Many of my colleagues know damn well that I could care LESS about SEO.

Seriously.

I haven’t done any keyword research since 2010. The only time I study any SEO stuff is when I’m doing it for other people.

I don’t give a damn about SEO.

I didn’t even bother to study what the Hummingbird algorithm was until a client paid me to do some research. (I’m going to unveil my scientific findings momentarily, but first let me rant like a crazy person).

Proof that I totally ignore SEO in 2014

SEO is unpredictable. And I have proof that I don’t care (even a little) about SEO.

See, MrComputerScience.com is really bad for ranking in search engines, but it’s still my favorite website to blog on.

I think I may have outsourced some relatively “blackhat” backlinks for my domain several years ago, and after deleting THOUSANDS of old posts from MrComputerScience.com that were automatically generated, I think this domain is pretty much penalized regarding any effective SEO implementation.

Why would I divulge this information? Well, as evidence. Evidence that I don’t care about SEO.

Even when I’ve effectively implemented SEO, there was no real benefit.

I remember I had a political blog once, (I want to create another one actually, since it’s one of the few things that I enjoy ranting about), that generated tens of thousands of hits per month.

The site was jamming.

But here’s the thing…

My SEO Powerhouse Didn’t Draw a Dime

I had a good Google PageRank, a ton of unique visitors, even a boatload of bloggers emailing me asking to guest post AND advertise on my blog (I think this was the only revenue I ever earned directly from the site).

But it still wasn’t worth anything. Unfortunately, it was hardly worth my time.

I guess the “technical” reason it failed, was because my server was overloaded with traffic, I didn’t feel like optimizing the site, and my host kept emailing me saying I was spending way too much CPU time.

Why I failed BECAUSE of Effective SEO

But the “real” reason it failed, was because I was too busy focusing on SEO and it took a lot of pleasure away from the website. I’d much prefer to write whatever the hell I want. That’s why SEO is kindof a non-priority for me.

Was this a bad decision in hindsight? Well probably. (Which is why I’m toying with the idea of starting a second political blog).

Rant aside, after conducting copious research I’ve decided to give my input on the Hummingbird Algorithm…

The Hummingbird Algorithm is actually pretty badass

Before I talk about the Google Hummingbird Algorithm, what it means, and how it effects you, let me first talk about how the Penguin and Panda updates were wildly different.

The Penguin/Panda algorithms updates were designed to eliminate “poor quality”, spammy, redundant, junk content.

Who can really complain with that?

Other than the tiny margin of bloggers / site owners that got slammed as a result, there’s really nothing bad to say about the Penguin / Panda algorithm updates.

Notice I’ve been emphasizing the word “update”? That’s because the Panda and Penguin updates were precisely that. Updates.

The Hummingbird Algorithm is something more dramatic

The Hummingbird algorithm is the future of search string analytics.

Google is trying to move away from “keyword” based search results, and move toward “human speech” based search results.

This should be to the delight of bloggers and content marketers. Now you can actually focus on writing content DESIGNED FOR HUMANS instead of content that’s designed for algorithms.

That was the main focus of the Hummingbird algorithm; to make search results more practical and based upon human speech patterns.

So instead of only analyzing keywords, the Hummingbird algorithm aims to understand precisely what the end-user is trying to say.

Want to DOMINATE the Hummingbird Algorithm? Do these steps.

Remember how I said the Hummingbird algorithm is all about “people talk”? They’re taking this to a new length with the Knowledge Graph. The Knowledge Graph is a widget that displays certain search results in a horizontal bar at the top of your screen.

If you were to Google “Pizza in Boston MA” you’ll see a really pretty display bar showing the best Pizza in Boston MA. This may have NEGATIVE IMPACT upon businesses that typically relied upon and claimed a good share of traffic from traditional Google results. (Those that previously claimed a lot of traffic from traditional Google results may now have less traffic because of the Knowledge Graph).

And here’s the point to all of this: Google is placing an INCREASED EMPHASIS on having a Google Plus page for your business. If you don’t have a Google Plus page, you will not be included in the Google Knowledge Graph search results, so they are pushing Google Plus like a mad man, and if you’re wise you’ll play ball.

Also, if you want to dominate the Hummingbird algorithm it’s absolutely ESSENTIAL that you learn how YOUR PROSPECTS talk. If you can figure out how they term their questions and search strings, you’ll statistically increase your odds of ranking for SEO now that speech recognition is a prime variable of consideration.

Hummingbird SEO Optimization is Easy

Hummingbird SEO optimization comes down to creating “real” organic content that’s designed primarily to help PEOPLE.

So, if you want to optimize your website for the Hummingbird algorithm, all you really have to do is create content that answers questions that your target demographic is likely to ask.

This takes the burden out of “keyword research” because the new Hummingbird “keyword research” is based upon practical speech patterns. So, those that tried to “rig the game” with keyword density may find their efforts totally nullified. Fine with me, since I don’t give a damn about SEO in the first place. 😉

I care more about you. A real human that enjoys my content.

And that’s why I think people like us will benefit the most from the Hummingbird algorithm.

Because we never forgot what really matters.

Not some stupid algorithm. Not keyword density. Not even keyword research.

It’s all about the people that enjoy, read, and share your content.

SEO can goto hell.

Later

Mike “The Anti-SEO Blogger” DeVincent

MrComputerScience.com