beginning of its fight against spammy practices.
2004: Crackdown on Invisible Text
Google begins penalising websites using invisible text, further refining the quality of search results.
2005: Low-Quality Links
Google targets low-quality links, improving the overall relevance and quality of search results.
2011: Panda Update
Google’s Panda update targets thin content and low-quality sites, significantly impacting search rankings.
2012: Penguin Update
The Penguin update is introduced to target webspam and manipulative link tactics.
2013: Hummingbird Update
The Hummingbird update enhances Google’s understanding of search queries, focusing on user intent.
2015: Mobilegeddon
Google’s Mobilegeddon update prioritises mobile-friendly websites in search results.
2015: RankBrain
Google announces RankBrain, an AI component that helps process search results and improves the understanding of user queries.
2018: Mobile-First Indexing
Google officially rolls out mobile-first indexing, prioritising mobile versions of websites for indexing and ranking.
2021: Page Experience Update
The Page Experience update is introduced, incorporating Core Web Vitals as ranking factors, emphasising user experience.
2024: March Core Update
Google’s March 2024 Core Update focuses on combating spammy, low-quality content, continuing its efforts to improve search quality.
The Current State of SEO
Today, SEO is about creating high-quality, relevant content that provides a great user experience. Key factors include:
- AI and machine learning
- Voice search optimisation
- Mobile responsiveness
- Adherence to the E-E-A-T principle (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
As search engines evolve, staying updated with the latest trends and algorithm changes is crucial for effective SEO.
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