Recently Google has released a new algorithmic solution for better search experience so that you can directly jump to the information you want right from the search snippets. It’s good news for web searchers, because they can get directly to what they are looking for. But, what’s in it for SEO experts and web designers?
New Google Search Snippet Explained
From a searcher viewpoint, when you enter a page with long textual content in it, a kind of “table of content” with links to subtopical sections within the same page can make navigation extremely easy at that page. At the top of the page, you realize what that page consists of, click on it and get to the information you want to read.
From Google viewpoint, the new algorithm has recently made it possible for different named anchors of your page (subtopic sections) to individually rank at search engine result pages (SERP). So, now you may look for something in Google and see that the Google search snippet (the descriptive sentences, phrases, etc under the title and above the URL) shows part of a webpage as a subotpic with a slightly different URL at the same page.
Such results are indicated by the phrase Jump to.
An Example of How Google Search Snippet Works!
I provide you with a list of search queries that all link to one webpage, but different topical sections of it:
- usual clothing in Iran
- tipping in Iran
- quality of foodstuff in Iran
- kinds of drinks in Iran
- electricity voltage in Iran
I think this example could show you to the heart of how Google search snippet functions. Without wasting time, you can jump to what you are looking for. But, there’s a great lesson here for the web designers, SEO experts, online marketers, etc.
An Amazing Strategy to Increase Search Engine Visibility
Now that you know how Google search snippet takes people directly to particular sections of some webpages, here’s some SEO tips you can use to get benefits from this new algorithmic solution to increase search engine visibility:
- Plan to write comprehensive long articles, posts, textual content for your site/blog.
- Divide your content into several suptopics, headings, etc.
- Create named anchors to identify sections on your page.
- Write a descriptive phrase for each section.
- Make sure you use your keywords at these name anchors.
Such strategy could be implemented at FAQ pages, Help pages, About Me Page, etc as well. You can use this strategy at any page with lots of information that could be categorized fall into subtopics.
Benefits of Dividing a Page into Several Sections
When you click on a link in such pages with named anchors, the URL of the page changes somewhat: the anchor text is added to the page URL. So, it is treated like a different page. So, your the page with such named anchors is seemingly divided into several other pages. When you include a keyphrase at each subtopic and write extensively about it under that subtopic, because it’s linked from the top of the page, an internal linking is also enhanced within the page. It will also include the keyword in it.
So, when you write about a general topic and divide it into several subtopic, each with a different keyphrase, the page is divided into several subpages that could help you increase search engine visibility for that page. What happens, at the end of the day, will be to get ranked for different subtopics of the same page. Consequently chances increase for that page to show up in the SERP due to the different sections individually ranking highly for their own keyphrases.
Eventually, you add to the search engine visibility of your pages by implementing such strategy.
How to Create Links to Named Anchors
The “Jump to” works like this:
I bring you an example from my service page: http://www.site-booster.com/site-booster-services.html:
At the first table for the One-Time Setup, there are 5 steps. Take “Website Check-Up” as a link that you can click on and jump to the definition.
The definition is your Anchored Name that you name it something (e,g: checkup) and create such an html for it:
<a name=”checkup” id=”checkup”></a>
Then, link the “Website Check-Up” at the first line of the table to #checkup as below:
<a href=”#checkup”> 1. Website Check-up</a>
Well, it’s done as easy as that. I hope it’s clear.
good to see that SEO and good semantic markup / layout meet once again
thanks for posting.
Good write up and thanks for providing because me too did the same way as you described after learning from Maile Ohye explanations (YouTube video).
thanks for the input and explaining some points. i am quite new to all this SEO for your website and must admit half the time my head is spinning with it all. I never realized how much effort you have to put in to make even a decent change of getting a good rank with search engines and in particular Google. One question if you don’t mind folks. Will writing many blogs a week help my site get going up the list in Google,and how long does it usually take for this to happen? thanks again. Carl
@MR C S,
Blogging is a good idea, but not the only step to get higher search engine rankings. To have a broad view of the range of steps that you can take, you can read one of my posts called How to Increase Search Engine Ranking
The usage of internet has not only provided the people with easy means for communication and information, and has presented a new opportunity for businesses to advertise and promote their product. With this, more and more business are crowding in the virtual world, trying to catch the attention of their target audience. The situation then required the need for ranking the websites in order of relevance to users’ searches. The competition has necessitated the exploration and use of a lot of techniques to be visible and remain visible in search engine results page. Such methods are usually qualified under the search engine optimization or SEO.
hello, i am really new to this one… how can i put jump to link? should i add a script to my site? or should i put a code? to show the snippet? please advice
Dear rhea, thanks for your question. As WordPress, by default blocks certain html codes and changes some of them, I cannot reply to this comment. Instead, I’ve added the explanation to the end of the post so that others cna have easier access to it as well. Your question caused the post to become more useful for everyone else.
Thanks for following up your question. I appreciate it. Keep coming back and commenting.
It’s very helpful to intent searcher to find appropriate results.
well done by googleto.
Excellent post, Rahman. One point it should make clear to everyone is that the copy on your website should be diverse. Just as diversity in thought makes for a better business or stronger community, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to SEO or keeping visitors satisfied.
Each page of your website must be designed for maximum usability pertaining to the subject matter of that page and the anticipated user of the information of the page.
As you mentioned in your post, an FAQ page works best with a Table of Contents. So do “case study” pages or “story” pages about your company. Other pages are better served by strong graphics and only a minimum of copy.
Design your page content around the best use of the page and the anticipated user and you will have a stronger website that Google will see fit to raise higher in the rankings.
Thanks a lot. i am gonna try this on this web. See if it works. I see its appearing on many searches.
Thanks for the tips. Never know that SEO can be done in such a way. Bookmarked. Will revisit and implement the techniques to see how well they work.
Excellent post..Keep them coming
I love your site and marketing strategy. Check out my website if you get a chance, just click on name. Thanks for sharing.
Hi there,
I like your website and will contact you soon.
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